Shericka Jackson returns to glory, Seville claims first national crown
Key Points(5)
- Jackson, returning to the 100m for the first time this season, produced a composed championship performance to overtake defending champion Tina Clayton and stop the clock at 10.81 seconds.
- The victory marked her return to the top of the national sprint rankings and made her the 12th Jamaican woman this season to break the 11-second barrier.
- Clayton, who entered the race as the reigning champion, pushed hard and finished second in 10.85 seconds, while Jonielle Smith completed the podium with a personal-best 10.94 seconds for an MVP sweep of the podium places.
- Former champion Elaine Thompson-Herah did not compete in the final after placing third in her semi-final.
- On the men’s side, Seville lived up to his favourite status, powering home in a season’s best 9.82 seconds to secure his first national senior 100m title.
The second day of the 2026 JAAA/Puma Jamaica National Senior and Junior Championships belonged to Jamaica’s sprint royalty as Shericka Jackson reclaimed the women’s 100 meters title and Oblique Seville captured his first senior national crown in the men’s event at the National Stadium on Friday night.
Jackson, returning to the 100m for the first time this season, produced a composed championship performance to overtake defending champion Tina Clayton and stop the clock at 10.81 seconds. The victory marked her return to the top of the national sprint rankings and made her the 12th Jamaican woman this season to break the 11-second barrier.
Clayton, who entered the race as the reigning champion, pushed hard and finished second in 10.85 seconds, while Jonielle Smith completed the podium with a personal-best 10.94 seconds for an MVP sweep of the podium places.
Former champion Elaine Thompson-Herah did not compete in the final after placing third in her semi-final.
On the men’s side, Seville lived up to his favourite status, powering home in a season’s best 9.82 seconds to secure his first national senior 100m title.
The world champion was followed by 19-year-old Gary Card, who announced himself on the national stage with a junior record 9.93 seconds. Ackeem Blake took third in 9.94 seconds, while Nishon Ebanks narrowly missed the podium after running 9.99 seconds.
Young sprinters set the tone before senior stars shine
Before Jamaica’s biggest names took center stage, the next generation of sprinters delivered several standout performances.
Malayia Duncan, competing unattached, claimed the Under-18 girls’ 100m title in 11.82 seconds. Edwin Allen High’s Daniela Clarke finished second in 11.87 seconds, with Mount Alvernia High’s Veneisha Pottinger third in 11.93 seconds.
Holland High’s Shanoya Douglas continued her excellent season by producing a strong comeback victory in the Under-20 girls’ final. Douglas recovered from a slow start to defeat Theianna-Lee Terrelonge of Uptimum Track Club, clocking 11.08 seconds. Terrelonge crossed second in 11.18 seconds, while Wolmer’s Girls’ Natrece East was third in 11.46 seconds.
Jamaica College dominated the boys’ sprint divisions, securing victories in both the Under-18 and Under-20 finals.
Kai Kelly won the Under-18 race in 10.50 seconds ahead of teammate Tylee Morgan, who ran 10.59 seconds. Excelsior High’s Michael Graham placed third in 10.64 seconds.
In the Under-20 event, Nathaniel Martin claimed gold in 10.37 seconds, edging training partner Dantae Watson, who finished in 10.39 seconds. Kingston College’s Nyrone Wade was third in 10.43 seconds, while overseas-based Justin Stewart, the son of former national sprint stars Raymond Stewart and Beverley McDonald, placed fourth in 10.46 seconds.
Tracey keeps Commonwealth dream alive with 1500m defence
National 1500m record holder Adelle Tracey completed the first step of her championship mission by successfully defending her title.
Tracey, who owns a season-best 4:07.32 minutes from the Drake Relays in May, controlled Friday’s final and crossed the line in 4:40.08 minutes to claim her third national 1500m championship.
High school standout Annastaseca Blackwood of Sydney Pagon finished second in 4:46.53 minutes, while Jodian Walker was third in 6:12.41 minutes.
The British-born middle-distance athlete will now turn her attention to Saturday’s 800m, where she hopes to secure qualification for both events at the Commonwealth Games.
The men’s 1500m title went to Amiel Thomas of G C Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, who won in 4:13.69 minutes. Racers Track Club’s Lamario Wright was second in 4:15.92 minutes, followed by Bethlehem Teachers College’s Aldain Brown in 4:23.20 minutes.
Miller produces breakthrough run in 400m hurdles thriller
Hydel High’s Robert Miller delivered one of the most impressive performances of the night, breaking through in the Under-20 boys’ 400m hurdles with a personal-best 49.96 seconds.
The run improved his previous mark of 50.31 seconds and placed him among the world’s leading junior hurdlers. Miller’s performance also secured his place on Jamaica’s team for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Kingston College’s Jahvanie Tyrell joined him on the squad after finishing strongly to edge William Knibb Memorial’s Joshua Wint. Both athletes recorded 50.27 seconds.
The girls’ Under-20 hurdles title went to Edwin Allen High’s Marria Crossfield, who clocked 58.59 seconds. She defeated Shevaughn Thomas of Life University (59.49), while Hydel’s Nastassia Fletcher finished third in 1:00.55 minutes.
Field events and quarter-mile battles add more drama
Kingston College’s Nkosana Johnson captured the Under-20 boys’ shot put title with a mark of 18.11m. Calabar High’s Kamari Kennedy followed with 17.76m, while Munro College’s Javontae Smith was third at 17.52m.
Jamaica College also secured another field-event victory through Xhaevion Kelly, who won the Under-18 boys’ shot put with 18.31m. Munro’s Brandon Lawrence placed second with 17.61m, while Jamaica College’s Nasir D’Aguilar was third with 17.15m.
Holmwood Technical’s Shamanda Wilmot added another junior title to the evening by winning the Under-18 girls’ javelin with a throw of 43.55m.
The men’s 400m final lineup was also confirmed, with Delano Kennedy leading the qualifiers after running 45.42 seconds. Javeir Brown followed closely in 45.44 seconds, with Zandrion Barnes (46.14) and 2023 world champion Antonio Watson (46.21) also advancing.
In the women’s 400m, Stacey-Ann Williams secured the fastest qualifying time after winning her semi-final in 51.45 seconds.
Junior quarter-mile stars set up Sunday showdown
The Under-20 400m finals promise to be among Sunday’s most anticipated races after a competitive set of semi-finals.
Kingston College’s Jason Pitter, an ISSA Championships and Carifta Games gold medallist, led the qualifiers after running 47.05 seconds.
Excelsior High’s Jaeden Campbell advanced with 47.53 seconds, while William Knibb Memorial’s Jabari Matheson recorded 47.85 seconds. Kingston College’s Jabulani McLeod also progressed with 48.58 seconds.
Other qualifiers included Titchfield High’s Nishawn Walker (47.60), Clarendon College’s Jelani Monteith (47.95), William Knibb’s Joshua Wint (48.03), and St Elizabeth Technical’s John Mark Campbell (48.44).
In the Under-20 girls’ 400m, Daniellia Dixon set the pace with a personal-best 53.47 seconds.
Foga Road High’s Shameika McLean, Jamaica’s fastest schoolgirl over the distance this season with 52.22 seconds, also advanced after running 53.90.
With national titles secured, records falling, and junior contenders emerging, day two delivered exactly what the championships promised, a showcase of Jamaica’s sprint dominance and the depth of its next generation of track stars.
