MVP’s Jackson, Watson secure national 100m titles with PB

DEFENDING CHAMPION Shericka Jackson took the spotlight in the women’s 100 metres final as she produced a massive personal best (PR) to retain her title in a personal best and world-leading 10.65 seconds at the JAAA/Puma MCGES National Senior and Junior Athletics Championships inside the National Stadium last night.

“I think this year I put in a lot of work, especially on the start,” said Jackson, whose previous fastest time was 10.71 seconds. “I’m a strong finisher and I wanted to fix the start. I think I did that tonight and it resulted in 10-six. Last year I wanted to run 10-six but nothing happens before the time.”

Commenting on ways to improve, Jackson said: “I think the ending needs a little fixing. I think I made a slight misstep and coach (Stephen Francis) and I’ve been working on the turnovers. Coming from a quarter-miler to a 100-metre runner was really, really difficult because of the stride pattern, but I think I’m getting it, and I think I did pretty good tonight, I can’t complain. A big personal best, so I’m grateful.”

Shashalee Forbes finished second in a personal best 10.96 seconds, with Jackson’s MVP teammate, Natasha Morrison, third in a season best 10.98. Briana Williams was fourth in 11.01 seconds.

The rounds seemed to have taken a toll on back-to-back double Olympic sprint champion, Elaine Thompson Herah, who has had injury problems and very little preparation this season. She placed finished fifth in a season best 11.06 seconds.

Rohan Watson maintained MVP’s dominance on the marquee sprint event, as he created a major upset to win the men’s event with a massive personal best, 9.91 seconds. Watson’s fastest run prior was 9.98 seconds.

“Rohan Watson is just a hardworking athlete, very determined ... hard work has paid off, 9.91,” said Watson.

He noted that following coaching instructions from Francis paid dividends.

“He said I had to fix my start, it wasn’t perfect and he said I had to lift my knees because they weren’t going up,” Watson noted.

Ryiem Forde also landed a personal best of 9.96 seconds for second place, while Oblique Seville of Racers and Ackeem Blake of Titans Track Club, the two fastest Jamaicans coming into the trials, had to settle for third and fourth, respectively, in 10.00 and 10.01 seconds.