This Week in NACAC: NACAC Athletes sparkle at Championships

EDITORIAL

As the global athletics family prepares for the World Athletics Outdoor Championships in a few weeks, NACAC’s athletes continue to showcase the high level of their preparations and readiness for the big event.

From the very first set of finals at some of the national championships, we have seen significant upsets, especially in Jamaica and the USA. These came as a sort of foreboding of what unfolded over the next few days.

The already amazing results can only augur well for the big event in Eugene since it is expected that some of those upset winners would likely be in better shape by the time the championships begin. It is also possible that some of those who have lost at their championships may have a longer-term plan that is designed for them to peak at the Worlds, turning the tables on those who won at the Nationals. This is what makes for the exciting build-up to the World Championships in Eugene, next month.

NACAC President, Mike Sands continues to highlight the fact that “our Area has a reputation for being among the very best in the sport of athletics. We are hosting the World Outdoors in the USA for the very first time and so all of our very best athletes want to showcase their immense talent before the home crowd”.

Several of the Area’s elite athletes have already publicly declared their commitment to the Championships and eagerness to deliver remarkable performances.

The USA was the winner of the bid to host the World Outdoors of 2005 but had to withdraw, leaving the then IAAF to seek a host in a relatively short time, eventually accepting Helsinki, Finland’s offer.

NACAC Athletes sparkle at Championships

Across the Area, several member federations have been engaged in their respective national championships, the official trials for selecting athletes for their national teams to the World Athletics Outdoor Championships, scheduled for the Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon, during the period, 15 – 24 July.

From Canada in the north to Trinidad and Tobago, in the South, athletes were engaged in competitive action, all vying to represent their respective countries and member federations.

At the Jamaica Nationals, on the women’s side, Tokyo Olympics 100m bronze medallist, Shericka Jackson, a former 400m runner, like Kerley of the US, turned in two amazing and upsetting performances.

Jackson set the stadium alight on Sunday with a blistering 21.55 seconds, the third-fastest time in history behind the performances of Florence Griffith-Joyner of 21.77 in 1988 and Elaine Thompson-Herah’s 21.53 set at last year’s Tokyo Olympics.

Jackson’s remarkable feat saw her leave Elaine Thompson (22.05) and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (22.14), in her wake. The performance not only stunned the runners in the final but the entire national stadium and sent ripples across the country.

Earlier at the Nationals, Jackson upset the field to win the 100m in 10.77. Kemba Nelson, pushed herself into the second position in 10.88, just edging defending double Olympic Champion, Elaine Thompson-Herah on the line.

The performance in the women’s 100m occurred in the absence of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, known to be a force with whom the very best would have to reckon in Eugene. She has already produced a 10.67 for the year.

At the Toyota USATF Trials, held at the same venue as the scheduled World Championships, former 400m runner, Fred Kerley, won the 100m with a time of 9.77, ahead of Marvin Bracy (9.85) and Trayvon Bromell (9.88), respectively.

Rather interestingly, Kerley set himself up for a critical role in the World Championships 100m by becoming the world leader for the event with a 9.76 performance in the semi-finals.

The women’s 100 proved quite interesting when Sha’Carri Richardson, of whom much was expected, failed to get beyond the first round. It was Melissa Jefferson who led the field home in an upset (10.69), a new meet record, ahead of Aleia Hobbs (10.72) and Twanisha Terry (10.74) .

The Jamaica men’s 100m saw a familiar face return to form. Johann Blake, something of a disappointment over the past several years, especially after all of the promise he had shown, won the 100m in 9.85, with Oblique Seville (9.88) and Ackeem Blake (9.93) in close order.

Committed to completing the same feat as his compatriot, Shericka Jackson, Yohan Blake fell short when he had to play second fiddle to Andrew Hudson (20.20) in the 200m final, completing the distance in 20.31, with Nigel Ellis third in 20.41.

In the men’s 400m Jevaughn Powell won in 45.50, ahead of Nathon Allen (45.64) and Anthony Cox (45.65). Rasheed Broadbell finished second (13.20) and Orlando Bennett (13.28).

Not to be outdone, the athletes of The Bahamas, proved that they are getting ready for Eugene’s hosting of the World’s. Shaunae Miller-Uibo achieved the double, winning the 200m (22.32), ahead of Anthonique Strachan (22.59 and TyNia Gaither (23.19) respectively. She retained her 400m title, crossing the finish line in 52.62 seconds. She was followed home by Megan Moss (53.28) and Javonya Valcourt (55.24) respectively.

Steven Gardiner won the 400m in 45.22, with Alonzo Russell (46.41) and Bradley Dormeus (46.70) following.

El Salvador

El Salvador was also among the list of NACAC member federations whose National took place over the weekend.

The Salvadoran Athletics Federation’s National Championship and the U13 and U15 Tournament were held at the facilities of the athletic track of the University of El Salvador (UES) and the Armed Forces Transmission Support Command (CATFA). ) in San Salvador.

A total of 275 athletes belonging to 33 clubs and national teams, including athletes from the El Salvador Paralympic Committee (COPESA) and eight (8) Guatemalan Athletics Clubs contested the schedule of 58 events.

One (1) new national record was set in the senior category. Pablo Ibáñez achieved a time of 1:50.85, in the 800m. The previous record was 1:51.81, established by George Vincent Erazo, on 26 June 2021.

Nicaragua

The Nicaraguan Athletics Federation, which hosted the Central American U18 and U20 Youth Athletics Championships during the period, 17 – 19 June, on 25 and 26 June, organized the festival of speed in the following categories: U11, U13, U15, U18, U20 and Senior. within the framework of the country’s celebration of Olympic Week,

Also, on Sunday 26 June, the federation concluded the XXV international 30Km ‘El Replego’ road race, Managua – Masaya.

At the Festival there were 58 girls and 61 boys involved in the competition. Approximately 500 athletes participated in the Refolding Race (150 women and 350 men).

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Student-athletes from St Vincent and the Grenadines participated in the Jamaica Trials over the weekend.

In the 100m, Mckish Compton achieved a performance of 10.43, with Javon Rawlins (10.47) and Sage Primus (10.79), following.

In the 200m, Sage Primus (21.55) and Jabari Michael-Khensu (21.93), were the participants.

US-based, Shafiqua Maloney, contested both the 400m (52.29) and 800m (2:03.62) respectively.

She Runs – She Leads – Webinar #2

NACAC’s Gender Leadership Commission is encouraging its member federations to participate in the second of three webinars in the World Athletics, She Runs-She Leads Series. This one is entitled, Upgrade your Personal Brand & Image as a Leader in Sport

The webinar, scheduled for Thursday 7 July 2022, is presented twice:

10.00 Paris Time (French Translation provided)

16.00 Paris Time (Spanish Translation provided)

The facilitator of the webinar is Gabriela Mueller Mendoza, an accredited professional, and one of the most well-known empowering voices in coaching and training in the world of sports.

According to World Athletics, Gabriela’s session will be interactive, professional, applicable, and engaging. The webinar is designed to:

In this live and dynamic Online Bootcamp with Coach Gabriela Mueller, you will: Raise awareness about what your Personal Brand is already saying about you

Determine the fundamentals of creating and strengthening your personal brand in your network – an important post-Covid update since networking practices evolved in 2022

Discover the top 5 New Rules of career advancement and personal branding within the sports industry

Discover how the brand “YOU” can strive for the balance between being competent and also relatable.