Broadbell leads Jamaican successes in the Bahamas
SEVERAL OF the country’s top senior athletes continued their preparation for the 2023 track and field season over the past weekend at the NACAC New Life Invitational meet at the Grand Bahamas Sport Complex in Freeport, Bahamas.
Leading a list of four wins from the Jamaicans way Commonwealth Games 110-metre hurdles champion, Rasheed Broadbell. Broadbell was impressive in winning the 110-metre hurdle in a season’s best and world number two-ranked time of 13.10 seconds. Eric Edwards of the United States was second in 13.42, while Jamaicans, Damion Thomas, 13.52, and Hansle Parchment, 13.65, were third and fourth, respectively.
Shashalee Forbes, Megan Tapper, and Rushell Clayton were the other Jamaican winners.
Forbes, who has been returning to her best form in several years, raced to a season’s best 11.17 seconds to capture the Women’s 100 metres, with countrywomen, Kemba Nelson, 11.27, and Tia Clayton, 11.31, finishing second and third.
Tapper also enjoyed a season’s best in the 100-metre hurdles, as well as picking up her first win of the year with a 12.74-second clocking. Amoi Brown, 12.81, was well back in second, while Ebony Morrison of Liberia was third in 12.84.
World Athletics Championships finalist, Clayton, captured the women’s 400-metre hurdles in 54.41 seconds. She finished ahead of Cassandra Tate of the United States, 54.68, and Andrenette Knight, 55.12. Ronda Whyte took fourth in 55.83 seconds.
Charokee Young was second in the women’s 400 metres, clocking 50.45 seconds, while teammate, Stacy Ann Williams, was fourth in 51.04 seconds. Aliyah Abrams of Guyana won the event in 50.20 seconds.
Rusheen McDonald, the national record holder in the 400 metres, clocked 45.26 seconds for the runner-up spot in the event behind the United States’ Trevor Stewart, 44.92. Alonso Russell of the Bahamas was third in 45.52 seconds.
Former national champion, Demish Gaye, had to settle for fourth in 45.74 seconds.
Rojay Hamilton clocked one minute, 47.71 seconds for second place in the men’s 800 metres, finishing behind Kenton Jones of the United States, 1:47.66.
Lushane Wilson was third in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.21 metres. Donald Thomas of the Bahamas won with a clearance of 2.26.