Ackera Nugent is ready

Even with last year’s World Athletics Championships runner-up Britany Anderson sidelined by injury, the 100 metres hurdles will be one of the most compelling events at the July 6-9 JAAA National Championships. The 2021 World under-20 champion Ackera Nugent missed the Nationals last year but this time she is ready.

Her last race was a victory at the NCAA Championships for the University of Arkansas, and she is the fastest Jamaican of 2023 at 12.43 seconds.

“It’s a really good feeling to see that I’ve trusted the process on my journey, and I didn’t give up because of an injury and to see, like, how far I’ve come when everybody counted me out. It’s just really great to see that I’m not only making my coaches proud but I’m also making the goals that I have come true, so it’s just like a really good feeling,” she said yesterday.

The 21-year-old will have to overcome a pair of accomplished veterans, 2015 World Champion Danielle Williams and Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper. She is approaching the encounter with respect but no fear.

“The most important thing for me is that I know that I’m ready. I have one of the best coaches there is and the most important thing for me is to follow the instructions that he gives me and also finish healthy,” the former Excelsior High School standout said with reference to Arkansas coach Chris Johnson.

“I’m not afraid to compete,” she declared. “I don’t care, like, what you have accomplished and what you have done. I know how good I am and I have to remain confident in myself and just go out there and compete to the best of my ability,” Nugent asserted.

ROUNDING INTO FORM

Williams, who also won the bronze medal in 2019 before reaching last year’s final, and Tapper are rounding into form. Williams clocked 12.59 at the end of May, and appears on the world performance list at number 11, while Tapper is number 18 with a best time of 12.74 seconds.

Two other Jamaican women – 2022 world under-20 champion Kerrica Hill and Demisha Roswell – have also surpassed the World Championships qualifying time of 12.78 seconds so far in 2023.

Nugent won the NCAA title with a steely focus on herself.

“No matter what lane you’re in, no matter who you’re against, it just takes the person who is more focused on their lane,” she said. “I was like ‘they ain’t going to beat me today. I’m the best in the field and I’m going to prove that I’m the best in the field’.”

Behind her was American Alia Armstrong who was fourth in the World Championships final last year.

Williams and Tapper have six Jamaican national titles between them, with Tapper scoring most recently in 2021. If all three are in top form next week, the 100-metre hurdles will be a delight to watch.