Jamaicans chase glory at SEC Championships

Several of the country's senior athletes attending colleges overseas will be hunting glory over the next three days, starting today, when the Outdoor Division One Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships get under way at the Hutsell-Rosen Track and Field Stadium at Auburn University.

Regarded as the most competitive conference among collegiate athletes in track and field in the United States, three Jamaicans are ranked number one going into the championships, with two in the field events and one on the track.

Former Calabar High School half-miler Rivaldo Marshall, representing the University of Arkansas, is the top seed in the men's 800m with 1:44.15 and will be hoping to improve on his third-place finish last year. Jamaican athletes will also be hoping for a one-two finish, as Marshall's teammate Tyrice Taylor, the former Enid Bennett High School athlete, is ranked number two with a season’s best 1:44.74.

Following a one-two finish last year, former St Jago High School thrower Ralford Mullings and Edwin Allen High School’s Trevor Gunzell will be hoping for the same in the men's discus. Mullings, of the University of Oklahoma, leads with 65.97m, while Gunzell, of the University of Arkansas, is second with 62.57m.

Jumper Jordan Turner of Louisiana State University (LSU), formerly of Calabar High School, goes into the men's long jump as the event leader with a season’s best 8.08 metres.

Former Holmwood Technical High School thrower Cedricka Williams is the best-placed Jamaican female going into the championships, as the University of Tennessee athlete, with a season’s best 60.76m, is ranked number three in the women's discus.

Dejanea Oakley, Saleici Myles and Abigail Wolfe are all ranked number four in their respective events and will be eyeing top-three finishes.

Oakley, the former Clarendon College quarter-miler, who finished fourth last year in the women's 400m before pulling off a major upset to win the event at the National Championships, will be hoping to go all the way here, where she is ranked fourth with 50.55 seconds.

Competing for the University of Georgia, Oakley will face the likes of Ella Onojuvwevwo of LSU, the event leader with 49.80, Sanaria Butler of the University of Arkansas with 49.86, and her teammate Kaylyn Brown with 50.09.

Myles, the former Rusea’s High School sprint hurdler, competing for LSU, is ranked number four in the women's 100m hurdles with 12.92, while Wolfe, a former Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls athlete, representing the University of Texas, is fourth-ranked in the women's 100m with 11.01.