Williams, Nkrumie win gold in U23 100m at NACAC Champs

Jamaica won both the men’s and women’s Under-23 100 metres  on yesterday’s opening day of the three-day NACAC Under-18 and Under-23 Track and Field Championships in  Mexico.
Lavanya Williams captured the women’s event while Bouwahjgie Nkrumie stormed to victory  in the men’s race.
Williams, who has been one of the breakout athletes this season, gave Jamaica its first individual gold medal on the track when she won in a wind-assisted 10.91 seconds (2.1m/s), just above the allowable limit. It was a Jamaican one-two as national junior 100m record holder Alana Reid finished second in 11.05 while Puerto Rico’s Frances Colen took bronze in 11.23.
Nkrumie, aided by a 2.7m/s tailwind, was an easy winner in 9.92. It was another Jamaican one-two as Damor Miller finished second in 10.03 while Puerto Rico’s Adrian Gonzales was third in 10.08.
Jamaica’s Malayia Duncan and Kai Kelly had to settle for silver in the women’s and men’s Under-18 100m. Duncan finished second in 11.54 as the Bahamas’ Jazae Johnson won gold in 11.42. Costa Rica’s Rihana Mora Saint claimed bronze in 11.59, while Jamaica’s Daniela Clarke finished sixth in 11.76.
Kelly was edged into second in the boys’ Under-18 final, clocking 10.34 behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Makiti Guischaria Yearwood, who won in 10.33. J’Quan Douglas of Trinidad and Tobago was third, while Jamaica’s Tyler Morgan finished sixth in 10.57.
Jamaica also struck gold in both the Under-18 and Under-23 mixed 4x400m relays.
The Under-18 quartet of Jaedan Campbell, Alikay Reynolds, Raheim McIntosh and Madison Campbell won in 3:27.04, ahead of Mexico (3:31.50) and the Bahamas (3:33.46).
The Under-23 team of Antonio Forbes, Oneika Brissett, Jasuan Dennis and Leanna Lewis also topped the podium, winning in 3:22.36, ahead of Puerto Rico (3:26.91) and Mexico (3:27.99).
In  field events, Zavien Bernard won gold in the women’s Under-18 triple jump with a leap of 12.73m, while Joseph Salmon captured the men’s Under-23 discus title with a throw of 57.19m.
Twin sisters Britannie  and Britannia Johnson secured silver and bronze, respectively, in the women’s Under-23 discus. Britannie threw 52.58m for second, while Britannia recorded 51.72m for third. Trinidad and Tobago’s Latanii Grant won gold with 53.72m.
Zoeyann Plummer picked up silver in the women’s Under 18 discus with a throw of 44.25m while teammate,Jamie Lee Tulloch was fifth with 33.52m.
On the track, Jamaica also looked strong in the 400m semi-finals with several athletes advancing to today’s finals.
In the women’s Under-18 event, Shameka McLean is the second fastest qualifier after clocking 54.82 while Danielle Dixon is third fastest with 54.93.
Jason Pitter is the fastest qualifier in the men’s Under-18 400m after winning his heat in 46.74 while teammate Joshua Rehadul is third overall with 48.79.
Jasuan Dennis is the fastest qualifier in the men’s Under-23 400m. He won his heat in 46.06s.  Oneika Brissett advanced to the women’s Under-23 final as the sixth fastest qualifier with 54.35.