National Senior Championships’ top-three predictions
In what is expected to be one of the most competitive National Senior Championships, a top-three finish will be key as athletes look to book their ticket to the World Athletics Championships, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, this September. THE WEEKEND STAR predicts its likely top-three finish in selected events.
WOMEN
100M
Undoubtedly this will be the most competitive event at the championships, as some young Turks will be hoping to lock out veterans like defending champion Shericka Jackson and the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
The Clayton twins -- Tia, with a season-best 10.92 seconds, and Tina, 10.98 seconds -- look set to dominate. The likes of Jackson, Briana Williams, Fraser-Pryce, and Shenese Walker will be in a battle royale for third.
1. Tia Clayton
2. Tina Clayton
3. Shericka Jackson
200M
With Jackson not contesting this event, being the defending World champion, a new champion will be crowned. Both the Clayton twins and Williams will be doing double duties, but last year's third-place finisher Niesha Burgher should go all the way.
1. Niesha Burgher
2. Briana Williams
3. Tina Clayton
400M
A two-way battle here between Dejanea Oakley -- the fastest Jamaican this season with 49.65 seconds -- and defending champion Nickeisha Pryce, who has a season-best of 50.04. Oakley looks set to win her first senior title.
1. Dejanea Oakley
2. Nickeisha Pryce
3. Stacy-Ann Williams
100M Hurdles
This is done and dusted for Ackera Nugent, the best Jamaican in the event this season. She is yet to finish out of the top three at any major competition so far. Megan Tapper looks a cinch for second, with third is up for grabs.
1. Ackera Nugent
2. Megan Tapper
3. Amoi Brown
400M Hurdles
After the disappointment last year, when she looked set to win her first title but a slight mishap caused her to finish fourth, Andrenette Knight -- who is having a dream season -- looks poised to grab her first senior title. But she must be wary of the warrior-like Rushell Clayton.
1. Andrenette Knight
2. Rushell Clayton
3. Shiann Salmon
Triple Jump
Another national title beckons for Shanieka Ricketts, as she has no equal in the country in this event.
1. Shanieka Ricketts
2. Ackelia Smith
3. Shantae Foreman
MEN
100M
Expect fireworks here as defending champion Kishane Thompson looks to explode. We could witness a sub 9.7-second clocking. Oblique Seville will be hoping to spoil the party, but this looks unlikely. He, along with Ackeem Blake and the vastly improved Brian Levell, should fight it out for the remaining top spots.
1. Kishane Thompson
2. Oblique Seville
3. Ackeem Blake
200M
Defending champion Levell, after a smashing wind-aided 19.79 seconds to win at the Racers Grand Prix, looks set to go all the way. However, Seville could upstage him after some good 200m runs this season. But the edge goes to the defending champ.
1. Brian Levell
2. Oblique Seville
3. Ackeem Blake
400M
This one is hard to call, as the country's male quarter-milers have been struggling this season. Only three athletes have gone sub-45 seconds, including 400m hurdler Roshawn Clarke. New Mexico junior college representative Bovel McPherson -- the former Holmwood Technical one-lapper -- with 44.78 seconds, looks the best of an average lot.
1. Bovel McPherson
2. Deandre Watkin
3. Delano Kennedy
110M Hurdles
No stopping defending champion Rasheed Broadbell, and we could see a sub 13-second performance. It will be a tight race for the remaining two spots, with collegiate athlete Demario Prince looking to upstage the likes of Orlando Bennett and Hansle Parchment.
1. Rasheed Broadbell
2. Orlando Bennett
3. Hansle Parchment
400M Hurdles
After being upstaged by Malik James-King last year, Roshawn Clarke, with a season-best 48.20 seconds, looks ready to show who's boss and should go all the way.
1. Roshawn Clarke
2. Assinie Wilson
3. Malik James-King
800M
A good battle is expected, as national record holder Navasky Anderson leads a quality group of rising stars, including defending champion Tarees Rhoden.
1. Navasky Anderson
2. Tarees Rhoden
3. Rivaldo Marshall