JAAA names 57 for NACAC Champs

Raymond Graham/Gleaner WriterTHE Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has selected 57 athletes for next week's North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships to be held in San Jose, Costa Rica, July 9-11.

Thirty-five athletes, 18 males and 17 females, have been selected for the under-18 age group while 22 athletes, 15 males and seven females will compete in the under-23 category.

Among the males selected for the under-23 competition are four who were recently named to represent the country at next month's Olympic Games in Tokyo. They are Christopher Taylor who was second in the men's 400 metres at the National Senior Championships, Javier Brown of Jamaica College who was sixth in that event along with sprinter Davonte Burnett who won his heat in the men's 100 metres quarter-finals but did not report for the semi-finals. Also among the four is Leonardo Ledgister, Jamaica's top man in the 400 metres hurdles this year. Ledgister failed to advance from the semi-finals in that event.

National senior high jump champion Lamara Distin heads the women in the under-23 group which also includes NCAA Division One Outdoor 100 metres hurdles bronze medallist, Ackera Nugent of Baylor University.

Edwin Allen High's Tina Clayton and Hydel High's Shamonique Hazle are two of the top performers among the under-18 age group. Clayton was a double sprint champion at the recent National Junior Championships where she stepped up in class in the under-20 section to win the 100 metres in 11.25 and the 200 metres in 23.61 seconds. Hazle was outstanding in capturing the under-18 long jump with a distance of 6.27 metres.

St Elizabeth Technical's Alricke Cranston, who captured the under 18 100m in 10.27 and the 200m in 21.00, is the standout athlete among the boys along with Camperdown High's Roshawn Clarke who competed in the under-20 section and won the 400m hurdles in an impressive 51.69 seconds.

THE TEAMSUnder-18 women: Tina Clayton, Serena Cole, Alana Reid, Dejanea Oakley, Oneika Brissett, Rickeisha Simms, Kishay Rowe, Alexis James, Kerrica Hill, Alliah Baker, Lavanya Williams, Rasheda Samuels, Deijaneae Bruce, Shemonique Hazle, Briitannia Johnson, Britannie Johnson, Cedricka Williams.

Under-18 men: Alricke Cranston, Bouwahjhie Nkrumie, Orlando Wint, Tahj Hamm , Kemario Bygrave, Adrian Nethersole, Andre Harris, Shamer Blake, Roshawn Clarke, Oshane Blackwood, Aaron McKenzie, Brandon Pottinger, Jaydon Hibbert, Javar Thomas, Zachry Campbell, Kobe Lawrence, Ricardo Hyles.

Under-23 women: Ashanti Moore, Gizelle Scarlett, Daszay freeman, Ackera Nugent, Shian Salmon, Lamara Distin, Charokee Young.

Under-23 men: Davonte Burnett, Sandrey Davison, Antonio Watson, Jevaughn Powell, Javier Brown, Christopher Taylor, Chevonne Hall, Tyrese Reid, Kevroy Venson, Orlando Bennett, Shakwon Coke, Courtney Lawrence, Kai Chang, Roje Stona, Leonardo Ledgister.

Management team: Keith Wellington - manager, George Stone - assistant manager, Cherine Richards - assistant manager.

Coaches: Michael Vassell (head coach), Camille Ennis, Grace Bourah, Ruel James, Roderick Myles, Lamar Richards, Marvin James, Cannigia Raynor,

Joycelyn Gibson.

Team doctor: Dr Jermaine Lewis

Masseurs: Yvonne Foster, Johnoya Bond