Bronze for Richards at NACAC meet
Published:Saturday | August 20, 2022 | 12:09 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Shot putter O’Dayne Richards ensured a positive start to Jamaica’s 2022 NACAC Championships campaign, with the country’s first medal as day one came to a close yesterday at Freeport Stadium in the Bahamas.
Richards got bronze in the men’s shot put with a throw of 20.05m. American Roger Steen won gold with a throw of 20.78m. His compatriot Adrian Piperi came second with 20.76m.
It was the only medal that Jamaica won on the opening day as Samantha Hall finished fifth in the final of the women’s discus with a throw of 57.70m. Laulauga Tausaga-Collins of the United States won the title with a throw of 63.18m while Ponce Denia Caball of Cuba took silver in 61.86m. Tausaga-Collins’ teammate Rachel Dincoff, 61.56m, was third.
The session did see a number of Jamaicans secure final spots in their respective events. Stephenie-Ann McPherson and Commonwealth Games 4x400m relay silver medallist Junelle Bromfield advanced to today’s final of the women’s 400m. McPherson qualified automatically with a time of 51.65 seconds, the fourth fastest among the finalists while Bromfield took one of the non-automatic qualifying spots clocking 51.75. Reigning world champion Shaunae Miller Uibo of the Bahamas (50.84) and 2022 World Championship bronze medallist Sada Williams of Barbados (51.48) advanced to the final with the fastest and second-fastest times.
World Championship finalist Christopher Taylor and Nathon Allen secured spots in today’s men’s 400m final with the fastest and second-fastest times in the field. Taylor clocked 45.50 to win his first-round heat while Allen finished second in his heat in 45.85.
Shawn Rowe advanced to the final of the men’s 400m hurdles, clocking 50.27 seconds, the fifth-fastest time among the field. Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper will be the lone Jamaican represented in today’s final of the women’s 100m hurdles after winning her first round heat in 12.62 seconds, the fastest time among the field.
National 200m champion Andrew Hudson finally made his debut for Jamaica, progressing to the final of the men’s 200m clocking 20.25 to win his first round heat, the fastest time among the field. His national teammate Jazeel Murphy also qualified for the final with his time of 20.80, good enough for a non-automatic qualifying spot. Hudson did not compete in the World Championships as his transfer of allegiance did not take effect until July 27, a week after the meet.
Former World long jump champion Tajay Gayle needed only one attempt to advance to the men’s long jump final with a leap of 7.83m in the qualifying round. His compatriot Shawn D-Thompson also booked a spot in the final with a leap of 7.76 on his third attempt. Gayle competed at the World Championships despite dealing with a foot injury and could not defend the title he won in 2019 as he failed to register a mark in the qualifying rounds.