What might happen when a galaxy of local female 100m hurdling stars are aligned across eight lanes at the upcoming 2022 edition of the JAAA National Selection Trials scheduled for June 2022? At stake are three places at the 2022 World Championship in Oregon, USA. Who will be among those eight to book these coveted places to compete in Oregon? And what times are we likely to see for the first three to cross the finish line?
Abundance of talent
Certainly, the current aggregation of female sprint hurdlers must go down as the most talented in Jamaica's history. Indeed, the likes of Danielle Williams, the 2017 World Champion; Megan Tapper, the current Olympic bronze medalist; the fast rising, Brittany Anderson; the talented Ackera Nugent and Yanique Thompson could all make for an interesting National Trials in June.
Proven Veterans
The twenty-nine-year-old Danielle Williams is the current National Record Holder at 12.32 and could challenge for the gold medal in Oregon. Williams will likely be in the mix if she is able to sort out some of the issues that have plagued her over the last three seasons and that prevented her from advancing to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With her recent 7.75 second performance in the 60m hurdles at the recent Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex in South Carolina (Feb 12), William is proving that she is over all those issues.
Twenty-seven-year-old Megan Tapper achieved her personal best of 12.53 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She could be a serious contender in Oregon given the fact that she has been dropping times and her confidence has been buoyed to an all-time high with the winning of an Olympic bronze medal.
Rising Stars
The nineteen-year-old Ackera Nugent is the reigning under-20 100m Hurdles Champion who has a personal best of 12.76 in the 100m hurdles. This season she has posted an indoor season best 7.89 in the 60m hurdles. Ackera along with the twenty-one-year-old Brittany Anderson, who is a former under-20 100m Hurdles silver medalist and under-20 World Record Holder and has a personal best of 12.40, are upcoming stars. Both are continually pushing the envelope and could make their presence felt at this year's World Championship in Oregon, USA.
Record under threat
The fact is we are likely to see a lowering of the National Record if all the female hurdlers remain focused, fit and healthy. Frankly speaking, unless it’s an absolute emergency or priority, this is an event that should not be missed for anything else. The real question is: Are we likely to see the first sub 12.30 seconds in the women's 100m Hurdles on national soil? Your guess is as good as mine. I wouldn't be the least surprised if this was to become a reality at the upcoming National Trials.
Henley Taylor
Freelance Sports Writer
Edited by Raymond Byfield
Danielle Williams picture courtesy of World Athletics website
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