Who is Ackera Nugent? Just how good is Ackera Nugent? What are the credentials that she boasts?
Ackera Nugent is a Jamaican female 100m Hurdler. She is a model of focus, intensity, great technique and versatility. Nugent is formerly of Excelsior High School where she was a Champs star in the event. The talented Jamaican was also the 2019 Carifta Champion, 2021 World Under 20 Champion and 2021 NACAC Under 20 Champion. Nugent is too, the 2023 NCAA Champion and National Record Holder in the Indoor 60mH, having eclipsed the mark of 7.74 that was set by countrywoman, Michelle Freeman in 1996, twenty-seven years ago. Thus far, Nugent has a Personal Best of 12.45 in the 100m Hurdles that she set in Texas in 2022, and 7.72 in the 60m Hurdles that she set at the 2023 NCAA Championship in semi-final round. Nugent is currently in her sophomore year at the University of Arkansas.
She is fast
Interestingly, the twenty-year-old is a genuine sprinter and speedster, with a Personal Best of 11.09 in the flat 100m, which at this time, makes her the fastest female hurdler, junior or senior, over the distance. To be more precise and direct, in the 100m, Nugent has a faster PB than Kerrica Hill, Tobi Amusan, Danielle Williams, Britany Anderson, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, Kendra Harrison and Janeek
Brown. She is even faster than the Australian legend Sally Pearson was over the 100m. Truth be told, as a hurdler, only Gail Devers has a faster flat 100m speed than Ackera Nugent. At twenty-years-old, there is much time for Nugent to improve on her 100m speed, as also, to become a master technician in the 100m Hurdles. In fact, I do believe that Nugent can run below eleven seconds in the 100m.
What’s next?
Ackera Nugent is yet to open her outdoor season in the 100m Hurdles. But when she does, providing that she remains injury-free, she is going to be a “beast”; she is going to create loads of problems for all. Certainly, she should be numbered among the qualifiers at the National Senior Trials, as she seeks to represent Jamaica in the 100mH event at the 2023 World Championship that will be held in Budapest, Hungary, later this summer.
Henley E. Taylor
Freelance Sports Writer
Henleytaylor1965@gmail.com
Ackera Nugent picture courtesy of the University of Arkansas Athletics
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