With 3 NCAA champions and 9 individual winners at the National Junior College (NJCAA) championships, Jamaica had a fine 2021 season on the US college. Indications are that some of that success will continue in 2022. Leading the charge will be sprinter Kemba Nelson and Ackera Nugent, the World Under 20 100 metre hurdles champion.

Nelson and Nugent begin their respective indoor seasons this weekend with meets on January 14, Nelson at the Cougar Classic in Spokane, Washington and Nugent at the Texas Tech Corky Classic in Texas. Nelson is expected to run the 60m for the University of Oregon and may well venture over 200 metres. Nugent, who scored for Baylor University at both the flat 100m and the 100m at the outdoor NCAA championships in June, could do any or both of two events, the 60m flat or the 60m hurdles.

Last year, those ladies and Damion Thomas highlighted the NCAA Indoors with big wins. Thomas, who later reached the Olympic semis in the 110m hurdles, took the 60m hurdles for Louisiana State University in his last year of eligibility and is now a professional.

Other Jamaican NCAA returners to watch include Daszay Freeman, the female 60m hurdles runner-up, Carey McLeod who was third in the long jump and the triple jump, Kiara Grant who placed third to Nelson in the 60m, and Phillip Lemonius, fourth behind Thomas in the hurdles.

Of the nine Jamaican 2021 NJCAA winners, six have moved on to other institutions but Nia Robinson of Barton County Community College and Nickisha Pryce of Iowa Western Community remain in place to defend their titles. Robinson, who first distinguished herself at the Rusea’s School, jumped 6.12m to win her NJCAA title while Pryce, the diminutive former Vere Technical High representative, covered the 400m in 53.38 seconds.

On the men’s side, Andrew Betton took the heptathlon for Cloud County Community College and the former Calabar performer will also try to retain his title.

The others will seek glory at the NCAA level. They are Romaine Beckford, Courtney Lawrence, Shakwon Coke, Dashinelle Dyer, Kayann Green and Javon-Taye Williams. High jump winner Beckford now attends the University of South Florida. Shot put king Lawrence is now at Kennesaw State, with long jump victor Coke now at Arkansas. Dyer, who sped home first in the 60m, and women’s 800m supremo Green, are now both at Clemson University and men’s 800m winner Williams has moved to South Eastern Louisiana.