Texas A&M track & field’s Lamara Distin claimed the Jamaica National high jump championship, while Charokee Young placed eighth at the Jamaica Olympic Trials at National Stadium on Saturday, 27 June.
Distin cleared the opening height of 1.75m on her first attempt. Facing adversity on the next two heights, Distin cleared 1.80m and 1.85m on final attempts.
In a battle with fellow Jamaican Kimberly Williamson, Distin took the crown with a second attempt clearance at 6-2.75 (1.90m). The 2021 NCAA runner-up, just missed breaking the national record 1.93m after three close misses at 1.94m.
Fellow Aggie, Charokee Young placed eighth in the 400m finals with a time of 52.10. Prior to the finals, Young finished second in heat three of the semifinals at a time of 51.40. The 21-year-old was the youngest competitor in the finals.
Aggie professional Jazmine Fray placed second in the women’s 800m final with a time of 2:03.92.
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce with 10.71 and 21.79 highlighted the four-day championships. Shericka Jackson with personal best times of 10.77 (semi-finals), 10.82 (final) and Elaine Thompson-Herah 10.84 and 22.02 also qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The trio will now get ready to challenge Americans Sha’Carri Richardson in the 100m, Gabby Thomas (21.61) in the 200m and British Dina Asher-Smith.
Omar McLeod, the defending champion from Rio 2016, and Beijing 2015 world champion Danielle Williams failed in the men’s 110m hurdles and women’s 100m hurdles respectively.
