Jamaica emerged as the top Caribbean nation at the 2021 NACAC U18, U20 and U23 Championships that concluded at the National Stadium in Costa Rica on Sunday.

Jamaica closed the championships with 61 medals, three fewer than hosts Costa Rica, which amassed 64. The Bahamas were next with 35 medals. Jamaica’s women won 26 medals while its men took home 35, three fewer than Costa Rica’s men. The home country’s women also won 26 medals.

The meet began on Friday, July 9, when Zachary Campbell threw 54m to win gold in the U18 Boys discus. He was head and shoulders above his rivals as Costa Rica’s Jeims Molina Alvarez could only muster 40.59m and Kaden Cartwright of the Bahamas, 38.65m.

Kai Chang won the U23 discus in a Jamaica 1-2 with Roje Stona. Chang threw 61.39m to Stona’s 61.21m. Costa Rica’s Elias Jimenez took the bronze medal with 46.33m.

Jamaica also had a 1-2 finish in the U18 Boys triple jump won by Jaydon Hibbert in a NACAC U18 record  16.02m. Javar Thomas jumped 14.89m to win the silver medal. Fernando Melgar of El Salvador won the bronze medal with 14.34m.

There was another 1-2 finish in the U18 Women discus in which Cedricka Williams and Britannia Johnson established marks of 45.37m and 43.59m, for gold and silver, respectively. Williams’ mark was a NACAC U18 record.

Calea Jackson of the Bahamas threw 41.03m to win the bronze medal.

NEW HURDLES RECORD

Danielle Sloley won the silver medal in the U23 shot put when she threw 13.85m. Costa Rica’s Deisheline Scott threw 14.90 for the gold medal while Lacee Barnes of the Cayman Islands won the bronze medal having thrown 13.75m.

Lamara Distin, the 2021 NCAA high jump silver medalist cleared 1.85m to win the U23 Women high jump competition.

On the track, Shian Salmon cruised to a time of 58.29 to win the U23 400m hurdles and Alliah Baker won the U18 event in a NACAC record 63.36.

Kasha Neilly of the Bahamas won the U18 silver medal in 65.26. Costa Rica’s Maryell Bustillo ran 70.02 for third.

There was also a new record established in the U18 Boys 400m hurdles as Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke ran 51.95s to win gold ahead of Shimar Bain of the Bahamas who finished in 53.39s.

Clarke’s compatriot Shamer Blake ran 55.20 to claim the bronze medal.

DELANO KENNEDY STRIKES GOLD

Meanwhile, Tina Clayton ran a massive personal best of 11.17 to win the U18 100m ahead of teammate and schoolmate Serena Cole, who ran 11.52.

Jamaica also took home gold in the U18 Boys 400m won by Delano Kennedy in 47.75 ahead of compatriot Tahj Hamm 48.38.

Charokee Young ran 52.06 to win the U23 Women 400m and was a member of Jamaica’s Mixed 4x400m relay that won in 3:20.71 over the Bahamas.

The country also picked up gold medals in the U18 Girls and Boys 4x100m in 45.49 and 40.60, respectively.