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Jackson (2nd left) with teammates Yanique McNeil, Olivia James, and Chantal Duncan after taking the High School Girls' 4x4 Relay Championship of America at the 2011 Penn Relays. Jackson anchored that team to 3min, 37.79secs. DPalmer photo
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Shericka Jackson from Jamaica's Vere Technical High School, turned in an astounding performance at Saturday's Gibson Relays in Kingston, when she collected the baton in fifth place on the anchor and ran down the Flying Angels of Canada, who was 10 meters ahead.
The 200m specialist had only 80 to 90 meters to work her magic but methodically reeled in the teams in her sight before nipping the flying Angel on the line in 45.63secs. The Canadians clocked 45.67secs while Edwin Allen, who had a poor exchange, placed third in 46.14secs.
Jackson’s run was redemption for her and her team's performance at the Western Relays in Montego Bay a week ago, when she anchored Vere to victory, but they were disqualified because she took the baton outside of the exchange zone.
The 17-year-old 2011 IAAF World Youth Championships medalist has been unbeaten this season, and will be a force at Champs next month, as well as at the Penn Relays, and perhaps even beyond that.
With resolve and determination in every stride, as if having something to prove, Jackson stormed back from a major deficit to strike gold. This performance will resonate with fans for a long time. To this end, Caribbean TrackLife salutes Shericka Jackson as the Athlete of the Meet. Post comments here