Fraser-Pryce heads 40-member NACAC team
Jamaica will be represented by a strong 40-member team at the NACAC Senior Championships that will be held at Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Canada, starting on Friday and ending on Sunday evening.
Triple jumper Shanieka Ricketts is the only defending champion from the last NACAC Championships, held in 2015 in San Jose, Costa Rica, who was named in the team that will include World Championships and Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as well as a number of Commonwealth Games gold medallists.
Jamaica won nine medals — three gold, two silver and four bronze — in Costa Rica three years ago, finishing second in the medals table behind the United States.
In addition to Ricketts the other gold medallists were Samantha Henry-Robinson in the women’s 100m and the men’s 4x100m relays, all setting new championship records.
There were a number of adjustments made to the original team selected following the JAAA National Senior Championships held in late June.
World and Olympic gold medallist Elaine Thompson withdrew from the team due to a nagging Achilles injury and was replaced by Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games 100m champion Jonielle Smith; CAC Games 200m champion Shashalee Forbes also withdrew due to injuries and was replaced by Jodean Williams.
Three female throwers also withdrew from the team — shot putter Lloydiricia Cameron, discus thrower Shadae Lawrence and javelin thrower Kateema Riettie.
On the men’s side pole vaulter Cameron Walker-Shepherd and sprint hurdler Ronald Levy are out, while CAC Games discus throw bronze medallist Traves Smikle was added.
Squad: Women — Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (100m), Jonielle Smith (100m, 4x100m), Jura Levy (4x100m), Natasha Morrison (4x100m), Shericka Jackson (200m), Jodean Williams (200m), Stephenie Ann McPherson (400m), Christine Day (400m), Anastasia Le-Roy (400m reserve, 4x400m), Tiffany James (4x400m), Derrian Hill (4x400m), Natoya Goule (800m), Simoya Campbell (800m), Danielle Williams (100mh), Yanique Thompson (100mh), Janieve Russell (400mh), Leah Nugent (400mh), Tisanna Hickling (long jump), Shanieka Ricketts (triple jump).
Men — Tyquendo Tracey (100m, 4x100m), Kenroy Anderson (100m, 4x100m), Nesta Carter (100m reserve, 4x100m), Javoy Tucker (4x100m), Jahnoy Thompson (200m, 4x100m), Nigel Ellis (200m, 4x100m), Demish Gaye (400m, 4x400m), Fitzroy Dunkley (400m, 4x400m), Rusheen McDonald (400m reserve, 4x400m), Steven Gayle (4x400m), Ivan Henry (4x400m), Kemoy Campbell (5000m), Hansle Parchment (110mh), Annsert Whyte (400mh), Shawn Rowe (400mh), Clayton Brown (high jump), Ramone Bailey (long jump), Tajay Gayle (long jump), Jordan Scott (triple jump), O’Dayne Richards (shot put), Ashinia Miller (shot put), Fedrick Dacres (discus), Traves Smikle (discus), Caniggia Raynor (hammer).
Officials — Michael Frater (team manager), Merlene Hamilton (assistant manager), Marvin Anderson (assistant manager), Dr Carl Bruce (team doctor), Donald Quarrie (technical leader), Maurice Wilson (head coach), Julian Robinson (coach), Reynaldo Walcott (coach), Lennox Graham (coach), Paul Francis (coach), Nathaniel Davis (masseur), Alvin Green (masseur), Gavin James (masseur), Damion Rowe (masseur).