KINGSTON, Jamaica — Between the end of one of the greatest sprint careers and the beginning of what could be some spectacular performances for years to come, the men’s and women’s 100m finals of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association’s (JAAA) National Senior Championships at the National Stadium is promising fireworks of the highest order.

With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the winner of 25 individual medals at the highest level of competition, the Clayton twins, Tia and Tina, and the pursuit of a fourth straight title by Shericka Jackson, the women’s race should serve up a delightful buffet that will fill even the most discerning palate.

In Thursday’s first round, Fraser-Pryce reminded the small turnout that while she has signalled that the end is nigh, she was still gunning for a spot on the team to the World Championships in Tokyo in September.

Jackson produced a timely reminder of her pedigree after she strolled to a smooth 11.20 seconds (-1.4m/s) to lead all qualifiers for the semi-finals.

Jackson has competed sparingly this season after missing last year’s Olympic Games with an injury, causing speculations about her form, but erased any doubts with a dominant display as she just edged Krystal Sloley —11.30 seconds and Natasha Morrison— 11.45 seconds.

Olympic finalists Tia Clayton, Briana Williams and Alana Reid all made progress to what is expected to be another thrilling semi-finals and final on Friday.

Tia Clayton also won her heat, running 11.21 seconds (-2.6m/s), finishing ahead of a fast finishing Jonielle Smith— 11.28 seconds and Reid— 11.42 seconds.

Fraser-Pryce looked in great form as she took control of her race from the start and won with 11.33 seconds (-2.1m/s), finishing ahead of Carleta Bernard— 11.47 seconds and Kemba Nelson— 11.48 seconds.

Two-time World Under 20 champion Tina Clayton won her heat in 11.27 seconds (-2.2m/s), beating Williams— 11.37 seconds and schoolgirl Shanoya Douglas— 11.67 seconds.

Meanwhile, Bryan Levell’s season’s best 9.99 seconds (-0.5m/s) clocking was the only major surprise in the first round of the men’s 100m.

Fresh from his wind-aided 19.79 seconds clocking in the 200m at the Racers Grand Prix earlier this month, Levell was the only man to dip under the 10.00 seconds barrier in the first round as all the favourites made progress to the semi-finals on Friday, including Olympic silver medallist Kishane Thompson, World Indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, and Oblique Seville.

Blake ran 10.07 seconds (0.0m/s), Thompson won his race in 10.12 seconds (-1.3m/s), Seville came from behind to win with 10.12 seconds (-0.9m/s) while national junior record holder Bouwahjgie Nkrumie also advanced with 10.14 seconds (0.0m/s)

The veteran Yohan Blake is also through with a season’s best 10.24 seconds (-0.5m/s) while Christopher Taylor, who had qualified from the morning’s qualifying rounds, also advanced, as well as Tyquendo Tracey.

Likewise, national record holders Rusheen McDonald and Nickisha Pryce led their men’s and women’s 400m first round with solid performances.

McDonald rolled back the clock when he ran 45.40 seconds to win his heat in the men’s 400m, as two-time national champion Sean Bailey with 45.80 seconds, Kimar Farquharson with 45.82 seconds and Delano Kennedy with 45.95 seconds all dipped under the 46.00 barrier.

Antonio Watson, the defending champion at the World Championships who has a bye, ran a well-timed race, clocking 46.22 seconds as Zandrion Barnes and Shemar Chambers also advanced.

Pryce stayed on course to retain her title after she eased into Friday’s semi-finals running 50.68 seconds to win her heat in only her second outdoor 400m of the season.

Stacey-Ann Williams was next best with 51.13 seconds while Dejanae Oakley, the only Jamaican woman to run under 50.00 seconds, also made progress with 51.30 seconds.

Shaquena Foote, who ran in borrowed gear after her bags were delayed in the United States, qualified along with Leah Anderson, Joanne Reid, Roniesha McGregor and Shana-Kay Anderson.

Saturday’s men’s 400m hurdles final promises to be a close and exciting race after all the top contenders qualified from Thursday’s semi-finals.

Assine Wilson had the fastest time of the day after he won his heat with 49.27 seconds, with Tyrese Hyman next with 49.96 seconds and World Athletics Championships finalist Roshawn Clarke running 49.99 seconds.

Demar Murray clocked 50.33 seconds, while last year’s champion Malik James-King won his heat in 50.79 seconds, slowing down over the last two hurdles after getting off to a fast start.

Romario Stewart also advanced with 50.79 seconds and Antonio Forbes ran 51.20 seconds.

In form, Andrenette Knight sounded a warning that she will be hard to beat in the women’s 400m hurdles after leading the qualifiers, winning her heat in 54.63 seconds.

Knight, who is seeking her first national senior title, was an easy winner over defending champion and two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medallist Rushell Clayton who ran 55.77 seconds.

Shiann Salmon, who won the second semi-final race in 55.90 seconds, also advanced as well as Sanique Walker with 56.39 seconds and big 12 Conference champion Safhia Hinds of Kansas State University — 57.26 seconds.

Garriel White ran 59.39 seconds while former Commonwealth Games champion Janieve Russell opened her season in the event with 1:00.66.

Kelly Ann Beckford is the top Jamaican through to Saturday’s final of the women’s 800m after the first round on Thursday, running a season’s best 2:01.03, followed by many-time national champion Natoya Goule— 2:02.61, national 1500m record holder Adelle Tracey 2:03.57 and Kishay Rowe— 2:05.88.

St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Shafiqua Maloney was the fastest on the day, running 2:00.03 while Kenyans Gladys Chepngetich— 2:01.09 and Judy Kosgei— 2:02.97 were also in the field.

Meanwhile, the first round of the men’s 800m was scrapped and the event will be run as a straight final on Saturday, it was announced.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lamara Distin retained her women’s high jump title, clearing 1.82m, while Olympic Games and World Championships finalist, Ackelia Smith, retained her women’s long jump title after she produced a wind-aided 6.81m (4.3m/s).

Smith, who was winning her third title, took over the lead in the second round with a wind-aided jump, 6.72m (2.7m/s) and also had a 6.78m (4.8m/s) jump in the fifth round.

Nia Robinson was second with a wind-aided 6.52m (2.9m/s) while Machaeda Linton was third with 5.99m (2.1m/s).

Also on Thursday, Rahiem Walker won the men’s 5000m, running 16:52.59, Omar Campbell was second with 17:08.22, and Winston Dehaney third with 17:19.14.