BUDAPEST, Hungary— Jamaica’s World Under-20 and NCAA outdoors 100m hurdles champion, Ackera Nugent, will forego her final year of college eligibility after signing a professional contract with sporting goods giants Adidas.

Nugent confirmed the news on Tuesday after completing her first-round race at the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

“I had signed with Adidas two weeks before (NCAA) nationals,” she told OBSERVER ONLINE.

She added, “So, I’m actually a professional athlete and I’m excited to start my new journey.”

The NCAA outdoors nationals was held in early June where she won her second title of the season, adding the outdoors crown to her indoor title.

Nugent said she would be based in Arkansas, where she attended college this past year after transferring from Baylor University where she had spent her first two seasons, “but I’ll still be finishing my college degree”

National 800m record holder Navasky Anderson also confirmed he had signed with an agent, “and something is in the works soon” he said.

Anderson graduated from Mississippi State University where he also completed a Master’s degree.

– Paul A Reid