Jonielle Smith wins women's 100m semi as Shericka Jackson books final spot at JAAA nationals

Jonielle Smith and Shericka Jackson secured automatic places in the women's 100m final at the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships after dominating the third and final semi-final on Day 2.

Smith took the heat in 11.14, with Jackson crossing second in 11.17. Only the top two from each semi advance directly, leaving third-placed Sabrina Dockery on 11.31 to wait and see whether her time beats the provisional fastest-loser marks of 11.19 from Jodie Williams and 11.24 from Ashanti Moore in the earlier semis. Crystal Sloley's 11.35 had already fallen outside contention on time.

The line-up featured Natasha Morrison in lane two, Jackson in lane three, Smith in lane five, Dockery in lane six and Vedita Vidal in lane eight. Kemba Nelson, who won the 100m in 10.88 at the Doha Diamond League earlier in the day with a +2.5 wind reading, was listed but did not start.

Jackson, a two-time world 200m champion and 2023 world 100m silver medallist, was making her season opener over the distance despite not having run a flat 100m this year. She has shown strong form over 200m, clocking 21.87 this season. Smith, who anchored Jamaica to relay silver at last year's World Championships and has twice run 10.99 this season, went out hard from the blocks alongside Jackson. Dockery, a former Lacovia High standout in her first season as a professional, also started quickly but could not sustain the pace.

Natasha Morrison, though a sub-11 sprinter, has not gone below 11.30 this season and was left behind as Smith and Jackson eased through the closing stages.

The result surprised many who had expected Dockery, a new sub-11 athlete this season after her 10.92 in Texas two weeks ago, to reach the final. Her 11.31 means she must now hope her time is sufficient against the marks set in the opening semi-finals.