Ackeem Blake in top form

Western Bureau:

Former under-18 national 100 metres champion Ackeem Blake added his name to the growing list of Jamaican athletes to run sub-10 seconds over 100 metres after clocking a personal best 9.92 at the Music City Track Carnival - America Track League at Vanderbilt track facilities in Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Titans Track Club athlete, who went into the meet with a personal and season’s best of 10.08, finished ahead of Antiguan Cejhae Green (10.02) and American Kendal Williams (10.05). Another Jamaican, Jelani Walker, finished fifth in a personal best 10.15.

Local track and field analyst Hubert Lawrence said it is good for Jamaica to see see Blake deliver on the promise he has been showing this season.

“I think it is great that he has made this progress,” Lawrence said. “I spoke to his coaches at Titans Track Club, and from early in the season, they have been very impressed with his work rate in training and his diligence. Coach Michael Frater, who I talk to from time to time, told me that he was expecting him to run under 10 seconds,” Lawrence said.

Trevaughn Marsh, who guided Blake to national recognition in 2019, said he is happy the youngster has made the transition to the senior ranks and that his achievement was no surprise to him.

“I am really happy for him, really, really excited. For a sprinter at his age to go sub-10 is an achievement. I know he is a hard worker, one who is committed, so I’m happy it’s now bearing fruit,” said Marsh, who is the head coach at Rusea’s High School.

“I’m not surprised. He was a special talent from my days of working with him at Merlene Ottey High School. It’s something that I expected. Earlier in the season he showed signs that it was possible for him to go below that 10-second barrier this season,” he added.

The former Merlene Ottey High School starlet became only the third Jamaican to run under 10 seconds in the men’s 100m this season. He sits behind Oblique Seville at 9.86 and just ahead of Davonte Burnett at 9.99.

Positive signs

Both Lawrence and Marsh believe Blake’s achievement and continuous improvement show positive signs for Jamaica’s male sprinting ahead of the national trials.

“To have both Ackeem Blake and Seville under 10 seconds at 20 and 21 years old, respectively, shows that there is life in Jamaican male sprinting. Also, given that Yohan Blake is at 10.05, we could have a team with a high-quality veteran with two young guns. That’s a team that could go to the Eugene World Championships and hold its own,” Lawrence said.

Marsh said: “It’s a good sign for Jamaica in male sprinting because over the last couple of years, we were not performing at the level we are used to.

“Based on past performances and what he has done now, we expect him (Ackeem Blake) to make the team for the individual event at the World Championships.”