Shaquena Foote and Neisha Burgher achieved significant victories at the NCAA Division 1 Conference Indoor Championships, winning multiple events. Foote set a personal best in the 400m and claimed victory in both the 200m and 400m at the Mountain West Championships. Burgher earned titles in the 60m and 200m, breaking meet records. Other noteworthy performances included Dejanae Oakley and Luke Brown’s impressive showings in their respective events, showcasing Jamaican talent.
At the recent NCAA Division 1 Conference Indoor Championships, Jamaican athletes Shaquena Foote from San Diego State and Neisha Burgher of the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP) achieved impressive double victories. Foote secured the women’s 200m and 400m titles at the Mountain West Championships in New Mexico, while Burgher claimed the women’s 60m and 200m doubles at the Conference USA Indoor Championships in Virginia, showcasing their remarkable talents.
Foote’s performance was particularly notable as she not only regained her 400m title with a time of 51.48 seconds, breaking her personal and school records, but also recorded a time of 22.89 seconds in the 200m, moving up the San Diego State rankings. Having been awarded the Most Outstanding Track Athlete of the Meet, Foote expressed gratitude and highlighted her aspiration for continued improvement.
Reflecting on her wins, Foote stated, “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude after winning the double. I’m definitely satisfied with my times, but I’m still so hungry for more…. My performance today is definitely a confidence booster for me, so I’m looking forward to lowering my times come indoor nationals.” Meanwhile, Burgher achieved a meet record of 22.73 seconds in the women’s 200m, surpassing the previous record set in 2013.
In addition to Burgher’s accomplishments, she also triumphed in the women’s 60m final with a time of 7.31 seconds. Other notable performances included Dejanae Oakley’s personal best of 50.90 seconds in the women’s 400m at the South East Conference Championships, ranking as one of the fastest times by a Jamaican woman in history. Brianna Lyston of LSU, however, fell short of defending her SEC title in the 60m, finishing second.
Further highlights from the championships include Luke Brown’s new personal best in the men’s triple jump and Jaheim Stern’s improved performance in the men’s 60m hurdles. Ralford Mullings, an Olympian, placed third in the men’s shot put, showcasing the depth of talent among Jamaican athletes competing at these events.
In conclusion, Shaquena Foote and Neisha Burgher exemplified excellence in their respective events at the NCAA Indoor Championships, achieving remarkable personal bests and setting new records. Their aspirations for further improvement reflect their dedication and hard work. The achievements of all participating athletes underscore the high level of competition and talent present in collegiate athletics.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
