In an electrifying display of speed and determination, former Jamaican junior representative Bovel McPherson of New Mexico Junior College shattered long-standing records at the NJCAA Indoor Championships. Competing at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Centre in Lubbock, McPherson clocked an astonishing 45.58 seconds in the 400m – a performance that not only set a new meet record but also marked a personal best for the athlete.
McPherson’s remarkable run surpassed the previous indoor record of 45.59 seconds set in 2017 by Sean Bailey, and the longstanding NJCAA mark of 45.84 seconds established by Rondell Bartholomew back in 2011. This achievement follows McPherson’s impressive bronze medal performance in the men’s 400m at the 2019 Pan-Am Juniors in Costa Rica, proving he’s a force to be reckoned with on the track.
The championship was a celebration of Jamaican talent, as four other athletes from the Caribbean claimed top honors in their respective events. Shamar Reid of South Plains College made a significant comeback in the shot put by achieving a throw of 17.82m after a less impressive showing last year. Meanwhile, athletes Celine Riddle and Asharria Ulett of Barton County College recorded standout performances; Riddle not only excelled in the women’s long jump with a personal best of 6.21m but also impressed in the triple jump with a lifetime mark of 12.60m, while Ulett clinched the 60m hurdles with a new best time of 8.29 seconds.
Other notable performances included Jody Ann Mitchell of New Mexico Junior College, who finished second in the 600m with a time of 1:32.55, helping her team secure victory in the distance medley relay. The day also saw strong showings in middle-distance events and field disciplines, with athletes like Kaydeen Johnson and Cedricka Williams posting commendable results in their respective races and throws.
The championships, which spanned two action-packed days, highlighted not only record-breaking feats but also the rising talents poised to make a mark in collegiate athletics. McPherson’s record-setting run, along with the impressive performances of his fellow Jamaican athletes, underscores the international caliber of competitors at the NJCAA Indoor Championships.
