Earlier this month, the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida welcomed some of the world’s best athletes for the 2025 Miramar Invitational track and field meet. The venue is a world-class facility—one of only four Class 2 internationally certified tracks in the United States.
This year’s event featured a packed schedule, including the 100m, 200m, and 300m dashes; 600m run; 4x100m relay; men’s 110m hurdles; women’s 100m hurdles; long jump; and shot put.
As expected, Jamaica was well represented, with a strong contingent ready to face tough competition from across the globe—athletes from the USA, Canada, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas, Japan, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, the British Virgin Islands, Great Britain, and Puerto Rico were all in attendance.
Jamaican Stars Shone Bright
Jamaica’s lineup included top names like Tia and Tina Clayton, Shericka Jackson, Natasha Morrison, Briana Williams, Serena Cole, and Yohan Blake, among others.
Among the standout Jamaican performances were Rohan Watson, Rusheen McDonald, Natasha Morrison, and long jumper Ackelia Smith. Strong finishes also came from Briana Williams, Serena Cole, Tia Clayton, Shericka Jackson, and Yohan Blake.
Julien Alfred vs Shericka Jackson Showdown
One of the meet’s most anticipated moments was the clash between St. Lucia’s Julien Alfred and Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson. Jackson, a four-time world champion and Olympic medallist, was making a return to top-tier competition after missing the Paris 2024 Olympics due to injury.
In the 300m dash, Jackson surged ahead early with a strong start. But Alfred stayed within striking distance and unleashed a powerful kick in the final stretch to take the lead.
The finish was electric: Alfred crossed the line in 36.05 seconds, setting a new Saint Lucian national record and ranking 28th on the all-time list. Jackson finished a razor-thin 0.08 seconds behind, while Jessika Gbai of the Ivory Coast came third in 36.24 seconds.
Alfred’s Meteoric Rise Continues
Alfred has quickly become one of the top sprinters in the world. Inspired by Jamaican legend Usain Bolt, she made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning St. Lucia’s first-ever gold medal. She was also the first Caribbean woman to win the prestigious NCAA Bowerman Award.
Since the Miramar Invitational, Alfred has continued to dominate. At the 2025 Tom Jones Memorial meet in Gainesville, Florida, she clocked a world-leading 21.88 seconds in the 200m—cementing her status as a global sprint powerhouse.
After her 300m win in Miramar, she jogged over to greet fans draped in the St. Lucian flag, who celebrated her performance with loud cheers and waving banners.
What’s Next: World Championships in Tokyo
While Alfred may have taken this round, Shericka Jackson is far from done. With the World Athletics Championships set for Tokyo in September, track fans can look forward to another chapter in this growing rivalry between two of the Caribbean’s fastest women.
