Jackson back in training, eyeing Junior Pan Am

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Her breakout season temporarily derailed by injury, Vere Technical's double-sprint champion Shericka Jackson is back in training and aiming to compete at the Junior Pan American Games in Peru this August.

Jackson set personal bests at this year's ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships 2013 for the 400m (51.60s) and 200m (22.98s). She followed up at the CARIFTA Games with a new personal best in the 200m where she won silver in 22.84s.

However, at the UTech Classic in mid-April, Jackson tore her left hamstring while competing in the sprint relays, dampening her prospects of competing for the remainder of the season, specifically at the JAAA/Supreme Ventures National Senior Championships set for mid-June and at the Junior Pan American Championships set for Lima, Peru, in August.

INJURY NOT BAD

"I started training about a week after I returned from the Penn Relays, where I went as a spectator," Jackson told The Gleaner. "The injury is not bad as I am pain free now. It feels good to be back in training knowing that I had suffered from a hamstring tear in my left leg."

Though pain free, Jackson believes she will not be ready in time to compete for a spot on Jamaica's team to the IAAF World Athletic Championships in Moscow set for August 10-18. The trials are set for mid-June. It is against this background that she is setting her sights on the Pan Am Championships in August.

"I was also planning on competing at the senior trails but I have to withdraw as I won't be 100 per cent ready," she said.

Still mourning the death of her coach and mentor, Constantine Haughton, Jackson also reveals that she is yet to make up her mind as to where she will be come September. Earlier this season, she hinted that she plans to remain in Jamaica to train with one of the local clubs.

Some reports have linked her to the Glen Mills-led Racers Track Club. However, the young sprinter said she is still to make a final decision.

"I'm pretty close to making a decision where I want to go, but have to sit and talk a little more with my family and coaches (John Mair and Romaine Gordon) as my personal coach for the last six years recently passed away."