Iconic Sha’Carri Richardson Record Threatened by 22-Year-Old at Tom Jones Memorial 2024

At James G. Pressly Stadium, Gainsville, Florida, excitement filled the air as the Tom Jones Memorial Classic 2024 kicked off this past weekend. But one big name was missing: Sha’Carri Richardson, the lightning-fast 100m world champion who wowed fans at the Miramar Invitational just days earlier. 

Even without Richardson, the women’s 100m race promised fireworks, with up-and-comers like Jacious Sears ready to shine. Sears dashed onto the track with all she had. And boy, did she deliver! Zooming past the finish line in a speedy 10.77 seconds, just 0.02 seconds short of Richardson’s NCCA record, Sears made jaws drop and hearts race!

Jacious Sears probably took motivation from Sha’Carri Richardson’s fiery 100m record at NCAA level 5 years back! That added motivation may have propelled the Tennessee senior to the forefront, while the former U20 60m world record holder remained among her competitors. As updated by Athletics Weekly on X, the 22-year-old Jacious could claim her 2024 Tom Jones Memorial Classic 100m title after finishing the race in 10.77 seconds. Sha’Carri’s record felt a slight tremor while residing at 10.75 seconds. 

Meanwhile, Kaila Jackson (U20 record holder) and Rosemary Chukwuma secured 2nd  and 3rd place, finishing at 11.10 and 11.12 seconds, respectively. After the Saturday battle in Gainesville, Jacious’s remarkable timing has now elevated her to the 7th position in the American all-time list. In the following ranks, several juniors displayed their standings. However, the race presented an uncanny similarity with Sha’Carri Richardson’s record-breaking performance from five years ago! 

Upcoming successor of Sha’Carri Richardson in line? 

In 2019, while donning the LSU Tigers’ sprinting costume, Sha’Carri Richardson completed her 100m race in NCAA (best timing). Her finishing stance was nearly five meters ahead of the nearest competitor, which kept the viewers in disbelief. However, SCR’s opponents on that day achieved a rare milestone on the Austin track, finishing the event in sub-11 sec clocking. Furthermore, the top 3 rankers completed the race in sub-10 sec timing, another remarkable feat in the NCAA events. However, on Saturday as well, history repeated itself. 

Chasing Jacious Sears’ lead, the rest of the participants concluded the 100m event in sub-11 timing. Eventually, with the runner-up, Kaila Jackson, the Minnesota senior formed a huge gap while sprinting in the contest. So, zeroing down to the list of competitors, Sears’ commendable time score might add her to the list of Sha’Carri Richardson’s fitting successors. What do you think? let us know your thoughts in the comments below!