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Hill ready for the big time
April 28, 2023
World Under-20 Championships 100 metres hurdles champion Kerrica Hill's drive to make the team to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in her first attempt, is fuelled by her rapid progression in her first season, coming off her first win as a professional.
Hill defeated her Elite Performance teammate, Olympic bronze medallist Megan Tapper, clocking a new lifetime best of 12.75 seconds at the Velocity Fest meet last Saturday at the National Stadium.
The performance is an upgrade from her debut in the 100 metres hurdles at the Tom Jones Memorial meet on April 15, where she ran a wind-assisted 12.68 seconds for second place in her heat and a 12.86 in the final to finish fifth.
With eyes on being in the conversation to secure a place on the World Championship team, Hill said her continued tunnel-vision mindset has served her well in her rookie season, with the biggest indicator being how she closed down Tapper in the final 20 metres.
"It's maturity, and you have to know what you want, so I know what I want. I am transitioning very well," Hill said. "I came out here with the mindset knowing that I had an Olympic medallist in the race. I came out there to just see where I am at in training."
Hill's personal best is also tied for 11th best in the world this year, a millisecond slower than her compatriot, former World Championship winner Danielle Williams, who clocked 12.74 seconds in the final at the Tom Jones Invitational with World Championship silver medallist and reigning national champion Britany Anderson, yet to make her outdoor debut.
What has also helped Hill is the abundance of riches in her camp that have provided a positive influence on her in her transition. This is led by five-time World Championships 100 metres winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
"Shelly is someone that is going to push you and motivate you. So having her around is a big inspiration to me. I am the youngest one in the camp, so having everybody around me is a big inspiration," Hill said.
