Cloud nine for shock national champion Roswell

In what was the biggest upset of the weekend at the JAAA Puma National Senior and Junior Championships, Demisha Roswell upstaged her more fancied rivals to win her first senior national women's 100m hurdles title, clocking a new personal best of 12.40 seconds.

The former Vere Technical and Texas Technical athlete was on cloud nine about turning back the likes of defending champion Megan Simmonds, World Championships representative Amoi Brown, and two-time World Under-20 champion Kerrica Hill. Roswell looked poised throughout and won going away in the event. She now sits fourth in the world behind world leader Masai Russell of the United States (12.14), world record holder Tobi Amusan of Nigeria (12.28) and two-time World Indoor champion Devynne Charlton of The Bahamas (12.37).

"I am feeling joyful and blessed to win my first national title. Coming to the championships, I was very confident as I was well prepared and determined to come out on top. There were some amazing athletes in the race, but my focus was on my lane and the 10 barriers ahead of me, and it was all about execution," said Roswell, who stated that she was even more motivated after her win at the Lone Star USATF Meet in College Station, Texas, where she turned back a quality field, including Jamaica's Ackera Nugent.

"I moved my personal best from 12.44 to 12.40 seconds and I am very confident that I can go even faster. It is just for me to continue putting in the hard work, remain disciplined in my training and stay focused," she continued.

"I am very excited because I will now get the chance to represent the country for the first time when I go to the Commonwealth Games. I want to step up to the big stage and see what I can do," she shared.

According to Roswell, she just wants to enjoy the moment.

"Track and field is a very unforgiving sport and you do not know what the future holds for you going forward, but expect greatness," she stated.

When finally asked how she has managed to move ahead of several athletes who were well ahead of her at the high-school level, her response was simple.

"For me, it was all about mental and physical preparation."