The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

When the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' Scotiabank National Open Track and Field Championships gets underway at Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium this weekend, a couple of half-milers will drop down to the quarter-mile.

Wesley Neymour, the 800 meters specialist from the host Silver Lightning Track Club, clocked 46.82 seconds to win the men's invitational 400 meters in the Thomas A Robinson Track Classic on Saturday.

Neymour, producing his season's best, beat out an international field that included Dredame Carter, who got second in 47.09 and Jamaica's Sekou Clarke, who ended up third in 47.77. "The 800 is very tough and I think I can give it a better shot in the 400," Neymour said.

Neymour now adds his name in the hat of quarter-milers, led by defending champion Demetrius Pinder and Chris 'Fireman' Brown, who are all expected to clash in the leading event on the men's side of the championship, which also serves as the final trials for the Olympic Games in London, England.

"I'm really going to try and make the Olympic team," Neymour said. "I've been training hard, but I know it's going to be tough with Chris Brown and Demetrius Pinder in there. I'll see what I could do. Hopefully I can run very well."

The goal, according to Neymour, is just to get a spot on the team going to London, even if it's just to compete on the men's 4 x 400 relay team.

As he prepares for the Nationals, Neymour will have to run the A qualifying standard of 45.30 as Michael Mathieu (45.06), Chris 'Fireman' Brown (45.14), Demetrius Pinder (45.15), Ramon Miller (45.48), Avard Moncur (45.86) and junior sensation O'Jay Ferguson (46.14) have all ran faster than him.

Not only is Amara Jones home to contest for her spot on the women's 4 x 100 relay team, but she's also going to give it a shot at qualifying for the women's 200 and 400.

The former 800 specialist from Grand Bahama said she's eager to make her presence felt during this weekend's trials.

"I'm hoping to qualify and whatever God has in store for me will happen," she said. "I enjoy the 400. I just hope that I can be able to make it in the 400 and maybe even the 200."

Pool

Jones, who is in the pool for the women's 4 x 100 relay team, has ran the second fastest time of 52.43 by any Bahamian. The best time has been posted by high school sensation Shaunae Miller, who has ran 51.44. The Olympic A qualifying time is 51.55.

In the 200, Jones' SB time is 23.28, the Bahamas' fourth best behind Sheniqua 'Q' Ferguson's 22.64, Miller's 22.70 and Anthonique Strachan's 22.75. The Olympic A standard is 23.10.

Going into the Nationals this weekend, the country's two remaining "golden girls" Chandra Sturrup and Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie are both nursing nagging injuries. That could leave the door open for what could turn out to be the changing of the guards.

But even considering that, both Sheniqua Ferguson and Anthonique Strachan are both recovering from slight injuries as well.

"Right now, I'm just trying to stay healthy," Ferguson said. "I'm coming to Nationals and run and give a good showing. Whatever happens, happens. I haven't competed since May, so I just want to see what I can do."

As for Strachan, once she can get over her slight injury, she said she is confident that she will be able to compete "like I would like to here at home because the crowd this weekend."

The Nationals is slated to begin at 6pm Friday and wrap up on Saturday, starting at 3pm.