The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN their last meeting before they come home for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' Scotiabank National Open Track and Field Championships, quartermiler Chris 'Fireman' Brown and high jumper Trevor Barry both picked up a third place finish in their respective events at the Adidas Grand Prix in New York on Saturday.

Brown, who was scheduled to compete along with Grand Bahamian Demetrius Pinder, ran 45.35 seconds to trail Luguelín Santos of Dominican Republic, who won in 45.24 and American Jeremy Wariner, who was second in 45.30. Pinder did not start. He was unavailable for comments as to why.

Brown said he was pleased with his performance. "The meet was pretty good," he said. "I felt a little flat, but I thank the Lord for a good result and a good performance."

Brown, a native of Eleuthera, who is coming off his bronze medal performance at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, is currently sitting in third place with three points in the Samsung Diamond League – which featured the New York meet as one of 10 spots on the circuit this year.

American LaShawn Merritt leads with eight points and Santos is second with six. Wariner and Angelo Taylor are tied with two points as they trail Brown in fourth.

Pinder, the IAAF World Indoor silver medallist, is not listed in the top five.

"I'm okay with my performance, considering how I felt and how hard the track was," Brown said. "I won't have liked to have ran against (Pinder), but that didn't have any effect on the way I performed. It would have been nice to race against him again before we both come home for the Nationals."

Pinder is the defending champion of the Nationals which is scheduled for June 22-23 at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Brown was third after he finished behind runner-up Ramon Miller. But Brown said he's looking forward to coming home to regain his title.

"Going into the Nationals, I'm feeling pretty good," he said. "My expectations for Nationals are always the same, give my fans a treat and be ready for the games."

Although he has been concentrating more on the 200m this year, Grand Bahamian Michael Mathieu has the fastest time of all Bahamians so far.

He has ran 45.06s while Brown is just ahead of Pinder at 45.14 and 45.15 respectively. Miller's season best is 45.48.

Also at the meet in New York, Barry soared 2.31 meters or 7-feet, 7-inches for a tied third place with American Jamie Nieto.

Grand Bahamian Donald Thomas was seventh with 2.20m (7-2 1/2). American world champion Jesse Williams won with a leap of 2.36m (7-8 3/4) and Great Britain's Robert Grabarz was second with the same height.

"The New York Diamond League meet was really competitive," Barry said.

"It is always exciting to have a fellow compatriot to compete against on the international stage. It shows the world the calibre of high jumpers in the Bahamas. Donald had a few problems with his approach which was unfortunate for him."

Barry, who was eighth at the IAAF World Indoors, is now sitting in the fourth spot in the Samsung Diamond League with three points. Williams leads the way with eight. Thomas is not listed in the top seven.

"I'm satisfied with my performance at this juncture in the season," Barry said. "I am consistent at the 7-7 mark, which is a good indication of my ability heading into the Nationals and ultimately the Olympic Games."

Going into the Nationals, Barry has the top mark by all Bahamians so far at 2.31m (7-7).

Teenage sensation Ryan Ingraham is next at 2.28 (7-5 3/4), while Thomas is at 2.27 (7-5 1/4). It should come down to an exciting showdown between the three at the BAAA Nationals.

"My expectations at Nationals is to jump to the best of my ability," Barry said. "A season's best or personal best would be nice. I look forward to competing at home each and ever year. Performing at home provides a unique opportunity for the Bahamian public to witness the elite athletes in action."

The athletes will now turn their attention to the BAAA Nationals set for June 22-23, which will also serve as the final trials for athletes wishing to make the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, July 27 to August 12.