The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT WAS a grand weekend for coach David Charlton and five members of his Star Trackers Track Club at the Golden South Classic in Orlando, Florida.

While Charlton was inducted into the Golden South Hall of Fame, three of the athletes posted personal best times in their respective events.

Charlton’s daughter Devynne took the tape in her specialty in the 100 hurdles, lowering her PR of 13.97 seconds when she clocked 13.86 to finish well ahead of the field. Her nearest rival was Jamika Glades, a senior at Dillard, who did 14.10. Charlton had the fastest qualifying time of 14.39.

Charlton also contested the 100 with Carmiesha Cox, who turned in a double PR performance at the meet.

Cox ran 11.89 for the fifth fastest qualifying time and she went under her PR of 11.72 when she ran 11.50 for second. The race was won by Tristie Johnson in 11.28.

Charlton ran 12.09 for ninth in the qualifying round, just missing out on the eighth and final spot for the final.

Cox also got fifth in the preliminaries of the women's 200 in 24.50. She came back in the final and ran 23.77 for third place. Her previous PR was 24.03.

Nakita Higgins, the lone male competitor on the team, had the seventh fastest qualifying time of 57.80 in the men's 400 hurdles. He ended up eighth in the final in 56.87, going under his PR of 57.13.

On the field, Andriel Strachan was seventh in the women's high jump with a leap of 5-feet, just shy of her PR of 5-05. The winning height was 5-10 by Nicole Greene. And Taryn Rolle was 27th in the women's long jump with a leap of 15-03. Her PR was 18-00.25. Danielle Phillips won with 19-06.75. In the triple jump, Rolle was 18th with a best leap of 35-02.75. Anasterasia Terrell won with 39-08.75.

The athletes, according to coach Charlton, performed exceptionally well and they all received a number of inquiries from college and university coaches in attendance.

"They all did a fantastic job," he said. "I was very proud of Devynne and Carmiesha. They both did their PR, which was a very good thing because it shows that we are developing and we are growing. There were a number of college coaches asking about them. At the end of the day, that is what we want for both of them. We also got some good performances from Andriel Strachan, Taryn Rolle and Nakita Higgins, who also did his PR."

Charlton was also pleased with his induction into the Hall of Fame. He was honoured for his contribution, dedication and commitment over the past decade in bringing his Star Trackers Club to the Golden South Classic. "I'm very proud that the hard work is paying off," Charlton said. "I was honoured to be among a group of outstanding coaches and athletes who were recognised for their contribution to the sport. I was really appreciated that my hard work with young people is being recognised, even if it is on the international scene."

Charlton said the athletes will now prepare themselves for the BAAA Junior Nationals.