The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A number of exciting match-ups between local and international competitors took place on Saturday as the Star Trackers Club hosted their 10th annual Star Performers Track Classic at the new Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

A number of athletes also produced or came close to the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations qualifying standards for the Carifta Games that will take place at the stadium from March 28 to April 1 in the meet that was sponsored by the Baker Concrete International Division and Greyco Limited.

Among those in town were a small group of competitors from the United States, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Grand Bahama and Moore’s Island, who entertained a good crowd of spectators, including former NBA star Rick Fox, who played on three consecutive championship teams with the Los Angeles Lakers (2000-2002) after he played for a number of years with the Boston Celtics.

Although they are no longer eligible for Carifta, Ryan Ingraham and Jamal Wilson provided some excitement in the men’s high jump after they both bowed out at 2.20 metres or 7-feet, 2 1/2-inches.

Ingraham, the BAAA’s junior Male Athlete of the Year in 2012 after he won the Carifta gold and the IAAF World Junior Championship bronze, won the event. He said it was a good moral booster fror him as he prepare to launch his professional career in New York at an indoor meet in a few weeks.

“Coming off a hard week of practice, I was working on my rhythm,” said the 19-year-old former basketball player at CI Gibson Secondary High. “The bounce was still there, but I just couldn’t go higher. It was good to have the competition from Jamal. I’m just waiting for some of the top jumpers to come home. This stadium is great. You can’t get no better than this. It’s a fast track.”

Wilson, the 24-year-old graduate from the University of Texas, made his return to local competition after last competing at the BAAA’s Nationals in Grand Bahama two years ago.

“I like the new track, I think it was a good thing by whoever built it for us. Thanks a lot,” he said. “I like the environment, the atmosphere. There’s a lot of seats to fill, but I like the fact that we had a lot of people out here. It was also good to compete against Ryan. It was less him giving me the push I need because I’m the underdog. I have to respect him for what he’s done and I hope that he will continue to give me the push in return as we go through the rest of the season.”

Another impressive performance on the field came from Bria Sands of the Striders Track Club, who won the under-17 girls high jump with a leap of 1.60m (5-3) over Celina Thompson of Queen’s College (1.47m or 4-9 3/4). Sands also won the triple jump with a leap of 11.00m (36-1 1/4) over Elizabeth Gillispie’s 9.79m (32-1 1/2).

“It was great. I went out there and did what my coach told me to do and I put God first,” said the 15-year-old 10th grader at Nassau Christian Academy. “I prayed and through him, I was able to pull it off.”

The younger sister of national triple jump record holder Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands said she’s motivated by his performance and hopefully she can produce some outstanding performance at Carifta.

After Carifta hopeful was baskrgball player LaQuan Nairn, a medalist last year, who won the under-20 boys category with his leap of 2.20m (6-8 3/4). His nearest rival was Henry Wallace of Track Alert at 1.80m (5-10 3/4).

On the track, Blayre Catalyn ran so fast in the under-15 girls 100 (12.28 seconds) and 200 in 25.68 that she surprised herself. Catalyn left the field behind as Kayneisha Carter got second in the 200 in 12.87 and Doneisha Anderson was the runner-up in the 200 in 26.05.

“It was good. I just wanted to get out my blocks and come through very strong,” said the 14-year-old 8th grader at St. Augustine’s College. “My training is going very well. I want to make the CAC team and the Carifta teams.”

Jenae Ambrose, the speedster from Queen’s College, also pulled off the sprint double in the under-17 girls 100 in 12.03 (ahead of Krystal Mitchell’d 12.56) and the 200 in 25.02 (with Dreshanae Rolle taking second in 26.05).

“It was a good race. I just wanted to get off the curve and maintain my speed throughout the race,” said the 15-year-old 10th grader. “I was pleased with my time. I just have to finish a little stronger. But it’s good to be out here running. I think I should do very well at Carifta.”

Kinard Rolle of the Sunblazers and an 11-grader at SAC won the under-17 boys 200 in 22.13 (over Scharann Cash’s 22.80 from Spirit of Excellence) after he also took the 100 in 11.05 (ahead of Vernon Verance of Silver Lightning in 11.36).

“I tried to get out hard, but I got a little tight at the end,” said the 16-year-old Rolle, who was just shy of the Carifta qualifying time of 22.00. “I was hoping that I can 21 anything. But it was still a good race. I ran my PR (personal best) so I was pleased with it.”

Carmiesha Cox of the Star Trackers established herself as the top under-20 girls sprinter after she posted her double in the 100 in 11.86. But she had to play second fiddle in the 200 with her time of 25.22. Club Monica’s Kieanna Albury, second in the straight away race in 11.88, took the title in the half lap race in 24.96.

“It was okay. When I started, I knew I had to get out of the blocks,” said the tall power-packed Albury. “I’m really looking forward to the competition (this year) from Carmeisha.”

The under-20 boys century was won by Ambassador’s Anthony Farrington in 10.77 over his team-mate Cliff Resis in 10.79, while Levia Cadogan of the Barbados Racers was third in 10.81.

In the 200, Janeko Cartwright clocked 21.93 for the victory over Cadogan’s 22.01 to add to the Phoenix Trac’s triumph in the 400 in 49.60 over Alliance Athletic’s Anthony Adderley (49.88).

“I just had to go out and execute from the start,” said Cartwright. “I just want to thank God for the victory. I’m really looking forward to making the Carifta team and running very well here at home.”

Shakeitha Henfield, back home training in Grand Bahama, broke up an intended sweep by the Puerto Ricans in the women’s open 200 when she ran 24.64. Genoiska Cancel of Rapid Track edged her out for the win in 24.63, while her team-mate Marangely Cruz was third in 25.71.

“I’m preparing for the 400, but I’m working on my speed so I can’t complain,” Hernfield said. “I’m in good shape at this point in the season, so I’m looking forward to some good performances this year.”

Other victories for the visitors came from Jamaica’s Tatiana Wolfe. The St. Jago High representative crossed the line in 49.17 in the under-20 girls 400 hurdles ahead of Ochee Smith of the Sun Blazers in 52.34. Wolfe also doubled up in the 400 hurdles in 1:03.62 over Club Monica’s Mesha Newbold in 1:04.33. Meawhile Oshir Brooks-Gillings also from St Jago captured the under-20 girls 400 in 57.51, followed by Newbold in 57.71.

Keilando Goborn, who coached a five-woman team from Jamaica, said he was pleased with their performance.

“I think they did extremely well. We were entered in the sprint hurdles, the 4 x 1 and the 400 hurdles,” he said. “In Jamaica, we coach our athletes to compete first in our national championships and the Carifta Games are secondary. So we are preparing for our national championships and not so much Carifta.

“But we are champions wherever we go. Regardless of the Bahamas hosting the games, we will still go back home with the most gold medals. What I would love for the Bahamas to do is to try and unite as one Caribbean and let’s try to out-perform the United States and continue to dominate on the world stage.”

The Star Trackers’ team of Devynne Charlton, Carmeisha Cox, Carlisa Russell and Taryn Rolle won the hyped up 4 x 100 relay in 46.73 over St. Jago’s team of Brooks-Gillings, Shenell Francis, Georgianna Gordon and Chrisdale McCarthy (47.03). Club Monica’s team of Simone Stubbs, Kieanna Albury, Makeya White and Natishkah Johnson was third in 48.50.

The meet also saw the return of Katrina Seymour, who at one point was listed as one of those athletes to excel on the international scene. After sitting out all of last year, Seymour easily captured the open women’s 400 hurdles in 1:01.15.

“I’m back to doing what I love,” she said. “Right now, I’m not 100 perfect because this is the beginning of the season, but I’m okay.”