The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the third consecutive year, Cleveland Eneas Primary School captured the New Providence Principal Schools Sports Association’s Track and Field Championship title.

And on Friday at the school, coach Mariska Stubbs-Thompson and the faculty, led by principal Clarke, gave the team the royal treatment during an awards ceremony.

Cleveland Eneas posted a total of 338.50 points to secure a 65-point margin over Carmichael Primary, who had 273.50 for second. Claridge Primary got third with 221, Sadie Curtis was fourth with 210 and Thelma Gibson rounded out the top five with 126.

The remaining schools in order were Garvin Tynes (106), EP Roberts (106), Albury Sayles (83), Sandilands Primary (70.50), Columbus Primary (64), Woodcock Primary (55.50), Gambier Primary (45); Carlton E Francis (41), Gerald Cash (39), Palmdale Primary (35), Ridgeland Primary (35), Oakes Field (32), Yellow Elder (25) and CW Sawyer (19).

In posting their victory, Cleveland Eneas had a total of 25 medals, inclusive of 11 gold, eight silver and six bronze.

Among the outstanding performers were Dayona Williams, second in the B division 200m and 1st in the 100m, Atavya Fowler, 1st in the B division high jump, Richard Nelson, 1st in the 200m and 3rd in the 100m, Prince McPhee, 1st in the triple jump, Shakina Pennerman, 1st in the A division 400m, Phillip Joseph, 2nd in the A division 800m, Tashantae Wilson, 2nd and Weldine, 3rd in the 1200m, Tamia Colebrooke, 1st in the A division 800m and 2nd in the 200m, Tyrese Swain, 3rd in the B division 200m, Orlando Sherwood, 3rd in the D division 400m, Garvin McKenzie, 3rd in the D division 75m, Joshua Outten, 2nd in the A division shot put and Tomar Pennerman, 3rd in the B division 1200.

Girls open 4 x 100m relay team of Dayona Williams, Shakina Pennerman, Kenginique Butcher and Tamia Colebrooke, girls open 4 x 400m relay team of Shakina Pennerman, Tamia Colebrooke, Kenginique Butcher and Aaliyah Seymour and boys open 4x400m team of Nathan Burrows, Phillip Joseph, Prince McPhee and Tomar Pennerman, were second.

Stubbs-Thompson, who was praised and honoured for her diligence in preparing the team for the three-day meet that ran from Monday to Wednesday at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, summed up their victory as “fantastic, fabulous, awesome. I’m just so excited that all of the hard work has paid off.”

Preparing for her 10th year at Cleveland Eneas after a sting at Our Lady’s Catholic School, Stubbs-Thompson said she was impressed with the hard work and determination that was exhibited by her athletes in their bid to three-peat.

“It was an awesome experience, but we would definitely like to try and get four straight next year,” she said. “But all of my top guns will be leaving, so we will see. But I know that after watching what the team did this year, I expect to have more people coming out for the track team next year.

“I think these children love track, so I expect that more children will come out and try out for the team. I think this will really encourage and motivate them and even if I am not here, I hope that the tradition will continue in track and field.”

Tamia Colebrooke, one of those athletes who will be leaving, said she was really pleased with her performance.

“It was really good and it was a push for me because the competition was very stiff,” said the 12-year-old sixth grader, who will be heading to SC McPherson Secondary High in September.

Colebrooke said they were all appreciative of Stubbs-Thompson because “she believed in us and she pushed us to do it.”

Nathan Burrows, another senior who will be heading to SC McPherson in September, said his performance was okay. He noted that he went out and tried his best and was pleased with his effort in both the 400 and 800 as well as the 4 x 400m relay.

“Our coach really pushed us and, without her, we wouldn’t be where we are,” said the 11-year-old 6th grader. “She pushed us to the limit and now we are the champions again.”

And Barez Mayne, who earned the outstanding performance after his showing in the 200 and 400m, said he had a lot of competition, but he went out and ran very fast.

“Our coach has trained us hard and we won three in a row and we’re the champions,” said the 8th grader. “I hope that we can come back and win it again next year.’

During his congratulatory remarks, Clarke informed the students that each of their photos will be placed on a billboard outside of the gate to highlight their performances.

He said he and the faculty were so pleased that they were also treating each of them to “lunch” on Friday.

Additionally, Clarke said that they will be honouring Stubbs-Thompson by sending her on a boat trip to Eleuthera.