The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the first time in its history, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will contest its National Track and Field Championships over three days, starting tonight and ending on Sunday at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Meet director Foster Dorsett said that while they have a significant amount of athletes registered to compete, the BTC-sponsored event will be combined for both junior and senior athletes, who will be vying for spots on a number of national teams that will represent the Bahamas at various international meets this summer.

“When we talked about combining the junior and senior meets because of the scheduling problems that we faced and the time frames that we had to work with, we decided that we can give the athletes more time to rest in between their races,” said Dorsett, the first vice president of the BAAA.

We expect that some athletes may not compete here or compete there, but I think there is sufficient time in between the events for the athletes to regroup. We have decided to spread out the marquee events like the 100, 200 and 400 metres so that they are held over the three days. So I think it will go very well.”

Tonight’s featured event will be the 100 metres finals, starting at 8:15pm with the under-18 female and male, followed by the under-20 and open.

The finals for the 400m hurdles is slated to begin at 7:10pm. On the field, the high jump for under-18 and under-20 female is set for a 5:30pm start. The 400m heats will close out day one.

On Saturday, the competition will again start at 3pm, but the marquee 400m finals will take the spotlight, starting at 6:10pm. 

The finals of the 100m and 110m hurdles is scheduled to begin at 4:20pm. On the field, the under-18 male discus and under-20 male shot put will commence at 5pm, along with the heptathlon and long jump. The high jump and long jump for open men will also be contested.

Sunday’s finale will get underway at 3pm with the under-18 male shot put on the field and at 5:30pm with the octagon 110m hurdles for girls.

The heats for the 200m with the finals to close out the meet will also take place. Additionally, the 800m finals will be ran. Among the events on the field are the long jump for women and the triple jump for men.

Dorsett said with athletes still eligible to make various national teams this summer, the competition is expected to be keenly contested.

The Nationals will serve as a mandatory trials for athletes wishing to compete at the Junior World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, July 22-27 and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, July 23 to August 3.