The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Proleine Miller, Janicka Collie, Britani Munroe, Tahj’Nee Thurston, Scharann Cash, Everette Thurston, Jeorjette Williams, Barinique McIntosh, Luxonica Young, Janeko Cartwright and Claudius Russell all had one thing in common.

At the end of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s historic Senior High Track and Field Championships, the aforementioned athletes all emerged as double or triple winners in their respective events.

But while some of their performances were lost in all the excitement, it was the CV Bethel Stingrays snapping the CR Walker Knights’ stranglehold of the team title that had the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium buzzing on Friday.

The Stingrays, coached by Rupert Gardiner, spoiled the Knights’ bid for their 11th straight championship crown with a 631 1/2 point victory. Coach Floyd Armbrister admitted that their defeat by 63 points (568 1/2) was not the end of the world.

CV Bethel, however, intends to celebrate their first victory today as they “shut down” East Street South, according to Gardiner, who also made history by becoming the coach of the championship team in three different schools.

Individually, Pierre led the Stingrays’ charge as she posted her victories in the under-18 (intermediate) girls 200 metres of 25.92 seconds on Friday to go along with her triumph in the 100m in 12.63 seconds on Thursday.

“It was good. I was planning on running fast, but on the back stretch, I had a lot of wind,” Pierre said. “I still feel good about winning the 100 and 200. It was good because I know we will win the championship title too.”

Anatol Rodgers’ Scharann Cash brought some glory for the Timberwolves as he held off his twin brother, Shalom Cash, to take the under-18 boys 200m in 24.51.69 in a photo finish. His brother was clocked in 24.51.89, while Government High’s Samson Colebrooke had to settle for third in 24.52.02.

The trio took the top three spots in the 100m with Scharann Cash taking the tape in 10.89, followed by Colebrooke in 10.93, just ahead of Shalom Cash in 11.00.

“I just want to thank God for allowing me to get the win,” said Scharann Cash after his victory in the deuce. “My coach told me to maintain my start until I came to the 100m straight and just finish it up. I was glad that my brother was there to push me. I want to thank him for pushing me alone, but I really want to thank God for allowing me to get the victories.”

Government High’s Jernique Brooks made up for her absence in the century by displaying her talent as she sped to victory in the under-20 (senior) girls half-lap race in 25.04, well ahead of CR Walker’s Amber Forbes (26.94). Forbes won the straight away race in 12.99.

“It feels good. I just wanted to prove to everybody that I am capable of running very fast,” said Forbes, who was inadvertently omitted on the Magicmen’s roster for the 100m. “I just went out there and ran hard.”

Doris Johnson’s Janeko Cartwright posted a time of 21.27 in the under-20 (senior) boys 200m to hold off Government High’s Deedro Clarke, who ran out of real estate again in his effort for another second place in 21.33 as he avenged his century loss to Cliff Resias of CV Bethel (21.44).

“It was good to come out here and get another win, considering that I’m still nursing the hamstring injury,” said Cartwright, who the day before clinched the victory in the 400m. “I didn’t get the kind of start that I wanted, but I was able to make up enough ground on the homestretch to win.”

CV Bethel got a big 1-2 treat in the under-18 (intermediate) girls 400m hurdles as Janicka Collie crossed the finish line in 1:16.79 and Shatique Adderley trailed in 1:18.13 over CI Gibson’s Bendaligna Bocage in 1:28.89.

“It was good. I didn’t get out too hard. I took my time. When I got into the back stretch, I picked it up and when I got on the home stretch, I caught the girl from my school for the win,” said Collie, a 16-year-old 10th grader.

CR Walker’s Jeorjette Williams picked up another win as she took the under-20 (senior) girls 400m hurdles in 1:10.27. CV Bethel had to satisfy with second and third from Ieisha Lockhart (1:12.14) and Monisha Tilme (1:17.42).

“It was pretty good,” said Williams, who was also the winner of the 400m. “I knew when we came out the blocks, it was going to be a pretty good race. On the back stretch, it was kind of windy, but I still managed to push through it.”

The under-18 (intermediate) boys 400m hurdles went to Shakeem Smith of Doris Johnson in 59.05. He beat RM Bailey’s Edwin Altidor (59.11) in a battle to the tape. Bethel’s Chavese Moss (1:01.24) was third.

“It started off slow, but I picked it up on the back stretch,” said 16-year-old Smith, who is in the 11th grade. “Once we got on the home stretch, I realised that I was behind, but I really don’t know where that finish came from.”

And Doris Johnson’s Eric Davis proved that he was the best over the hurdles as he took the 400m race in 1:00.35 to add to his triumph in the 110m race. CV Bethel’s Stefon Brown was second in 1:02.46 with Government High’s Isreal Bodie third in 1:02.82.

“It was hard for me. I just tried my best and I won,” said Davis, a 27-year-old 12th grader. “I had to catch myself because I was pretty tired coming down the home stretch.”

While CV Bethel will look to have a quick celebration today, they will have to get back in gear for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Scotiabank National High School Track and Field Championships. The three-day meet, featuring both government and private schools throughout the Bahamas, is scheduled to begin Thursday and wrap up on Saturday.

Coach Armbrister said having lost their title, they will wait to see if the Stingrays can come out sand display the same type of enthusiasm in the Nationals as they will be coming back for revenge.