The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THREE spots will be up for grabs for the Bahamas in the men’s high jump at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the Bahamian fans got a sneak preview of what to look for when the four contenders renew their rivalry at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National trials in June.

Donald Thomas, the 2007 world champion, showed that he’s ready to clinch his spot, winning the early showdown in the Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Saturday.

He cleared 2.23 metres or 7-feet, 3 3/4-inches to outduel Trevor Barry, the 2011 World Championship bronze medallist, who did 2.20m (7-2 1/2) for second and Jamal Wilson, who got third with 2.15m (7-0 1/2), coming off his initial senior national team at the IAAF World Indoors in Portland, Oregon, in March.

Ryan Ingraham, the 22-year-old 2012 World Junior Championship bronze medallist, 2011 Pan American Junior Championship silver medallist and four-time Carifta medallist, didn’t clear a height.

Thomas, 31, the most decorated of all of the local competitors, winning the gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and gold and silver at the 2011 and silver at the 2007 Pan American Games as well as gold at the CAC Games, said it was a little difficult to jump in the head wind, but he will take the performance. “We gave it our best and this is just the season opener, so we are looking at going forward,” Thomas said. “I expected it would be the battle of the Bahamians and it did, but it was a difficult environment to compete in, but we gave it our best.”

The Grand Bahamian native is now preparing to head to Qatar to compete in his next meet.

Barry, the 32-year-old 2010 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and a double silver medallist at the CAC Games and a gold and silver medallist at the CAC Championships, admitted that his performance could have been much better. “No excuses. I’m disappointed in my performance, but at the same time, I got the opportunity to come in this event that is being held by Chris Brown,” Barry said. “So it’s always good when you can get an opportunity to come home and compete, especially with the list of competitors who are here. I definitely expected to jump higher than that.”

Barry will be back in action next weekend at the Drake Relays at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He noted that he just has to work on his approach and once he does, he will be in a much better position to soar higher.

As for Wilson, the 27-year-old said he’s looking to improve on his performance when he travels to Des Moines, Iowa, as well to compete at the Drake Relays.

“My rhythm fell off and the atmosphere fell a bit off, but thank God for life,” Wilson said. “It felt good. I wanted to beat them so bad, but today they got me. I can’t do anything but that, but try to get them the next time. This was the home crowd so you always want to try and do something special for them.”

The trio are gearing up for their rematch at the Nationals and so is Ingraham, who had his share of problems. His coach James Rolle indicated that he intends to have him ready for the showdown where there is more at stake than just a final position. The goal is to make the team for Rio.