The Tribune

BEFORE taking a break for the Christmas holiday, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations got in its Odd Distance Track and Field Meet.

The meet, held Saturday in the original Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, is normally held at the beginning of the new year.

But with the IAAF World Championships, scheduled for March 2-4 in Birmingham, Great Britain and the Carifta Games returning to the Bahamas March 30 to April 2, the BAAA decided to get a jump start on its 2018 season.

Events on the track included odd events such as the 60, 80, 150, 300, 500, 600 and 1,000 metres, which are not normally held at track meets and on the field, competitors participated in a shorter run-up in the jumps and from standing positions in the throws.

There were some exciting match-ups in just about all age groups from the under-8 to the open divisions.

One of the highlights of the day came in the open men's 300m where Janeko Cartwright, running unattached, posted a time of 33.70 seconds to pull off the win over Bahamas Speed Dynamics' teammates Stephen Newbold (34.09) and Bradley Dormeus (34.36).

Another came in the women's 150m where Jumpers Inc's Tamara Myers ran 17.03 to hold Bahamss Speed Dynamics' Valonee Robinson, who did 17.36 for second place. Denisha Cartwright of the Silver Lightning got third in 17.84.

Myers added another title in taking the triple jump with a leap of 12.63m.

Jada Knowles was a double winner in the girls' 16-17 division. She took the 150m in 16.68 over her Star Trackers' teammate Anthaya Charlton (17.20) and Lakelle Kinteh of Sun Blazers (17.56).

Knowles also won the 300m in 39.22 with Sun Blazers' Gabrielle Gibson second (40.13) and Marissa White of Club Monica (40.45) in third place.

Charlton, however, picked up a pair of victories on the field. She won the long jump with a leap of 5.40m over Kinteh (4.93) and the high jump with 1.42m over Leap of Faith's Amina Forbes on more knockdowns at the same height.

Club Monica's Denvaughn Whymns seemed to be right on form, soaring 6.24m for his victory in the boys under-17 long jump and he went on the track and sped to a triumph in the 60m hurdles in 7.50. However, he had to settle for second (15.28) in the 150m behind Moores Island's Ure Mills, the winner in 15.24.

Otto Laing, representing Club Monica, came out with a double win in the boys under-14 division. He won the 150m in 16.81 over Star Teacker's Terrance Deveaux (17.34) and the 300m in 39.19 with Roadrunners' Daniel Ermilus taking second in 40.11.

Club Monica's Rayomnd Oriakhi came through with his pair of victories in the boys under-16 150m in 15.75 eith High Performances' Lendre Lightbourne second in 16.05 and Elkan Johnson of Dtsp Wolfpack third in 16.08.

Oriakhi also won the 300m in 35.69 with Fast Forward teammates Kunal Bain (36.20) and Kendrick Major (36.61) second and third respectively.

And Beyonce Scott of the University of the Bahamas cleared 1.52m for her win in the open women's high jump. She also won the 60m hurdles in 8.81 over Petra McDonald of Power Athletics (9.07) and Denisha Cartqwright of Silver Lighning (9.33).

Megan Moss of Club Monica had one of the more impressive performances, easily winning the girls 15-and-under 300m in 39.84 with her nearest rival, Angel Pratt of Fast Forward, second in 42.08.

Lavardo Smith, a physical fitness instructor, returned to action for Power Athletics, clocking 15.33 fir his victory in the open men's 150m. Duane Murray was second in 15.56 and Cyrique Saunders was third in 15.78.

Also on the field, Bradley Cooper Jr of the University of the Bahamas doubled in the open men's shot put with a heave of 12.13m and the discus with 39.05m over his teammate Gabriel Williams, who had a toss of 32.86m.

And Taraji Hudson of Throwers Inc pulled of two victories in the boys under-16 shot put with 13.33m and the discus with 37.06m.