The Tribune

By TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian professional track and field athletes stole the show on day two of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ (BAAA) Junior & Senior National Track and Field Championships.

In his return to The Bahamas, Olympian Steven Gardiner had all eyes on him in the senior men’s 400-metre finals.

Athletes also continued their quest of qualifying for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under-18 and Under-23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica. Also, the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, as well as the Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

SENIORS

With most of the home crowd anticipating yesterday’s 400m finals featuring Gardiner, the two-time Olympic medallist did not disappoint.

Gardiner came away with a comfortable victory in the finals, running a time of 44.64 for the win. Sprinter Wendell Miller came in second with a season’s best of 46.16. Third place finish belonged to Gregory Seymour of UCAC track and field.

Gardiner said it felt good to be at home and he stuck to his coach’s plan in the race. “It’s good to be back home for one, yesterday in the semi-final, my coach we had a plan to run a certain time and we did that yesterday and today he wanted a 44 so I had to give him a 44 today. It’s a good run, I felt very relaxed and I felt comfortable and that’s the most important part about it. I am healthy after the race,”he said.

He added that he feels like his old self again after being out due to Achilles and spinal injury last year.

In the women’s finals, CARIFTA gold medallist Lacarthea Cooper outran her opponents with a time of 54.12. Megan Moss from the University of Kentucky followed behind in 55.10. Meanwhile, Breanna Pratt wrapped up in third with 57.14.

The remaining three events for the heptathlon concluded for sisters Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Shaunece Miller on day two. In the javelin throw, the younger sister notched a throwing distance of 21.41m.

Meanwhile, the Olympian threw at a distance of 18.05m.

In the long jump, Miller leapt to a height of 4.97m (+1.1). The younger Miller completed the final event, which was the 800m race, in 2:38.47.

Both women said it was fun to experience competing against each other.

“It’s a blessing just to be able to compete with my little sister. “I always wanted to compete with her so it was a lot of fun over these past two days,” Miller-Uibo said.

She added that her favourite event of the seven was the shot put. She said she wants to take it slow this year, get ready for next season and focus on the Olympics.

Despite the shock by many about the quick return of the two-time Olympic gold medallist after delivering her baby in April, she said she was not surprised and did not feel like her body took any big toll. She added that she missed running and it felt awesome to be back at home to enjoy the food, beaches and herself.

In the men’s high jump, Grand Bahamian Donald Thomas finished with a season’s best jump of 2.28m. High jumper Kyle Alcine ended in second with 2.15m and third place went to the CAC Games bronze medallist Shaun Miller Jr.

Thomas talked about how it felt to come away with the win.

“It feels good. I am glad to be here in Nassau, I am satisfied. I wanted to jump higher but I take the win. It’s great to be home, this is where I was born and raised in The Bahamas, I love this place and it’s just a privilege and honour to represent the country,” Thomas said.

JUNIORS

Zion Miller, of Bahamas Speed Dynamics Elite, outran his competitors in the under-18 boys 400m finals. He notched a personal best time of 48.12. Grand Bahama’s Zion Shepherd finished shortly after with 48.56 and Tumani Skinner of Red-Line Athletics came third with 48.79.

Alexis Roberts won the 400m finals for the under-18 girls with a personal best time of 57.02 (.014). Nya Wright of Red-Line Athletics claimed second with 57.02 (.020) in a close finish between her and the winner. GB Heat Athletics’ Janiyah Rolle ended the race in third.

Melvinique Gibson of the T-Bird Flyers continued her season’s momentum, earning another win in the under-20 girls 400m finals. She ran a time of 1:00.09. Olivia Denney came second with 1:00.27 and Adonya Stanislaus of Bahamas Speed Dynamics Elite finished in third place.

Gibson said she tried to be relaxed in the race, using her strides to follow her coach’s advice. She added that she could have done better but you win some and lose some so she is content for now with her time and performance.

For the under 20 boys 400m finals, Matthew Chandler of Fast Forward Athletics ran a season’s best time of 48.78. Shimar Bain, who ran unattached, clocked 48.86 for second and Taryll Thompson of Fast Forward Athletics followed behind with 49.67.

The final day of the BAAA Junior & Senior National Track and Field Championships is slated to begin at 3pm today in the original Thomas A Robinson stadium.