NATION NEWS
Neckles sets new 200-metre record
Published on: 7/19/06.

CARTAGENA, Colombia – Barbados took their medal haul to four, three in swimming and the other in archery – at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games.

Swimmer Nicky Neckles led the way. The three-time Olympian captured Barbados and the the English-speaking Caribbean's first gold medal when he won the 200-metre backstroke on Monday night.

Neckles, 27, clocked a games record two minutes, 00.85 seconds, to win his first CAC Games gold medal.

There were three English-speaking Caribbean medals at the Pedro de Heredia Aquatic Centre; Jamaican Alia Atkinson took silver in the women's 200-metre breaststroke, while in the men's 100 breaststroke, Barbados got silver and bronze through Bradley Ally and Andrei Cross, respectively.

Neckles swam a strong race from the start and was hardly threatened after he turned at the halfway mark.

Angela Jones did Barbados proud in archery by copping the bronze in the women's 50-metre recurved. Jones collected 315 points and finished behind Natalia Sánchez of host country Colombia (325 points) and Janeth García of Mexico (318).

In women's basketball, Barbados pulled off a thrilling 73-72 victory over Mexico.

In men's basketball, Puerto Rico beat Colombia 66-51 and Cuba overpowered Jamaica 88 -50. (CMC)