Two more athletes, both in the field, stepped up to reach the CARIFTA Games qualifying standards at the League 2 athletics meet held last Sunday at the National Stadium.
Reigning Under-17 boys’ triple jump champion Shamar Rock hopped, skipped and jumped to 14.09 metres, just past the required 14 metres flat.
However, he will need to go at least a full metre farther to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships.
Nicoliai Bovelle’s first throw in the men’s Under-20 javelin seemed to be quite far with the naked eye, but when he was seen jumping around the competition area on the next round, there was no doubt that he had surpassed the 59-metres standard. He threw 59.44 metres.
Tristan Whitehall, who was the first to qualify with an effort of 15.44 metres, upped the ante with a throw over 16 metres to take the shot put event.
In other events, Jalisa Burrowes impressed in the Under-18 Girls’ 300 metres hurdles, winning in 48.45 seconds, but she needs to take a few seconds off to secure her second trip to the Games, to be held in Bermuda from April 7 to 9.
Shakera Hall, in her first year in the Under-20 division, won the 400m hurdles in 1:07.33 and Shani Adams was about two seconds behind her.
Kion Joseph took the Under-18 Boys’ 400m hurdles in 55.17 seconds, followed by Dario Scantlebury in 57.02.
Jahvere Worrell opened the season with 55.01 metres in the men’s race, beating Tramaine Maloney (55.19) and half-miler Jerrad Mason (56.21).
This race is shaping up to be one to watch as the season progresses.
The numbers continue to be large for the men’s sprints, but the times are yet to reflect any true quality. Last week’s 100m winner Mario Burke false started and Nicholas Gill won the 200m in 22.00 seconds, with Levi Cadogan second overall in 22.04.
Tristan Evelyn accelerated out of the field to win the women’s race in 25.09 seconds, overtaking Hall (25.30). Akela Taylor, winner of another heat, was second overall in 25.18.
Among the other 200m winners were siblings Leilani Haddock (29.95) and Ajani Haddock (27.75) in the Under-11 division; Rosette Hoyte (26.33)
and Fabian Leon (26.28) among the Under-13s and Danae Gill (25.99) and Michael Belgrave (24.36) among the Under-15s.
Also impressing was Rivaldo Leacock who sprinted the entire Under-15 Boys’ 600 metres, coming home in 1:27.81 ahead of Shem Forde (1:40.17). Tiana Bowen won the girls’ race with a strong run clocked at 1:45.03.
Antonio Farrell leaped 4.77m to take the Under-13 long jump and Shonita Brome 4.42m among the girls.
