CARIFTA Games athletes Sarah Belle and Rowland Kirton-Browne displayed their class, but it was virtual unknown Miguel Nicholas who caught the eye during the World Athletics Day Meet at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Apart from an Under-18 division, the meet was mainly used as the first trial for the Caribbean Union Of Teachers (CUT) Games in Bermuda in July, and a number of junior athletes such as siblings Caleb and Aaron Massiah and twin sisters Tia and Tania Applewhite made early claims for selection on the Barbados team.
Belle, a CARIFTA 100-metres hurdles bronze medallist, impressively won the Girls’ 200 metres in 24.66 seconds from Shemia Odaine, who clocked a career-best 24.82. Deandra Foster was third in 25.58.
Akayla Morris returned to the track after missing the inter schools championships but was fourth overall in 26.02 seconds.
Odaine also had a winning effort of 5.63 metres in the long jump.
Kirton-Browne, who won silver in the javelin at CARIFTA, continued her dominance in that event with a winning throw of 41.93 metres. She also triumphed in the shot put (11.75) and discus (31.97).
Michael Patrick (22.72), after being passed by Laquan Trotman (22.90) stormed back to nip his rival on the line in the Under-18 Boys’ 200.
The 15-year-old Nicholas, who is also Ellerslie’s basketball captain, caused an upset by winning the Under-18 Boys’ 800 metres in 2:02.03 minutes. The six-footer overtook leader Samuel Alkins (2:03.03) over the last 60 metres after tracking him throughout the race.
Don-Ross Oliver was a double winner, taking the Under-18 Boys’ shot put in 12.94 metres and the discus (32.52).
CARIFTA debutante Anika Blackman captured the 100-metres hurdles in 15.03 seconds.
CARIFTA athlete Tia Hinds and Vivica Addison cleared 1.50 metres in the high jump, as well as Under-15 girl Kay’ghun Rouse. Tiara Stewart leapt 5.13 in the Under-15 Girls’ long jump.
Among the Under-15s, Caleb Massiah leapt 5.59 metres in the long jump. His brother Aaron triumphed among the Under-13 Boys with a jump of 4.59 metres, from Daniel Duncan (4:58). Aaron also won the high jump, clearing 1.35 metres, while Caleb (36.23) was second to Jadon Harris (38.87) in the javelin.
Brianne Waldron won the Under-15 Girls’ javelin with 33.13 metres.
Tia Applewhite (14.43) won the Under-11 Girls’ 100 from Tania (14.46), who turned the tables in the 300 metres, winning in 47.72 with Tia (48.77) second. Tania (3.78) and Tia (3.64) finished behind Amara Harewood (3.83) in the long jump.
Aaliyah Agard was the class act in the Under-15 Girls’ 100 metres, clocking 12.70 seconds.
The fastest Under-13 girl was Skye Spencer-Layne, who clocked 13.57 seconds. Jaquan Pilgrim (13.26) and Tyjah Bishop (13.30) were the top two Under-13 Boys’ sprinters, while Sean Raphael (12.10) won the Under-15 Boys’ 100.
Shadae Worrell won the Under-15 Girls’ 400 metres in 61.78 seconds from Tionce Walrond (62.27).
Zakiaya Hunte (63.61) triumphed in the Under-13 Girls’ 400 from Jahzara Holford (64.21). Kalescia Downes prevailed in the long jump with 4.23 metres.
Josiah Parris took the Under-15 Boys’ 400 metres in 58.11 seconds, while Ismail Alleyne (60.57) triumphed among the Under-13 Boys. (EZS)
