Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm

By Renaldo Dorsett

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

#The Miami Marlins continue to solidify their position in the National League East standings with another win against the Philadelphia Phillies in the season finale between the two teams.

#Jazz Chisholm went 1-4 with one RBI on the afternoon.

#The Marlins won 6-2 over the Phillies at Marlins Stadium in Miami, Florida.

#With the Marlins trailing 1-0 in the second inning, a seven pitch at-bat against Vince Velasquez culminated in Chisholm’s game-tying RBI single.

#Chisholm fell behind 1-2 in the count with strikes from a knuckle curve. After a ball evened the count 2-2, Chisholm fouled off another knuckle curve to keep the at-bat alive.

#Velasquez delivered another ball on pitch six and on pitch seven, he threw the third knuckle curve of the at-bat which Chisholm drove to centrefield and scored Matt Joyce.

#The Marlins added two runs in the third and another in the fourth to go ahead 4-1.

#Chisholm struck out in two consecutive plate appearances and grounded out in the eighth inning. Miguel Rojas and Starling Marte each delivered solo home runs to give the Marlins their biggest lead of the game.

#Chisholm started the game in the field at shortstop but also saw time at secondbase after an injury to starter Isan Diaz. Brian Anderson came in at third, Rojas shifted to shortstop and Chisholm moved to secondbase.

#The Marlins won seven of 10 games against the Phillies this season and five of the current seven-game series.

#Chisholm is hitting .161 with five hits, six runs scored and three RBI since his MLB call-up.

#For the remainder of the season, the Marlins are scheduled to play everyday through September with a series against the Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees.

#The 2020 MLB playoffs are less than two weeks away and the Marlins have sole possession of second place in the division (NL East) at 24-21 and the No.5 seed overall in the National League.

#The final four series of the season will feature games pivotal in the wild-card positioning and postseason seeding as teams jostle for playoff position in the new expanded format.

#The MLB playoffs will feature 16 teams for the first time in league history.

#According to ESPN, “The top two teams in each division, plus the two remaining teams with the best records in each league, will make up the eight-team fields in the American and National Leagues. The division winners will be the top three seeds in each league, with the second-place teams slotted as seeds four through six, and the remaining two qualifiers seeded No.7 and No.8.”

Friday, October 9, 2020

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

#Jazz Chisholm made his Major League Baseball postseason debut in what turned out to be the final game of the season for his Miami Marlins as they were eliminated from the playoffs.

#Chisholm started at second base and hit sixth in the lineup of the Marlins’ 7-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves yesterday in game three of the National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

#He became just the second Bahamian born player to play in the MLB postseason following Ed Armbrister’s run with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s.

#Chisholm finished 1-3 with a walk, but the entire Marlins lineup struggled offensively with just five hits on the afternoon.

#His first postseason hit of his career came in the bottom of the ninth inning, a double to left centre off the Braves’ Shane Greene. Chisholm’s double hit off the top of the wal, inches away from what would have been a solo home run. The Marlins challenged, but the call on the field was upheld by the umpire.

#He walked in his first plate appearance and eventually advanced to third after a hit and run from Miguel Rojas and a groundout from Magneuris Sierra. Chad Wallach struck out to leave Chisholm stranded at third to end the second inning.

#The Braves erupted for four runs in the third inning to take control for good and the Marlins failed to capitalise on several scoring opportunities.

#Chisholm’s second plate appearance came in the home half of the third inning with the bases loaded, but the Marlins again left runners stranded with an opportunity to score. With two on and no out, Jesus Aguilar and Brian Anderson both struck out before Garrett Cooper walked to load the bases.

#Chisholm’s hit traveled 105.5 mph, the hardest of any hit on the afternoon and the second hardest hit ball of his young MLB career, but Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies was in a position to field it and close out the inning unscathed.

#The Braves would go on to score one run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth for the game’s final margin.

#Chisholm was moved into the starting lineup and Jon Berti, who had started at second in each of the four previous postseason games, moved to right field.

#Marlins manager Don Mattingly told MLB.com that he had confidence in Chisolm to have an impact and expressed excitement at his future impact with the club.

#“Jazz is a different little dude, just his way of thinking, but I think he’s going to be really good. I think he’s going to have to make sure he continues to mature in his work, especially at the plate [and in] his discipline and work more than anything else,” Mattingly said. “He sees the ball really well. He sees it early, which is a trait of guys that really end up really hitting that are able to [see] balls so quickly and recognise. So his energy’s been great, he works extremely hard. We just got to make sure it works consistently, works smart.”

#Chisholm has traditionally played shortstop but has played predominantly at second for the Marlins since his callup.

#“Usually, those guys in the middle can play just about anywhere. Jazz has come up as a shortstop. I’m sure he’s played some second at some point somewhere in his life. You play baseball, you play all over. Guys like him, they’re so athletic, quick … second base is probably even easier for him,” Mattingly said, “The reasons, probably, he’s at short mostly coming up is he’s got a cannon, he’s got an arm that plays at short and obviously that bat. That power potential there is a guy that you expect to play short. It’s a game-changer in that respect.”

#Chisholm made Bahamian baseball history with several milestones this season. The Marlins’ No. 4 prospect and No. 61 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, was expected to start the season with the Marlins’ AAA affiliate, the Wichita Wind Surge of the Pacific Coast League.

#The COVID-19 pandemic canceled Minor League Baseball in 2020 and shortened the Major Leagues to a shortened 60-game season. The Marlins were one of the teams hit by the pandemic early in the season and had the highest roster turnover of any team in the league.

#The 22-year-old Chisholm made his historic debut on September 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Stadium. He entered the game as a defensive substitute in the top of the eighth inning for Rojas and officially became just the seventh Bahamian to play in the major leagues.

#On the very first pitch he saw defensively, Cavan Biggio hit a line drive shot directly to Chisolm who fielded it for his first MLB out. He discussed the thrill of the callup with reporters following his debut.

#“Everyone was telling me they were so proud of me and that I’m an inspiration to them and some of them were the guys that I was looking up to when I was younger so it touches me that I can touch anyone’s heart in the Bahamas. We know how the struggle has been back home for the past year with COVID-19 and I got called up to play on September first which makes a year since Hurricane Dorian passed, so all of that made it a special time for me,” he said, “Having my debut in Miami the closest place to home when I can’t be home, I’m always at a loss for words when I think of it. Getting called up to a playoff potential team, and I believe we’re going to make the playoffs, it’s just amazing. I think the whole Bahamas are Marlins fans now.”

#In 21 games this season he hit .161 with a .563 OPS a .242 OBP, nine hits, two home runs, nine runs, six RBI and two stolen bases.

#He recorded the first hit of his MLB career on September 5 with a single against the Tampa Bay Rays and scored the first run of his career the following day against the Braves on September 6.

#Chisholm’s breakthrough at the plate came on September 9 against the Braves when he recorded his first major league home run, RBI, triple and multi-hit game.

#He became the third youngest Marlins player to have a game with a home run and a triple. The only players to do it at a younger age were Giancarlo Stanton and Jeremy Hermida.

#Chisholm had his best game of the year in the regular season finale when he blasted his second home run of the season and finished 2-4 with three RBI and scored two runs.

#The Marlins were one of the most improbable stories in the MLB this season. They were the worst team in the National League a season ago at 57-105 and returned in 2020 to finish 31-29 for their first winning season since 2009 and earn their first playoff berth since 2003.

#Adversity hit the club early in the year when they were hampered by a COVID-19 breakout which forced a constant roster turnover throughout the season. Eighteen players tested positive for COVID-19 and the Marlins had more transactions than any other team in an effort to fill roster spots. Their 16 season playoff drought was the second-longest active streak in the majors.

#Once they reached the postseason, the No.6 seeded Marlins advanced to the NLDS with a two game sweep of the No.3 Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card round on the road at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

#TODAY, in our feature on the Bahamas Olympic Committee’s Road to Rio, Brazil, for the 2016 Olympic Games, we take a look back at some of the pioneers of the sport.

#The spotlight first falls on Frank Rutherford, who made history by winning the country’s first Olympic and World Athletics Championships medals.

#Frank Garfield Rutherford Jr MBE was born November 23, 1964, and competed in three Olympic Games as a triple jumper. When he won a bronze medal in Barcelona in 1992, he became the first Bahamian to win a track and field Olympic medal.

#He now runs a programme which prepares young Bahamian students to play college basketball and American football in the United States. He was a four-time participant at the World Athletics Championships.

#Rutherford attended the University of Houston, where he received Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Computer Science. He became the first Bahamian to win more than three NCAA triple jump championships.

#Rutherford won the Bahamas its first World Championship medal with a bronze in the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

#Rutherford was the US Indoor Track and Field champion in the triple jump in 1991 and still currently holds the triple jump record for the University of Houston. He followed that with winning a silver medal at the 1992 World Cup in Havana, Cuba. His personal best was 17.41 metres, a Bahamian record that has later been beaten by Leevan Sands.

#Rutherford is considered the Olympic pioneer in the Bahamas because he was the first to win medals at the Olympic and World Championship levels. He is considered the Father of Track and Field in the Bahamas.

#Rutherford now lives in Houston, Texas with his family, He operates the Mega Malt Elite Programme, which has assisted a number of Bahamian student athletes from throughout the country to excel, not just in track and field, but also basketball and football.

#• The Tribune is following Team Bahamas in the build up to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and will be reporting from Brazil this summer. The ‘242 on the Road to Rio series’ will appear every Monday and Thursday. Comments and responses to bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

FELICITY DARVILLE

#By FELICITY DARVILLE

#I decided to start off the year with someone who inspired me when we first met face to face. We were in the office of optometrist Dr Charlene Wallace. He was quiet and unassuming, waiting for his appointment. Something told me that he had a great story to share. My instinct didn’t let me down.

#I ended up getting to know someone who has done so much for thousands of young Bahamians. He believes we all have a purpose, and he wasn’t about to let his go unfulfilled.

Marvin with some of his girl basketball superstars.

#Marvin Henfield loves basketball so much that it has become a definitive part of his life. He found his passion in high school, continued it in college and today, basketball is still one of the most important aspects of his life. He was attending high school at Nassau Christian Academy when he transitioned to Masters Christian Academy in Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 16. When he was 17 and in his junior year, Marvin led the county in scoring with 34.8 points per game and was ranked a super senior. By his senior year, he went on to lead the school to its first and only state championship. He made the all state, all tournament, all district, and all region teams. After graduating high school, Marvin attended Reinhardt University and continued playing the sport he loved. Tragically, he suffered an injury towards the end of his freshman year that would leave him in recovery for the rest of his collegiate career. He continued to focus on his education, and eventually graduated with an associate’s degree in business administration. After Reinhardt, it was on to Jacksonville State University in Alabama where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in business management.

#Marvin came home and started the climb up the corporate ladder. He was on a successful career path, but he felt there was something greater for him to achieve. He found his calling – teaching kids about the game of basketball, as well as the game of life.

#“I was 12-years-old on a path to nowhere when the light bulb went off in my head and I knew what I had to do,” Marvin shared.

#“I was born on Charles Vincent Street; I was raised in the Grove. I was attending RM Bailey, then my mom made a sacrifice for me to attend Nassau Christian Academy. I remember I got a pink slip. I felt good because no one else in the class had a pink slip… that was until I read it. I got it because I was failing history. Why was I failing? Because I didn’t have the book. Why didn’t I have the book? I realised it was because my mom was busy trying to pay the school fee and she didn’t have the money. That’s when I had a revelation. I made a decision right there and then that I would never waste my mother’s money again.”

#Marvin made good on his mother’s investment and graduated with a 3.99. Even in college, his grades stayed near a 4.0 as he continued to push himself in both academics and sports. After gaining experience in the corporate world, Marvin decided that his beginnings and life experiences were ones that many Bahamian kids could relate to. If he could share his story and get the light bulb to go off in their heads, then they, too, could become the best versions of themselves and give back to the world.

Marvin with his wife Desmona.

#It wasn’t easy at first. He was giving up a great job and salary to pursue his passion. However, it’s 11 years later and his Caribbean Sports Academy (CSA) has seen just over 5,000 kids pass through its programme, and just over 450 of them have received scholarship opportunities because of it. CSA is also a faith-based mentoring programme that focuses on life skills as well.

#What started out as a boys’ basketball programme has blossomed into one in which girls can flourish as well. Marvin has three children with his wife, Desmona. Each time, he thought he would have a boy to teach his beloved basketball skills to. Each time, the couple was blessed with a girl. The girls – Maleah, Mya and Desariah are now 16, 14 and 10 years old. When Mya approached her father and told him that she, too, had an interest in basketball, he had another light bulb moment.

#“I was having a talk with God when he showed me that here I was, trying to solve issues of crime and getting the youth on track in our country, not realising that every man comes from the womb of a woman,” Marvin explained.

#He realised that if he could get through to the girls, he would get through to the boys. That is how Girl Empowerment Hoops was born. This past Thanksgiving, the third annual event brought together five women’s collegiate basketball teams for a tournament held at the Baha Mar Resort.

#Next month, his 11-week training programme will begin. There will be specific girl sessions two days a week after school, and boys’ sessions on two alternate days. On Saturdays, there are sessions for girls and boys that will be held on Tom “The Bird” Grant Park behind AF Adderley school. By June, the 11-week programme will be over and the summer camps will begin.

#By the end of the week, Marvin will proudly launch the non-profit “International Youth Education and Sports Foundation”. His friend from NCA, Dr Simeon Hinsey, has become his partner and will serve as president of the US arm of the foundation, based in Arkansas. Dr Hinsey spent over 10 years working in college athletics as an administrator and coach.  During the 2014-15 season, he served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas. That year, the Razorbacks received an at-large bid to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

#For years, they have been working together to host successful basketball clinics in inner-city areas as well as on Andros Island, where they both have roots.

#“We are just a couple of guys born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas that have joined forces to bring you the Bahamas Hoopfest,” Marvin said of their latest venture.

Marvin with his daughters Maleah, May and Desariah.

#“For us, this classic is bigger than the game of basketball. It’s also an opportunity to impact the lives of young girls in The Bahamas and show them that there are opportunities to pursue their dreams of playing college sports and get a free college education.”

#The event consultant is Tom Collen, retired NCAA Division 1 head coach and former National Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year (1999).

#Marvin is an FIBA Certified Basketball Instructor with more than 21 years of basketball fundamentals training experience. He served as the Director of the Bahamas National Mini Basketball Program (2010-2011), National Basketball Training Instructor (2011-2014) and Skills Trainer for the Bahamas National Teams (2009-2016), Marvin has committed his life to nation building and serving the youth through sports.

#If you wish for your child to be a part of a successful sports, faith-based life skills programme, contact Marvin at (242) 424-2353.

Friday, December 7, 2018

BLAIZE Darling Jr

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BLAIZE Darling Jr, a versatile track and field athlete and basketball player, is making his presence felt for the Master’s Academy High Eagles in Orlando, Florida.

#The St Bede’s Catholic Primary School graduate, who left Queen’s College after grade nine, is helping the Eagles men’s basketball team to an impressive 3-0 win-loss record so far this season.

#In their latest game played this week, Darling Jr scored a game high 28 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals as the Eagles pulled off a 87-54 rout over Lake Howell.

#Darling Jr, 17, made the transfer this year after spending the past two years at Lake Mary Preparatory School in Lake Mary, Florida, when he left the Bahamas in 2016.

#Master’s Academy associate athletic director and basketball head coach Reggie Kohn said he’s thrilled about what Darling Jr means to their Eagles programme.

#“Blaize is a tremendous athlete that impacts the game offensively and defensively with his speed and quickness,” said Kohn of Darling Jr, who is also an exceptional sprinter and long jumper.

#So far this season, Darling Jr is averaging 15 points per game with 5.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals as he’s shooting 48 per cent from behind the three-point line.

#“Blaize has worked extremely hard on his shooting and now can not only blow past his defenders to score, but he can also make the open threes,” Kohn reflected.

#On and off the court, Kohn said Darling Jr has been a pleasant student-athlete to work with.

#“Blaize plays with passion and energy and it’s contagious,” he said. “He never takes a day off. He is a proven winner for us.”

#The season is still early for the Eagles who have 22 more games to play. But Kohn said they are looking forward to Darling Jr playing a pivotal role in their success.

#“The expectations are high to compete for a district championship and to make a run in the playoffs,” Kohn projected. “Blaize should be a big part of our success this year.”

#According to Darling Sr, his son will probably do a year of college prep so that he could develop a little more before they look at competing at the next level in college.

#After sending his son off to the United States in 2016, Darling Sr said he has no regrets of the progress he has made so far in high school. “The experience he’s had, not just in basketball, but the growth and exposure that he got, we couldn’t pay for that,” said Darling Sr, looking back in the mirror. “It was really God-ordained when he went. God was all over this thing because we had a conversation when he was in grade 7 or 8 and we talked about him going off. But at the time, I found a school that was really nice, but I wasn’t sure that I could find the tuition for it.”

#However, Darling Sr said a few months later, Darling Jr attended a basketball showdown conducted by coach Curry and the same school, Lake Mary Preparatory, they had viewed before was here.

#“After that, I saw this was God working,” Darling Sr pointed out. “We had some conversation with the coach and our family made the decision to do it. I couldn’t believe it.”

#After spending the past two years at Lake Mary Preparatory where he was the “go to player” on the basketball team, Darling Sr said he decided t make the switch to the Master’s Academy High, which is more of a Christian school.

#“If he would have stayed at LMP, he would have basically carried the team by himself because all of the seasoned players had graduated,” Darling Sr stated.

#“So I didn’t want to do that to him in his senior year. I wanted him to experience not being overworked trying to carry the whole team. So he made the transition to the Master’s Academy.”

#At Master’s Academy, Darling Jr is staying with a host family, whose son, Corey Sawyer Jr, is in the 11th grade at the same school, so he was easily accepted on the team.

#“The family he is staying with, they love him like a son,” Darling Sr said. “The daddy was an ex-NFL player, Corey Sawyer Sr, and the mom, Gladymer Sawyer, is Puerto Rican. So a lot of her ways are like a Caribbean mother.

#“His environment that he was able to go into was really good. It was just him going off and having to defend for himself or whatever. So that all worked out pretty good.”

#Sawyer Sr was a fourth round 104 pick in the 1994 NFL draft as a cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals where he played until 1998 before ending up with one season with the New York Jets in 1999.

#While the focus right now is on basketball, Kohn is hoping that Darling Jr will be available to continue his track and field exploits for the Master’s Academy in the spring.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

JP Rutherford

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#WITH this being his final year in high school at Providence Academy in Arkansas, JP Rutherford has decided to concentrate solely on track and field as he prepares to secure a division one athletic scholarship.

#Rutherford, at 6-feet, 3-inches, was also a star forward of the Patriots’ basketball team at Providence Academy.

#But his father, Peter Rutherford, said he decided to allow his 17-year-old son to just focus on track and field where they feel there is more of an upside for him to excel.

#“They will let him run pure track and with this being his last year in high school and from the offers he’s gotten so far, they have put him in an elite training programme in Arkansas, just to get his times down,” the older Rutherford said.

#“He will be running indoors for the first time this year because he was always focusing on basketball and then running track. Normally because of basketball, he only got to run track for about a month.”

#Rutherford Jr, the state champion for the 100 and 200m for Providence Academy, is expected to concentrate more on the 200/400m double rather than the 100/200m combo this year. Back in Arkansas since he spent a few weeks home in the Bahamas over the summer break, Rutherford Jr has already began training with the Power Up Track Club in Rogers, Arkansas, that is headed by Mike Trexler.

#“I did basketball and track for the past three years, but I believe I have a better opportunity to get a scholarship than basketball,” said Rutherford, a 17-year-old former student of St Augustine’s College. “So I decided to just focus on track this year.”

#This season, the ACC state champion in both sprints events for the past three years said he aims to lower his personal best of 11.00 seconds in the 100m and 22.1 in the 200m as he closes out his high school career.

#“Our team may be a bit smaller than last year because we lost our key athletes to graduation,” Rutherford noted. “So I expect to emerge as a leader on the team and be an example for the others to follow.”

#Although it’s just high school, Rutherford said the level of competition is extremely high and that is because a lot of the athletes want to be recruited to attend the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.

#While he has been looked at by the scouts from the University of Arkansas, Rutherford said if he doesn’t sign with them, he just wants to ensure that he secures a D1 scholarship so that he can pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer in the future.

#The Patriots’ head track coach is Ben Witcher. However, Austin Bivens, who previously coached the basketball team, is no longer at Providence Academy and has been replaced by Paul Maes.

Peter ‘JP’ Rutherford Jr

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE COVID-19 pandemic prevented Peter and Chavez Rutherford from travelling to Arkansas with other family members over the weekend to watch their son, Peter ‘JP’ Rutherford Jr, graduate from Providence Academy. What they didn’t regret was the decision they made four years ago to allow their eldest son to leave St Augustine’s College to further his high school education.

#On Friday night as a result of the United States and the Bahamas borders closed due to the spread of the coronavirus, the Rutherfords got to watch the graduation ceremony online as JP not only received the cum laude award, but he was also honoured as a servant leader and recognised as an international student.

#While he would have liked to have seen his family present, JP said it wasn’t their fault as COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on graduation ceremonies which, in most cases, has to be done virtually. Fortunate for him, Providence Academy actually had a ceremony with only the parents of each graduate in attendance because of the social distancing rule.

#Sharing the moment with JP were his Arkansas home parents, Gay and Barry Gasaway, whom Rutherford Sr said his family are eternally grateful for the love and affection that they are showing their son.

#The Gasaways took JP in their home from Bahamian-American Simeon Hinsey, the director of student-athlete development at the University of Arkansas, who originally arranged for PJ to stay in Arkansas with him and his family when he first arrived.

#As he reflected on the momentous occasion, JP said there was one important thing missing at the ceremony, which turned out to be an event that he will cherish with pride for the rest of his life because of his achievement.

#“It was disappointing not having my parents and family over here, but it was none of their fault,” JP said. “They watched it online, so at least they could have seen it. “I was surprised that I graduated cum laude. I didn’t believed that I did that well. The servant leader award, I was shocked that I got that too. But I was glad that as an international student, I was able to make my parents and the Bahamian people very proud.”

#As a 6-foot, 3-inch forward on the Patriots basketball team, JP averaged about eight points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots. Two years ago as a sprinter on their track team, JP ran his lifetime achievement of 11.00 seconds in the 100 metres and 23.1 in the 200m.

#He suffered a grade-A right hamstring injury in December and had worked his way back into form and was preparing to compete outdoors this year, but all sporting activities was shut down because of COVID-19 and he wasn’t able to display his true potential as he winded down his campaign for the Patriots.

#The injury and the cancellation of sports hampered JP’s ability to land an athletic scholarship to a prestigious college or university. But more importantly, JP was given an academy scholarship to attend Harding University, a division II school in Arkansas where he intent to pursue a degree in criminal justice, starting in August.

#“After I didn’t get any favorable answers from all the other schools that I applied too, within two weeks of applying to Harding University, they accepted with the scholarship,” JP said,

#“It’s a small Christian school, which is only about three hours from my high school. I also heard from the track coach, who is interested in me running track, although he couldn’t offer me a scholarship right now because they have some seniors, who are returning for their final outdoor season. That was why I chose Harding University.”

#Looking back at his tenure at Providence Academy, JP said he was pleased that he made the decision to leave SAC to complete his high school education because he was able to grow spiritually, physically and mentally.

#“I made a lot of friendships that I intent to keep for the rest of my life,” he pointed out. “I’ve also been a part of some many teams and different associations that have given me a lot of life experiences that I hope to use in college.”

#While the 18-year-old said he was disappointed when he heard that sports was going to be stopped, but it gave him the opportunity to focus on his education and it paid off in the long run as he completed his tenure with a 3.78 grade point average.

#“Our state (Arkansas) didn’t have as many cases of Covid-19 as some of the other states,” JP noted. “We had the lockdown, but it wasn’t duper crazy. I know they took down all of the rims and closed all of the gyms, so you couldn’t do anything.”

#JP, however, said he’s glad that they have eased up a lot of the regulations and while they still have to practice the social distancing, he miss being at home in the Bahamas.

#“One of the first thing I would like to do when everything is done and we can travel, I would like to see my grandmothers, Minister Esmeralda Rutherford and Deloris Darling. I haven’t seen them in a while,” JP said.

#“I would also like to see some of the people who were there for me from the time I left the Bahamas. I’m just grateful to everyone in the Bahamas who was praying for me. I hope I did them all proud.”

#Rutherford Sr said when they made the decision to send JP off, there were some naysayers who tried to discourage them.

#“I’m glad we made the decision. We trusted God,” he said. “To see him go over there and become a government leader in his school was quite an accomplishment. He was able to develop his leadership both on and off the court and the track.”

#Rutherford Sr, a graduate of Nassau Christian Academy, who went on to attend St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina with his brother Patrick on soccer scholarships, said while they didn’t get to witness JP’s high school graduation, they are looking forward to do it at the end of his collegiate career.

#“Covid-19 has taught us so much. We have a lot to be thankful for at the end of the day,” said Rutherford Sr, a Bs major in accounting and a CPA, who faced his own personal challenge on his job on his birthday last month.

#“He was able to do exactly what he went over there for. We were not there to physically watch it, but he made us proud. Our family, his grandparents and some other members of our family were looking forward to going there for the graduation.”

#On December 28 when JP pulled his hamstring in Alabama, Rutherford Sr was there to watch him compete in a track meet. After he got the necessary treatment and therapy from the University of Arkansas, JP suffered the flu as he competed in his first track meet. The next scheduled, the season was shut down in March because of Covid-19.

#“The times he ran in grade 10, he was looking to improve on them this year,” Rutherford Sr said. “So it will be interesting when he get to Harding University whether they want him to run track, play basketball or even football.

#“He’s never played football obviously, but we’re just watching to see what they will do. Harding is a small Christian school where he could get a good quality education. I’m so proud to see how he’s done both academically and athletically coming out of Fox Hill.”

#Rutherford Sr said despite the racial tension that has resurfaced in the United States after the death of George Floyd in Minnesota and the unrest that he brewed round the country, he’s proud that his son was connected with a loving and caring white family in the Gasaways.

#“Gay and Barry Gasaway have been nothing short of amazing. I think they spooled JP more than they did their own children,” Rutherford Sr said.

#“They sacrificed so much for him on their ranch. I think God has selected JP for the right time and place with that family. Never once did me and my have a concern about his wellbeing or care taking. Even when he got injured, they made sure he had the best medical attention.”

#JP couldn’t agree more.

#“I really didn’t have to worry about anything. They made me felt right at home,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a better family to get through this experience. I appreciate them so much for all that they did for me and my family.”

#As he now prepare for his tertiary education at Harding University, Rutherford Sr said JP will be in good company as he continue his athletic pursuits. He noted that the head track coach, Don Hood, is one of his fraternity brothers, who has wowed to ensure that he gets the best opportunity to succeed.

#“God has a reason for everything,” Rutherford Sr said. “That’s why he didn’t get in any of the bigger schools because he didn’t have any times this year.

#“He didn’t have any indoor season, he suffered the hamstring and then Covid-19 shut down everything. But he’s still got an academic scholarship and will still get an opportunity to compete in sports at the collegiate level.”

#With two younger sons still at home, Rutherford Sr said he doesn’t envision any of them following JP in leaving the Bahamas for high school.

#He said Perez Rutherford, 14, is heading into the ninth grade at St Augustine’s College and he’s plying flag football and is a member of the Barracuda’s Swim Club, while Paidin, aa 11-year-old preparing or grade five at Kingsway Academy, is participating in soccer and will be joining the Barracuda’s this year.

#“I believe they both will be taller than JP, but it will be seen whether or not they will surpass what JP is doing,” Rutherford Sr said. “I’m not pushing any of them in sports, but whatever they decide to do, I will be there to support them just as I did with JP.”

Friday, October 9, 2020

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER graduating from Providence Academy as a two-sport star in track and field and basketball, Peter ‘JP’ Rutherford Jr, pictured, is now making his transition at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas where his concentration will be solely on track as a sprinter.

#The 18-year-old son of Peter Chavez Rutherford as been at the division II school where he intent to pursue a degree in criminal justice since August, but he admitted that he’s trying to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected his room-mate.

#“My room-mate has contracted the virus, but it’s not that bad. I’m okay. I don’t have any symptoms, so I feel fine,” Rutherford Jr said. “I have taken the necessary precautions to take care of myself. I’ve doubled up on my vitamins and drink plenty fluids.”

#At Harding University, Rutherford Jr said the Bison track team have already started practicing for the 2021 season and he’s making the adjustment from high school to college in his freshman year.

#“I’m looking forward to improving my times,” he stressed. “Hopefully I can get into the weigh room and work on developing my strength.”

#Although he’s had a fantastic performance as a member of the Patriot men’s basketball team at Providence Academy, the 6ft, 3in Rutherford Jr said he decided to focus his attention on track because he feel he have the best opportunity to succeed in the future.

#“I just want to be able to compete as well as I could for the school, just as I did for Providence,” said Rutherford Jr of his expectations at Harding. “I prefer to compete in track and I know I have a chance to do very well in the sport.”

#In Searcy, according to Rutherford Jr, everyone is taking the virus seriously and are doing all they can to ensure that they stay safe.

#“Everywhere we go, people are wearing masts and abiding by the rules, so that is good,” Rutherford Jr summed up. “At school, we are also taking the necessary precautions. It was a bit of surprise when my room-mate got the virus, but we are dealing with it.

#“I just thank God that I don’t have any symptoms and I am doing okay right now.”

#As a forward, Rutherford Jr led the Patriots basketball team with an average of eight points, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocked shots. Two years ago as a sprinter on their track team, JP ran his lifetime achievement of 11.00 seconds in the 100 meters and 23.1 in the 200m.

#In December, he was sidelined with a grade-A right hamstring injury in December and had worked his way back into form and was preparing to compete outdoors this year before all sporting activities was suspended because of COVID-19.

#That hampered Rutherford Jr in his quest to secure an athletic scholarship to a more prestigious division one college. But Rutherford Jr said he’s quite contended where he’s at and looking forward to making his presence felt next year at Harding University.

Friday, May 11, 2018

#THE Bahamas Chess Federation is pleased to announce the members selected to represent the Bahamas at the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, September 23 to October 7.

#The players were chosen from a combination of qualifying tournament results, event participation and community involvement.

#FIDE master Carver Moncur, candidate master Kendrick Knowles, national master Byron Small, woman candidate master Polina Karelina and Chapell Whyms will share the enormous honour of wearing the country’s black, blue and gold.

#Equally significant is the fact that this is the first time a female player has been selected to represent the Bahamas at a Chess Olympiad.

#The Olympiad members have already received professional training online and have attended the May 4-6 training session with grandmaster Renier Gonzales.

#The BCF will continue to provide training opportunities to the national team members to prepare them for what is expected to be a tough battle against 170 competing countries.

#Before participating in the Olympiad, members of the national team will be required to support the federation’s community efforts and to assist in the development of the country’s junior players.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

#By RENALDO DORSETT

#Sports Reporter

#rdorsettt@tribunemedia.net

#MIND sports, like chess, continue to increase their profile in the Bahamas and just on the heels of an historic performance in international competition, a trio of local chess veterans have received a prestigious award by the international governing body of the sport.

#Elton Joseph, Kendrick Knowles and Cecil Moncur were named candidate masters by the World Chess Federation based on their performance at the recent 2014 Chess Olympiad hosted in Tromso, Norway.

#It brings the total number of candidate masters in the Bahamas to four as they joined junior phenom Nathan Smith who received the honour based on his performance at the 2013 CAC Youth Festival.

#Joseph, Knowles and Moncur scored at least 50 per cent in a minimum of seven games at the event, the first time the Bahamas competed in the Chess Olympiad in over two decades.

#They led the Bahamas to its best performance ever, a finish at no.118 overall in a group 174 countries. They began the tournament ranked no.158.

#The BCF credits much of its success to contracted Serbian grandmaster Predrag Trajkovic who devoted two months of his time to training the players online prior to the tournament and to serve as team captain during the two-week event, developing strategies against opponents and providing post-analysis of the players’ games.

#Andre White, president of the Bahamas Chess Federation, applauded the performance.

#“The players really bought into the training,” he said. “It took a few rounds for them to settle in and believe in themselves, but once they realised that the stage was not too big for them, the results began to come,”White said.

#“We played against proven chess masters and were able to hold our own. The guys are incredibly motivated now to continue their training and to represent the country at upcoming international tournaments. They saw the results of preparation, and the efforts that we put into participating in this Olympiad were well worth it.”

#The 42nd Chess Olympiad is scheduled to be held in 2016 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the Bahamas Chess Federation is reportedly making preparations for a team to attend.

#Scheduled training will continue, local playing opportunities will be expanded, and an international tournament hosted by the Bahamas is being discussed for 2015.

#Back in January, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson announced in the House of Assembly that the often overlooked genre of mind sports would be implemented in school sporting curriculums in 2014.

#“We can excel in these mind sports. It brings me to an idea of what we are trying to do this year of expanding sports,” he said.

#“I am very proud to say today that along with the Ministry of Education, that chess and other mind sports will be introduced to schools all across the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, the full 164 schools, this year,” he said.

#“These are the young people that we are breeding in this country. There are thousands and thousands of them and I am going to overwhelm the public with these people so that ‘those’ people can get off the front page.”