Home|Sports|GSSSA championships set for todaySports

Lions JG, Sharks JB, Knights SG and Timberwolves SB make finals

Simba FrenchSend an emailFebruary 15, 2023 174 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) wrapped up its sudden death basketball playoffs at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium on Tuesday and will get its best-of-three championships underway today at the same venue. Games begin at 4 p.m.

Last night, the third seeded Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves took down the second seeded Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins, 62-45, to punch their ticket to the senior boys championship. They will play the pennant-winning C.I. Gibson Rattlers. The second seeded C.R. Walker Knights’ hot shooting helped them to get a win over the third seeded C.V. Bethel Stingrays, 48-34, and they will play the top seeded Rattlers in the senior girls title series.

In the junior boys division, the  second seeded S.C. McPherson Sharks took care of the third seeded C.H  Reeves Raptors, winning 48-29 to set up a championship series against the number one seeded D.W. Davis Royals. The second seeded H.O. Nash Lions junior girls defeated the third seeded Royals 26-23 to set up a meeting with the Raptors for that title.

Junior Girls

Lions 26, Royals 23

The Lions had to fight off the Royals who made a strong push in the fourth quarter to steal the game from them. The Royals’ Kenisha Capron outscored the Lions in the fourth quarter by herself with nine points. The five points that the Lions scored in the fourth kept them alive though.

Jada Frazer scored eight points for the Lions to help them record the victory. Half of those points came in the first quarter. Capron finished the game with 13 points for the Royals.

Junior Boys

Sharks 48, Raptors 29

There was nothing that the Raptors could do to stop the Sharks’ offensive barrage. The Sharks quickly jumped out to a double digit lead, taking a 17-7 cushion at the end of one, and they never looked back.

In the second half, it was the Sharks’ show as they went on to outscore the Raptors 20-9. They held them to just three points in the third quarter.

LaQuare Collins scored a game-high 15 points for the Sharks. Malachi Cadeam chipped in with 11 points.

Chaddie Rolle led the Raptors with seven points.

Senior Girls

Knights 48, Stingrays 34

Shamaraja Cummings had the hot hand for the Knights as she torched the Stingrays for a team-high 16 points. She got help from Shenell Stewart who poured in 12 points as the duo was too much for the Stingrays.

The Knights played a strong first quarter, jumping out to a 12-10 lead after one. They took it up a notch in the second quarter, scoring 17 points in that quarter and held the Stingrays to just seven points. They went into the intermission up 29-17.

Every time the Stingrays looked like they were going to get back into the game, the Knights’ offense responded with timely buckets. A 14-8 edge in the fourth quarter helped the Knights put away the Stingrays.

Geraniqua Bethel scored 16 points for the Stingrays and Danielle McCoy chipped in with 12 points.

Senior Boys

Timberwolves 62, Mystic Marlins 45

The Timberwolves used a strong second quarter to grab control of the game. In that quarter, the Mystic Marlins tried to rally around an injured player. Laterro Young suffered a severe leg injury that stopped the game at the 1:33 mark of the first quarter. Young, who scored two points, left the gym on a stretcher and in an ambulance as both teams looked on. The first quarter ended with the game tied at nine.

The Timberwolves controlled the boards and had some second chance points in the second quarter. The Mystic Marlins never got into a rhythm in the second quarter. The Timberwolves had a 19-11 advantage to take a 28-20 lead at the half.

Jefferson Bethel, who finished with a team-high 19 points for the Timberwolves, connected on a trio of three point shots in the third quarter. Those treys helped his team keep the Mystic Marlins at bay. The Mystic Marlins were getting in a rhythm, but the Timberwolves took their game up a notch.

In the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves continued to dominate on the glass. In the end, they outscored the Mystic Marlins in the fourth quarter, 17-9.

Apart from Bethel, three other Timberwolves scored in double figures. Kirkwood Rolle had 11 points and Lavardo Saunders and Stephano Farrington finished with 10 points apiece.

Torrien Marshall led the way for the Mystic Marlins with a game-high 21 points.

Timberwolves’ Head Coach Denycko Bowles is going after a third straight GSSSA title as he goes up against the Rattlers and veteran coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson. Bowles got the better of Johnson the last time they faced in the finals, but this time Bowles is with a different school. He won the last two GSSSA titles with the Mystic Marlins, and now he is the head coach of the Timberwolves. He is focused on preparing his players for a quick turnaround as the first game of the best-of-three senior boys championship series is tonight.

https://thenassauguardian.com/gsssa-championships-set-for-today/

 Home|Sports|We have reached the 50th day countdown for CARIFTASports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailFebruary 15, 2023 150 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The countdown is on. Today marks the start of the 50th day countdown to the 50th CARIFTA Games.

Also this year is the 50th anniversary of The Bahamas’ Independence, and Prime Minister Phillip Davis sits as the head of CARICOM as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), under the leadership of its president Drumeco Archer, is working hard in the preparation of Bahamian athletes to ensure a great performance by the host nation at CARIFTA.

The Local Organizing Committee of CARIFTA (LOC) is working to acquire a minimum of 50 partners who are looking to assist and ensure the games are the most spectacular ever held.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most anticipated CARIFTA Games to date.

According to Senior Director of Marketing and Partnership Fernerin Hanna, the support from Corporate Bahamas and the local small businesses has been outstanding.

“I am amazed and touched by the growing support we have been getting from large and small businesses and individuals 

looking to make these upcoming games successful,” she said.

The 50th CARIFTA Games is scheduled for April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the LOC Lynden Maycock, all are invited to come out and support the CARIFTA Games.

“We invite Corporate Bahamas to come on board with us and make this 50th CARIFTA Games the best for our young athletes, the coaches, the supporters and everyone who will be in attendance, both in person and via televised broadcast,” said Maycock.

Over the past 50 years, the CARIFTA Games has been the premier junior track and field event in the region, and has helped to propel many young athletes from the junior level to the world stage and on to Olympic glory.

Every Thursday, the LOC puts on a ‘Come Gold With Us Thursdays’ event where the public can win prizes and giveaways, including an opportunity for a golden ticket which gives entrance to the CARIFTA Games for the full three days of competition.

Tickets for the 50th CARIFTA Games are now on sale online at the website carifta50.com or at the box office at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium’s Western Grandstand. For information on purchasing tickets, interested persons can send an email to ticketing@carifta50.com or call the telephone number (242) 605-4051.

For more information on CARIFTA, media accreditation, volunteering or vendor information, interested persons can visit the website at carifta50.com, send an email to info@carifta50.com or call telephone number (242) 605-4050.

https://thenassauguardian.com/we-have-reached-the-50th-day-countdown-for-carifta/

DEVYNNE STRIKES GOLD IN 60M HURDLES

As of Monday, February 13, 2023

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#A BAHAMIAN national indoor record for versatile Charisma Taylor and a big victory for Devynne Charlton highlighted a number of performances from Bahamian athletes around the United States in their various meets over the weekend.

CHARISMA Taylor in action.

#Taylor record-breaking performance

#Tyson Invitational

#With a winning leap of 46-feet, 00.75-metres, Taylor soared into the Bahamian record books, replacing the previous mark of (13.60m) that was set by Tamara Myers on February 10, 2018 at the Tyson Invitational.

#Her nearest rival was Mikeisha Welcome, a junior at Georgia, who did 45.00.25 (13.72m).

#“I felt good about my triple jump performance. I came into Saturday with the mindset of winning and jumping big and that’s what I did,” Taylor said.

#“I expected to jump very well this weekend and I did but to know that I have way more to give. I have been meditating and spending more time in the word and being specific with what it is that I want for my last collegiate season and God is opening my eyes to bigger and better things and giving me more than I can ever imagine.”

#Taylor said when she jumped 14.04, she knew that it was a big one but it wasn’t her best jump technically.

#“That’s why I said that there’s more in the tank,” she stressed.

#Taylor wasn’t done as she picked up a second place finish in the women’s 60m hurdles in 8.08. Masai Russell, a senior at Kentucky, was the winner in 7.94. Taylor got out of the semi-final with the second fastest time of 8.06 behind Russell’s leading time of 7.92.

#In the preliminaries, Taylor had the third fastest time of 8.17 to advance behind Russell’s top time of 8.02 and University of Central Florida’s junior Rayniah Jones, who had the second best of 8.12.

#“Hurdles on Friday was decent,” Taylor pointed out. “I am working on some new technical things and it’s a matter of time before everything clicks into place and I run the time that I know I’m capable of running.”

#In two weeks, Taylor will be back in action when she competes in the Southeastern Conference Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas, before she heads to the NCAA Indoor Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

#Also in the meet, Anthaya Charlton, a sophomore at the University of Kentucky where Bahamians Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene is the head coach and Debbie Ferguson- McKenzie is an assistant, was fifth in the women’s long jump.

#Her leap of 20-feet, 8 ½-inches, now ranks as one of longest leaps by any Bahamian.

#In the 60m, Charlton ran 7.38 for 22nd and Camille Rutherford, a sophomore at Texas A&M, was 37th in 7.49.

#Charlton also competed in the 200m where she was 44th overall in 24.11 ahead of Rutherford, who was 51st in 21.19. Rhasidat Adeleke, a sophomore at Texas, won the event in 22.68.

#Wanya McCoy, a freshman at Clemson, was sixth in the men’s 200m in 20.60. Ohio State’s Bahamian duo of senior Adrian Curry (21.19) and junior Oscar Smith (22.29) were 60th and 65th respectively. Cameron Miller, a junior at Louisville, won the event in 20.33.

#In the men’s 60, McCoy clocked 6.69 for 12th place to book a lane in the semi-finals. However, he withdrew from competing in the event.

#Curry also contested the 60m where he was 42nd in the preliminaries.

#Shaun Miller Jr, a junior at Ohio State, also competed and was 16th in the men’s high jump with a leap of 6-7 (2.01m). Ushan Perera, a junior at Texas A&M, won the event 7-4 (2.25m).

DEVYNNE CHARLTON, centre, with her parents Laura and David Charlton.

#Charlton victorious

#115th Millrose Games

#At the Nike Track & Field Center at the Amory in New York, Charlton posted a winning time of 7.91 seconds in the women’s 60m hurdles.

#Tonea Marshall of Nike was second in a season’s best of 7.94.

#Sharika Nelvis of adidas was third in 7.96.

#“I felt pretty good overall. Just to come out with the win at this level is the most important thing,” Charlton said.

#“I wished it would be a better time, but I don’t think the front half of my race was executed the way it could have been, but I am still happy with the win.”

#The win came with her parents, Laura and David Charlton, in the stands cheering for her.

#“It was really good to have them here,” said Charlton, who noted that it was the first meet they attended this year. “To come back on a field like that is very special. To come back on a field like that is an accomplishment and I’m glad that they got to see it.”

#Charlton, 27, will now turn her focus on the outdoor season and the trek towards the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, August 19-27. She will take a few weeks off before she starts her outdoor campaign.

#Andrews won hurdles

#Jarvis Scott Open

#At the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas, Antoine Andrews picked up the victory in the men’s 60m hurdles in 7.59. He was followed by Americans Taylor Rooney in 7.77 and Tyrin Lewis in 7.79.

#Also, Lacarthea Cooper won the Final 3 of the women’s 400m in 54.85. Jamaica’s Shadae Findley was second in 54.87 and American Macklynn Land got third in 57.26.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/13/charisma-taylor-sets-national-indoor-record-triple/?news

Jasmine Mackey misses CARIFTA-qualifying time

As of Monday, February 13, 2023

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JASMINE MACKEY

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#IN a gutsy performance on Saturday at the Road Runners’ Dianna Lynn Thompson’s Memorial Track Classic, middle distance runner Jasmine Mackey came so close to eclipsing the qualifying standard for the girls under- 20 1,500 metres for the 50th CARIFTA Games.

#Mackey, competing for the 3 PA Stallions, pulled away from the pack early in the 3 ½ laps race in the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium and maintained her lead to go through the finish line in five minutes and 09.63 seconds. However, she needed to run 5:00.36 to qualify for the games, scheduled for April 7-11.

#Despite falling short, the 16-year-old Mackey said she was still pleased with the run, but she admitted that she still has some work to do on her finish.

#“It was not too hard. I had a little of wind on the backstretch, but it was an easy win,” said Mackey, who contested her first 1,500m for the year. “My previous best was 5:37, but I got a lot lighter than I was last season. I’m looking forward to qualifying for CARIFTA, making the team and going for a medal here at home.”

#There were some qualifiers, starting on the track with Panthers’ Track Club’s Kenny Moxey Jr sailing over the bars to clock 15.60 to surpass the standard of 15.65 in the under-17 boys 110m hurdles. Second place went to SunBlazers’ Kerch Mackey in 18.45.

#Koi Adderley of Fast Forward was the lone competitor in the under-20 girls’ high jump, but that didn’t discourage her from attaining her goal as she duplicated the standard to qualify. She also took the long jump with a leap of 5.31m, but just missed the standard of 5.51m.

#In the under-17 girls high jump, Andros Heats’ Tylah Pratt scored 1.57m to match the standard. Alexandria Komolafe of Xtreme Athletics was second with 1.55m and Paris Rolle of Leap of Faith got third with 1.49m.

#Demian Brice II of Xtreme Athletics leapt, hopped and jumped 13.06m to win the under-17 boys triple jump to surpass the standard of 12.94m. Jayden Cooper, of Speed Capacity, was second with 12.88m and Davon Davis of the T-Bird Flyers was third with 12.10m.

#Triple Threat’s Terrell McCoy, already qualified, dipped under the standard of 12.56m with her winning heave of 13.26m in the under-17 girls shot put. Her closest rival was Danielle Nixon of Blue Chips, who got second with 11.43. Her team-mate Anthonece Papageorge was third with 9.34m.

#In other events of note, Air Assaults’ Nathaniel Zervos won the under-20/ open men’s javelin with a heave of 51.27m, just missing the standard of 51.78m.

#Samson Colebrooke, unattached, won the men’s 100m in 10.78.

#Andrew Styles of 90 Degrees, who was second in 10.80, won the 200m in 21.81, Kaiya Cambridge of Power Athletics took the women’s 400m hurdles in 1:10.12, Berkley Munnings was the winner of the men’s 400m hurdles in 58.39, Deedro Clarke of RK Athletics won the men’s 400m in 47.21, Quinton Ellis of Phoenix Track took the men’s 800m in 1:56.49, Christopher Saintus of Swift Athletics won the 5,000m in 16:48.34.

#Road Runners’ head coach Dexter Bodie thanked God for the wonderful weather they experienced to complete the meet on time,

#“Today was a nice, hot sunny day,” he pointed out. “We had a few qualifiers today as well, so I want to give thanks to our sponsors, Y Buy, We Sell, Summit Insurance and Family Medical Center, Blake Road. They made this meet a success.

#“We had a record breaking number of over 800 athletes. It was not expected, but we want to thank God for smooth sailing. Our meet director Bernard Newbold did a wonderful one getting the races lined up one after the other in a timely fashion. We just give God thanks and pray for another successful year.”

#In some of the other events contested, here’s a look at the age group divisional winners:

#Girls under 7

#100m – Erin Strachan of Kids Athletics in 19.69 with team-mates Kaiyah Romer (20.10) and Amila Munnings (24.37) in second and third respectively.

#150m – Strachan got the win in 30.80 with Romer second in 32.17 and Munnings third in 39.27.

#Boys under-7

#100m – Kaden Bullard of Swift Athletics won in 18.55 with Leslie Munnings Jr of Kids Athletics second in 18.84 over his team-mate Jace Merus in 19.88.

#150m – Bullard also won in 28.44 with Munnings Jr second in 30.51 nd Merus third in 30.66.

#Girls under-9

#100m – Christovia Moss of Beginners Track Club won in 15.53 with Red- Line Athletics’ Jazmyn Demeritte second in 15.57 and Kasey Rolle of Beginners Track third in 17.50.

#800m – Monae Miller of Unique Athletics won in 3:17.15 with Beginners Track’s Melody Thompson (3:20.23) and Christovia Moss (3:22.48) second and third respectively.

#Boys under-9 boys

#100m – Nathan Smith of 3 PA Stallions won in 15.51 with Daython Ingraham of Swift Athletics second with 15.75 and A’Ky Wilson of Kids Athletics third in 16.59.

#800m – Caiden Bain of Hurry Murray won in 3:10.18 with Nathan Smith of 3 PA Stallions second in 3:15.55.

#Girls under-11

#100m – Jaelyn Munroe of DTSP Wolkpack won in 15.56 with Kids Athletics’ Christyn Gibson second in 16.02 and Shayne Hutchinson of Unique Athletics third in 16.34.

#400m – Elexia Strachan of Kids Athletics won in 1:18.81 over team-mate Dazariah Bullard (1:25.18).

#800m – Strachan also took the tape in 2:58.43 over Hurry Murray’s Mikhala Strachan (3:13.26).

#Boys under-11

#100m – Jayden Jones of Unique Athletics won in 15.00 with George Brown of Swift Athletics second in 15.03 and Avery Johnson Jr of Unique Athletics third in 15.38.

#400m – Stafford Sweeting of Hurry Murray won in 1:11.78 with Jayden Allen of Red-Line Athletics second in 1:11.85 and Jade Ferguson of Swift Athletics third in 1:15.47.

#Girls under-13

#400m – Rocelis Moxey of Swift Athletics was the winner in 1:06.05. Taree Forbes of Boost Athletics was second in 1:07.28 and Cierra Delancy of Red-Line Athletics third in 1:07.47. 800m – Victoria Sandi-Aguilar of Unique Athletics won in 2:35.33 with Delancy second in 2:35.41 and Imani Collie of Striders third in 2:46.63.

#Boys under-13

#100m – Justin Shepherd of Swift Athletics was the winner in 13.55 with Tyrone Johnson of Spirit of Excellence second in 13.60 and Jacob Pickstock of Swift Athletics third in 13.76.

#400m – Ayden Russell of Unique Athletics won in 1:03.05 with Fast Forward’s Demih-Devaj Cash second in 1:05.70 and Johnson third in 1:07.67.

#800m – Adrian Woodside of T-Bird Flyers won in 2:43.03. Ramonick McLennon of Hurry Murray was second in 2:45.41 and Ayden Rolle of Striders was third in 2:48.60.

#Girls under-15

#100m – Vanessa Mackey of Alliance Athletics took the win in 13.18 with Zara Fraser of Fast Forward second in 13.28.

#Brion Ward of DTSP Wolfpack placed third in 13.34.

#200m – Sarsha Wright of Team Velocity won in 25.80 with Jasmine Thompson of the Roadrunners second in 26.29. Ward was third again in 26.35.

#400m – Thompson won again in 59.32 with Wright second in 1:02.20 and An Butler of Bahamas Speed Dynamics third in 1:03.21.

#800m – Ramonique McLennon was the winner in 2:31.86 with Denika Gitten of Roadrunners second in 2:39.89.

#Long jump – Kelly Deveaux of T-Bird Flyers won with 4.70m. Johnell Marshall of Kingsway Academy was the runner-up with 4.40m.

#Shot put – Quick Step’s Keila McPhee won with a heave of 8.83m and T-Bird’s Alexis Wright was second with 8.21m.

#Discus – McPhee got another win with 24.88m, while her team-mate Paris Leonice was second with 17.38m.

#Boys under-15

#100m – Red-Line Athletica’ Eagan Neely won in 1.569 with Fast forward’s Rohman Role second in 12.05.

#200m – Neely again won in 22.81 with his team-mate Shevano Nixon second in 23.07.

#400m – Nixon was the winner this time in 53.52 with Noble Preparatory’s Dario Butterfield second in 56.89.

#800m – Butterfield took the win in 2:21.95 with Rion Larrimore of Hurry Murray second in 2:23.82.

#Long jump – Quick Step’s Terrin Beckles won a leap of 5.12m with Jachario Wilson of Noble Preparatory second with 4.90m.

#Shot put – Dayaje Brown of Triple Threat was the lone competitor, winning with 6.07m.

#Discus – T-Bird Flyers’ Davis Douglas won with 30.08m and Brown got second with 15.60m.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/13/jasmine-mackey-misses-carifta-qualifying-time/?news

COACH Cory Francis and the children.

As of Monday, February 13, 2023

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PERFORMING the ribbon cutting were Graeme Davis, chairman of Baha Mar, Mckell Bonaby, Member of Parliament for Mt Moriah and executive chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority and Perry Newton, Bahamas Lawn Tennis (BLTA) president, along with Robert Sands, senior vice president at Baha Mar, Shena Bowleg, Harold Road club president and Baha Mar representatives.

#ON Saturday The Baha Mar Foundation held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the tennis courts in Yellow Elder at the Tom “The Bird” Grant park.

#The Foundation graciously resurfaced two courts for the residents of Yellow Elder and the surrounding communities.

#Performing the ribbon cutting were Graeme Davis, chairman of Baha Mar, Mckell Bonaby, Member of Parliament for Mt Moriah and executive chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority and Perry Newton, Bahamas Lawn Tennis (BLTA) president, along with Robert Sands, senior vice president at Baha Mar, Shena Bowleg, Harold Road club president and Baha Mar representatives.

#Coach Cory Francis, Devlin Fisher (Baha Mar), adult players and the kids from the community and from the BLTA Play Tennis programme were a part of this grand reopening. After the ribbon cutting there was a kid’s tennis clinic that opened up play on the newly resurfaced courts. This session was led by coach Francis. Baha Mar also treated the kids to snacks. The BLTA was pleased to be on hand to support Baha Mar as they continue to make a positive impact in tennis. The Baha Mar Foundation recently hosted the third annual Baha Mar Tennis Cup in conjunction with the Mark Knowles Foundation. Many kids were able to meet and play with top international tennis professionals.

#This was followed up with the recent upgrades to the tennis courts by Baha Mar, another successful giveback event. The kids thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful opportunity, courtesy of Baha Mar. The impact on the community through sports is long lasting and the work undertaken by Baha Mar is expected to reap some good rewards in the local community.

#“We congratulate Baha Mar on their commitment and investment in the community, the kids and the sport of tennis in The Bahamas,” the BLTA said.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/13/baha-mar-resurfaces-tennis-courts-yellow-elder-gar/?news

As of Monday, February 13, 2023

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#THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) is saddened by the passing of Wesley Rolle.

#Past president Rolle has made numerous contributions to the growth and development of tennis in The Bahamas over the years.

#He served as president of the BLTA during the period 2007 to 2009 and remained actively involved in the sport.

#He assumed the role as facility manager of the National Tennis Centre under two administrations.

#Rolle not only focused his attention on making a difference in New Providence, but also on the Family Islands.

#From time to time, Rolle would hip-hop to Eleuthera and then “catch” the ferry to Harbour Island to conduct coaching sessions.

#Besides serving as an executive and being a trailblazer for the association, he has served as a coach for many years, a Senior Nationals tournament director, and tournament director for a few ITF junior tournaments held in New Providence. Rolle was always willing to give wise counsel and lend a helping hand wherever needed.

#When asked in September 2019 to represent the BLTA by promoting the sport of tennis at a sports educational fair, he gladly accepted. He also possessed the skill of racquet stringing. Wes engaged in provocative dialogue and was considered a Davis Cup (Bahamas) historian.

#As a coach, in 2020, Rolle participated in BLTA’s outreach programme in the form of a free tennis clinic hosted for some of the children at the Ranfurly Home. He imparted much knowledge to the kids and they walked away armed with the necessary tools to play the game.

#President Perry Newton and the executive team of the BLTA was pleased to name the 2022 Senior Nationals in Rolle’s honour.

#The entire tennis community mourns the loss of this great tennis contributor.

#The BLTA extends deepest condolences to Leo Rolle, Larry Rolle, Marvin Rolle and the entire Rolle family during this most difficult time.

#Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/feb/13/blta-saddened-death-wesley-rolle/?news

 Home|Sports|Sports‘Be My Running Partner’BAAA inviting corporate community to partner with them Sheldon Longley Send an emailFebruary 13, 2023 195 2 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

With a budget nearing one million dollars for the 2022-2023 track season, inclusive of the international travel of about eight national teams, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) is inviting the corporate community of The Bahamas to come forward and partner with them in support of track and field in the country.

Under the theme ‘Be My Running Partner’, the BAAA will stage a cocktail reception for potential partners this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Humidor at Graycliff Restaurant. Guests are asked to wear business attire with sneakers and can book for the event by sending an e-mail to the address: info@bahamastrackandfield.org or by calling telephone number (242) 325-4433.

“There are about eight major international events that the federation has to underwrite the cost for this year,” said BAAA President Drumeco Archer. “It is a Herculean and very aggressive budget that we have in place in trying to get our teams abroad. We want to make clear distinction between the CARIFTA movement, which we are a part of, and the federation’s work. We are always grateful to our public partner which is the government of The Bahamas, but that is never enough. One of the aims of the federation is how do we engage Corporate Bahamas in a different way, so this idea of social corporate responsibility is something that we are building over the next four years of the administrative period. So, this Wednesday, we are inviting, not only the big corporate conglomerates, but we are also inviting the small businessmen and women who want to make a contribution.”

Archer said the sports discipline of track and field is an engaging one in a safe environment and contributors to the sport would certainly get a return on their dollars.

“When you look at our program, you would see that we are able to create a safe place for persons who live in at-risk environments,” said Archer. “Track and field touches all when it comes to the development of the country. If you look at the legacy of track and field, you would find that some of our best doctors and best lawyers and best politicians come out of the belly of track and field. It creates a leveled playing field for persons who otherwise would have not had the opportunity. Beyond identifying the world greatest athletes, we are trying to identify athletes who could be good student-athletes who would make great contributions to the country. So, we are appealing to Corporate Bahamas, letting you know that your money does not go in vain. It is money that will be well spent on developmental programs and the implantation of programs that will develop a more diverse and exciting country.”

Archer said the idea is for corporate partners to have a direct benefit from their association with the federation.

“As we grow, we are going to grow your network,” he said. “Through the CARIFTA Games, we will capture a network of about 50,000 people from throughout the country. That alignment is powerful in its own respect, and we want to be able to leverage that with all of the deliverables of our partners. We have never really commercialized the assets of our federation and this is an opportunity.”

Different sponsorship packages are available, ranging from platinum sponsorship at $85,000 to a friends and family package from $1,500 to $6,000. Gold sponsorship is at $70,000, silver partnership is available for $50,000, and bronze level commitment is at $30,000.

The BAAA ‘Be My Running Partner’ reception is set for this Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Humidor at Graycliff Restaurant.

Following the reception, the next event on the BAAA calendar is the BAAA Relays set for Saturday, February 18, starting at 12 p.m. at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

https://thenassauguardian.com/be-my-running-partner/

 Home|Sports|SportsDiana Lynn Classic produces CARIFTA qualifiers Simba French Send an emailFebruary 13, 2023 202 2 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

It seems like at every local meet this year there is a new CARIFTA qualifier and the Diana Lynn Thompson Classic at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium this past weekend was no different as there were four more unofficial qualifiers for The Bahamas for the 2023 CARIFTA Games.

The meet was hosted by the Roadrunners Track and Field Club. The four CARIFTA qualifiers joined the list of 24 qualifiers to increase the number to 27.

Koi Adderley was able to meet the qualifying mark in the under-20 girls high jump as she seeks to make The Bahamas’ CARIFTA team again. Ironically, she qualified for CARIFTA last year at this same meet. The Fast Forward athlete’s only challenge in that age category on Saturday was the bar itself, and in the end, she cleared 1.65 meters (m) (5’ 5”) which is the qualifying height.

The high jump area was the hot spot for the day as the under-17 girls high jump had a Family Island qualifier. Andros Heats’ Tylah Pratt had a good day as she won that event with a jump of 1.57m (5’ 2”) which matched the qualifying standard.

Finishing second behind her was Xtreme Athletics’ Alexandria Komolafe, who has already qualified in that event. She cleared 1.55m (5’ 1”). Finishing third was Leap of Faith’s Paris Rolle who recorded a jump of 1.49m (4” 10-1/2”).

There was another qualifier in the field events. This time, it came from Demian Brice II in the under-17 boys triple jump. The Xtreme Athletics’ athlete had a leap of 13.06m (42’ 10”) to comfortably surpass the qualifying standard of 12.94m (42’ 5-1/2”). Finishing behind him in second place was Speed Capacity’s Jayden Cooper who jumped 12.88m (42’ 3-1/4”). Davon Davis, who is with the T-Bird Flyers, jumped 12.10m (39’ 8-1/2”) to place third.

On the track, Kenny Moxey Jr. was able to dip under the qualifying standard in the under-17 boys 110m hurdles. The Panthers Track Club athlete was able to clock 15.60 seconds to go under the qualifying time of 15.65 seconds. Moxey was too much for his counterparts. The closest competitor to him was Kersch Mackey from the Sunblazers Track and Field who crossed the finish line in a time of 18.45 seconds. Placing third was Fast Forward’s Zion Munroe who ran 19.18 seconds.

Although she has already qualified for CARIFTA, shot put throwing sensation Terrell McCoy from Triple Threat Throwing Club, a CARIFTA medalist, threw a new personal best of 13.26m (43’ 6”) to win the under-17 girls shot put. She improved on her previous CARIFTA qualifying distance which was 12.85m (42’ 2”). McCoy said was happy to have a personal best and is still working on qualifying in the under-17 girls discus. She held off Blue Chip Athletics’ duo of Danielle Nixon and Anthonece Papageorge who were second and third, respectively. Nixon threw 11.43m (37’ 6”) and Papageorge’s throw landed on the 9.34m (30’ 7-1/2”) mark.

The 50th CARIFTA Games is set to be held at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium from April 8-10. The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) CARIFTA Trials is set for March 25-27 at the national stadium.

Next up on the local calendar is the BAAA Relays, set for Saturday at 12 p.m. at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

https://thenassauguardian.com/diana-lynn-classic-produces-carifta-qualifiers/

 Home|Sports|SportsJohnson sets new state record in the pool Simba French Send an emailFebruary 13, 2023 206 2 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

Bahamian junior swimming sensation Marvin Johnson put on a record-breaking show at the Tennessee Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association’s (TISCA) High School Swimming and Division State Championships, which was held at the University of Tennessee’s Allan Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Johnson, who swims for the McCallie School out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, broke two state records – the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races. Also swimming for McCallie and breaking a school record was Bahamian Caden Wells. Bahamian Asher Johnson also swam for McCallie. All three swimmers will be looking to represent The Bahamas at the upcoming 2023 CARIFTA Swimming Championships.

They helped the boys team to victory with 352 points. They finished ahead of Baylor School (343 points) and Montgomery Bell Academy (222 points). McCallie School had to settle for second place in the combined scores with the same 352 points as they didn’t have a girls squad. Baylor had 496 points to finish first. Ensworth School was third with 281 points.

Marvin Johnson was on a mission in the 100-yard free on Friday when lowered the previous state record of 44.60 seconds, touching the wall in 43.60 seconds – shaving an entire second off the record to win the race. He took down Montgomery Bell Academy’s Oliver Plinkinton who came into the final with the fastest time. Plinkinton clocked 43.92 seconds. Johnson had some ground to make up after the first 50 yards as Plinkinton had the faster split of 20.82 seconds compared to Johnson’s 21.08 seconds. After the turn, the sophomore out of The Bahamas pulled ahead and set the state record in the event.

Concord Christian School’s Logan Hall swam 45.67 seconds to finish third.

On Friday night, Johnson blew past Plinkinton in the 50-yard free. Like the 100-yard race, Plinkton had the fastest time in the preliminaries. 

Johnson went into another gear for final, proving to be too much for Plinkinton. Johnson went under the 20-second mark with a blistering 19.87 seconds to win that race. He comfortably lowered the previous state record of 20.28 seconds. Plinkton settled for second with a time of 20.22 seconds. Johnson’s teammate, Benton Grutter, swam 20.81 seconds to finish third.

The Bahamian trio teamed up with Benjamin Bevill in the 200-yard medley relay and they won the silver medal. The quartet clocked 1:32.79 to finish behind Baylor School who clocked 1:30.96. Wells swam a split of 25.64 seconds before Asher Johnson took over on the butterfly leg and turned in a split of 23.48 seconds. Jonson brought it home for the team in 19.54 seconds – the fastest split on that leg. Montgomery Bell Academy placed third with a time of 1:32.79.

The three schools finished in the same order in the 400-yard free relay. This time, Marvin Johnson teamed up with Grutter, Max Manolache and Jackson Vineyard. The group that was anchored by Johnson touched the wall in a time of 3:03.46. Baylor won when they clocked 3:01.29. Montgomery Bell settled for third with a time of 3:09.02.

Wells was in action in the 100-yard breaststroke ‘A’ final where he finished sixth overall with a personal best time of 57.17 seconds. That time set a new school record. Merrol Hyde Magnet High School’s Jeffrey Hickson won that race with a time of 55.82 seconds.

Wells also swam in the 200-yard individual medley (IM) and was able to clock 1:57.81 to seventh in the ‘B’ final and 15th overall.

Asher Johnson powered his way to finish 17th overall in the 100-yard fly with a time of 51.95 seconds. The Grand Bahama native was also in action in the 100-yard backstroke preliminaries and he finished 35th overall with a time 56.14 seconds.

https://thenassauguardian.com/johnson-sets-new-state-record-in-the-pool/

 Home|Sports|Simba French Send an emailFebruary 10, 2023 342 2 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

Bahamian collegiate swimmers DaVante Carey and Keianna Moss, representing the McKendree University Bearcats, got in some action at the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Swimming and Diving Championships at the Deaconess Aquatic Center in Evansville, Indiana, yesterday.

Moss was up first, competing in the women’s 100 yards butterfly. She clocked a time of 57.37 seconds to finish with the 11th fastest time overall, falling short of a spot in the ‘A’ final by less than a second. She swam splits of 26.49 and 30.88 seconds. The freshman was scheduled to be in the pool last night to swim in the ‘B’ final but the result was unavailable up to press time.

Carey was set to swim in the men’s 100 yards fly but scratched from that race.

In Wednesday’s action, Moss swam in the 50 yards free ‘C’ final. She placed 23rd overall. Her time of 24.22 seconds was a personal best for her. Earlier, in the morning session, she powered her way to touch the wall in 24.26 seconds which was a personal best at the time. Moss had the 21st fastest time in the preliminaries.

Carey took part in the 50 yards free on Wednesday and clocked a personal best time of 21.22 seconds. The collegiate senior finished 33rd overall.

The two swimmers were a part of their respective 200-yard medley relay teams on Wednesday. Carey teamed up with Noah Tague, Alireza Yavari and Mario Torrado on the Bearcats ‘B’ team and they placed second in the ‘B’ final. The quartet finished with a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II provisional time of 1:27.80.

Moss swam with the Bearcats’ ‘B’ team. They were able to place third in the ‘B’ final with a time of 1:45.70. The freshman’s team included Caitlyn Sligh, Emily Drabick and Gabriela Lima.

Moss is set to compete in the 200-yard fly today which will wrap up her first conference championship. She is ranked sixth out of 27 swimmers in the conference with a time of 2:05.48. Carey has one more individual race left in his last conference championship – the 100-yard back set for today. He enters that event with the 17th fastest time of 50.12 seconds.

Action at the GLVC Championships wraps up on Saturday. A total of 10 men’s teams and nine women’s squads are vying for the conference championships.

The next Bahamian who will experience action at a conference championship is Henderson State Red Wave’s Lamar Taylor. He will be swimming at the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference (NSISC) Championships set for February 15-18 at the Ronnie Mayers Aquatics Center in Cleveland, Mississippi.

https://thenassauguardian.com/carey-moss-swim-at-conference/