ORGANISERS of First Class Promotions’ all-female boxing match in The Bahamas and Caribbean, set for 8pm on March 31 at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium.

As of Friday, March 17, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#FIRST Class Promotions will host the first all-female boxing match in The Bahamas and Caribbean at 8pm on Friday, March 31 at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium.

#The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture will work alongside First Class Promotions in an event that is set to honour and celebrate former Bahamian boxing champion Ray Minus Jr.

#The all-female world title fight will also help to bring awareness to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which is a body-crippling condition the boxing legend has developed.

#The World Boxing Association (WBA) world title fight will feature Toronto’s Lindsay Garbatt vs Las Vegas’ Jaimie “The Miracle” Mitchell in the 10-round main event.

#In the 8-round co-main event, Simone Silva from San Palo, Brazil will take on O’Shea Jones from Philadelphia.

#The boxing event will feature four female matchups on the night.

#Michelle Minus, boxing matchmaker and promoter of First Class Promotions, talked about why they decided to go with an all-female card for the event at yesterday’s press conference.

#“Well, we needed to come back with something different. We promoted only male boxing over the years and also First Class Promotions is celebrating 23 years in existence this year July and we wanted to come back with something strong,” Minus said.

#Persons interested in purchasing tickets for the event are encouraged to visit the website at www. bahamasetickets.com as tickets are selling fast with excitement building around the first all-female professional boxing match.

#For persons that wish to purchase tickets in person, box offices will be set up to accommodate physical ticket purchases at the event.

#Minus talked about why the public should be at this year’s exciting boxing showdown.

#“On the fight card, the main event, one of them was a silver medallist Olympian and one is a bronze medallist, they have had this rivalry for a minute, so they are going to be able to settle the score in The Bahamas,” Minus said.

#The prices for general admission are $35 and the VIP section is for $125.

#Also, shirts will be on sale in support of six-time British Commonwealth champion Ray Minus Jr. For persons that want to purchase shirts for the event as well, they can contact 1-242-465-2313 for pricing and additional information.

#The women’s showdown will be sponsored by a number of local companies.

#Companies will include the MOYSC, Ministry of Tourism, 100Jamz Group Companies, Nassau Guardian, Love 97, Cable Bahamas Sports, ZNS, EZ CAR Sales, Nirvana Beach, Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co. Ltd., Nassau Agencies, Sun Time, Doc’s Pharmacy, Ron’s Radiator, Original Patties, Daina’s Guest House, Eddie Electric Co. Ltd., Heastie’s Services Station, and Battery and Tyre Specialists Ltd.

#Nathan Arnett, brand manager at Jimmy’s Wine and Spirits and Bahamian Brewery, talked about why the company decided to sponsor the event.

#“We came on board as a sponsor with Modelo primarily because [it] is a beer that is an international sponsor for boxing and UFC and on top of that we wanted to give back to Ray Minus Jr and we want to come on board with bringing awareness for ALS and other serious illnesses and injuries that come along with that,” Arnett said.

#He added that the former Bahamian champion fighter has given back and been a huge hero for the country and the company will give 100 percent of the profit to the four-time Bahamas bantamweight champion.

#Early on in his career in the 1990s, Minus Jr. decided to open a club to keep troubled young men away from gang violence, drugs and alcohol.

#He and his former wife Michelle Munnings Minus had a club called the Champion Amateur Boxing Club which helped 280+ boys from inner city communities.

#Despite his battle with the neurogenerative disease known as ALS, which causes persons to lose their ability to walk, talk and eventually breathe, Minus Jr has contributed a lot outside of his many boxing accolades to the Bahamian community and now it’s time for Bahamians to give back to the boxing legend by supporting the WBA’s all-female world title match.

#The event will be sanctioned by The Bahamas Boxing Commission.

tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/17/first-class-promotions-returns-after-10-year-hiatu/?news

THE CARIFTA Trials and High School National Track and Field Championships will take place in a combined event this year.

As of Friday, March 17, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#With the CARIFTA Trials & High School National Track and Field Championships set to take place in a combined event on March 25-27, some parents criticised the organisers’ decision to remove the under-15 division.

#The CARIFTA Trials and Nationals would usually take place as two separate track and field events but this year, due to financial complications, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture (MOYSC) and Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) made the decision to combine the events, making it the final track event before April’s 50th CARIFTA Games.

#Despite the decision to cut costs by having a single event, the BAAA president acknowledged that there were some complications that came with this decision.

#Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, talked about one of the problems ahead of next weekend’s trials.

#“The age of qualifying for the CARIFTA Games starts at the age of someone turning 14 or someone who is 14 within the CARIFTA year, so that creates a fundamental problem for us because if a child competes in the under-15 category, which is combined with the under-17 category, that child runs the risk of not qualifying for the team because we expect all our athletes to compete in head-to-head competition,” Archer said.

#He said to come to a happy medium, they simply decided to create a new division called the under-14 division after removing the under 13 and 15 divisions. Archer added that the alternative to this “inherent” problem would be to have a single event for the CARIFTA Trials and High School Nationals, which is not feasible for the athletes or event organisers.

#“That would have been ideal but there are financial implications there because now we are saying to the athletes you must come to CARIFTA Trials and to the Nationals on two separate occasions, hotel costs are mounting and the average hotel room rate is about $350,” Archer said.

#He continued to say it is financially taxing on both the Government of The Bahamas, schools and individual students.

#Hence, he said the BAAAs, in conjunction with the MOYSC, wanted to host a high-level competition in the most cost effective way.

#Cherelle Cartwright, parent of a child in the under-15 division, talked about why she disagreed with the organisers’ decision to remove the under-15 division.

#“I am not fond of it simply because of the reason that a lot of the children who are coming from other islands for the nationals, like my son, this might be their first time getting involved. “Nationals or CARIFTA what happens now is that you are allowing the under-15 children to compete with children that are outside of their age range,” Cartwright said.

#Despite understanding the CARIFTA Games is primarily for the under-17 and under-20 age group, Cartwright believes eliminating the under-15 age group will not be beneficial for the younger athletes as running with the older athletes takes away from the under-15 athletes that are accustomed to running within their normal age group.

#“The under-15s now have to go with the under-17s and you are putting them in a competitive zone that they are probably not even going to compete at when you look at those times of the under 17s.

#“I don’t see the need to do that and totally take out that category,” she added.

#The parent said combining the events is fine but the entire elimination of the under-15 division does not seem beneficial for athletes looking to compete in the Nationals and takes away from what the event is all about.

#BAAA president Archer maintains organisers are trying to create a high-level meet and do that in the most inclusive way.

#The CARIFTA Trials and Nationals are expected to start March 25-27 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. The combined event will feature the under-14 girls and boys, under-17 girls and boys and the under-20 girls and boys.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/17/under-14-division-created-high-school-track-field-/?news

NEW PROVIDENCE BASKETBALL ASSOC. PLAYOFFS

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas Mingoes guard Delano Armbrister goes to the basket for a layup as Caro Construction Shockers guard Horris McKenzie tries to block him in the first game of their best-of-three NPBA division one playoff series. Photo: UB ATHLETICS

As of Friday, March 17, 2023

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#THE University of the Bahamas Mingoes men’s basketball team came back from down 10 points to force overtime against the Caro Construction Shockers but could not pull off the NPBA playoff win.

#Despite leading by as much as eight points and having to claw back from being down 10 points, the Mingoes could not pull off the New Providence Basketball Association win and lost 72-68 at The A.F. Adderley Gym.

#The Shockers now lead the best-of-three series 1-0. The second game is set for Saturday.

#Erquantae Edgecombe and Justin Burrows each contributed 17 points for the Mingoes in the loss. Ricardo Taylor also scored 11 points for the Mingoes.

#Burrows pulled down 11 rebounds and Theodore Grant had seven steals as well. Spurgeon Johnson led the Shockers with 18 points, William Rigby scored 16 and Jeron Smith and Dario McKenzie scored 12 each.

#McKenzie also pulled down 15 rebounds for the Shockers.

#The Mingoes led by as much as eight points off a Dave Lindsey rebound that converted into a fast break lay-up for Theodore Grant to put them up 34-26 with 1:23 to go in the second quarter.

#The Shockers bounced back thiugh to tie the game at 41-41 just 20 seconds into the fourth quarter on a lay-up from Dominique Fernander.

#Spurgeon Johnson capped a 13-3 run from the Shockers on two free throws to put them up 54-44 with 6:23 to go in regulation.

#The Mingoes cut the lead down and forced a tie with 1.3 seconds to go at 62-62.

#The Mingoes called a time out and were able to advance the ball into the front court.

#Theodore Grant inbounded the ball and was able to get it close to the basket for the win.

#Erquantae Edgecombe caught the ball in the air but was not able to connect, forcing the game into overtime.

#Edgecombe and Grant combined on a 6-2 run to start overtime and put the Mingoes up four at 68-64.

#However, the Shockers closed out on an 8-0 run to take the game 72-68 and go up 1-0 in the series. “This was a very winnable game for us tonight and the guys played their hearts out,” said head coach Bacchus Rolle. “We made the stops but we couldn’t convert it to baskets. This team fights but I think fatigue set in and when fatigue happens your mind goes and then your legs go. We fought well and came back to tie the game and almost won it.”

#Rolle added that heading into the second game of the best-of-three series, his squad is going to have some offence. “We have to find more than just Justin Burrows, who came out big with 17 points tonight,” he said.

#“We are also going to have to control the paint and hit more jump shots along with spreading the floor a bit more to give our big men an opportunity to work the middle of the floor more.”

#The Shockers out-rebounded the Mingoes 70-47 in the game.

#Game two of the best-of-three series is set for 7pm Saturday at The A.F. Adderley Gym.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/17/shockers-top-mingoes-72-68-ot/?news

As of Saturday, March 18, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#GRAND Bahama: After the first day of competition, Texas A&M Aggies have surged in front in the two-day Island Relays Bahamas at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

#The Aggies lead in both the men and women’s divisions following the first day of competition on Friday. They took control of the men’s division with 80 points, 25 more than the second place Oklahoma Sooners, who had 65 and held a slim one-point lead, 49-48, over the Arizona Wildcats in the ladies’ division.

#Six teams make up the field of competition, which include the University of the Bahamas Mingoes, who sit in sixth place in both divisions.

#The final day of competition will take place on Saturday, including some competition between the high school teams.

#The other universities competing are the Oklahoma Sooners, South Carolina Gamecocks and Vanderbilt Commodores, bringing more than 400 athletes to Grand Bahama and an additional 1,000 people in spectators.

#The meet, organised by Marvin Henfield and Joyce Johnson, was intended to be staged in Grand Bahama in 2021, but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Henfield said they are delighted to finally get it off the ground as they provide an economic boost to the island.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/18/texas-m-aggies-lead-island-relays-bahamas/?news

As of Saturday, March 18, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#GRAND Bahama: The Texas A&M Aggies finished first in the men’s division and second in the women’s to win the inaugural Island Relays Bahamas.

#The Aggies dominated the men’s division, but fell short to arch rivals Oklahoma Sooners in the women’s division. However, Texas A&M’s grand total of 325 points was enough to hold off Oklahoma, who finished in second with 333. Arizona Wildcats came in third with 292.

#Texas A&M rode the strong performances of their men to the top of the chart with 198. Arizona were second with 140, Oklahoma got third with 132, South Carolina Game Cocks were fourth with 125 and the University of the Bahamas Mingoes ended up in fifth with 19.

#And in the women’s division, Oklahoma topped the chart with 193, followed by Texas A&M in second with 157, Arizona third with 152, South Carolina fourth with 99, Vanderbilt Commodores fifth with 54 and the University of the Bahamas sixth with just one.

#The two-day meet, held on Friday and Saturday, was organised by Marvin Henfield and Joyce Johnson with the view of helping to stimulate the economy in Grand Bahama after the passing of Hurricane Dorian.

#The meet was originally scheduled to take place in 2021, but was called off due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Henfield said they accomplished their goal with more than 1,100 athletes, coaches and fans from the visiting schools from the United States making a hefty financial contribution to the island.

#Henfield said the event is expected to become an annual one and they already have interest from more than 10 schools in coming down next year to participate in the second version of the meet.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/18/texas-m-aggies-win-island-relays-bahamas/?news

 Home|Sports|Bahamians come up big in Great Britain’s winSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMarch 14, 2023 396 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

With eight players who are either Bahamians, or with Bahamian roots, and two Bahamian coaches, on its roster, Team Great Britain is swinging for the fences at the 2023 World Baseball Classic which is currently ongoing at four major cities around the world.

The Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung, Taiwan, is the host venue for Pool A, the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, is the site for Pool B, Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, is the venue for Pool C, and loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, United States, is where the Pool D games are being played.

Great Britain is on Pool C with Canada, Colombia, Mexico and host country the United States. The United States is the defending champion of the classic.

The team lost its first two games, 6-2, to the United States and, 18-8, to Canada, but bounced back in a huge way yesterday, defeating a strong Colombian team, 7-5. The fifth installment of the World Baseball Classic runs until March 21 when the championship game will be held.

The Bahamians are certainly making their presence felt.

In yesterday’s huge victory over Colombia, Grand Bahamian Chavez Young, the starting right fielder, had a huge game-tying two-run, two-out hit in the bottom of the fourth inning.

After Great Britain fell behind 3-0 early, Bertram ‘BJ’ Murray Jr., another Bahamian, got the rally started with a sacrifice fly to left field in the bottom of the fourth. Murray was the starting third baseman for Great Britain yesterday. Two walks and a strikeout after Murray’s sacrifice fly, with the bases loaded, Young struck for the team. He drilled a shot through the left side of the infield, plating two runners and tying the score at three.

Great Britain scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-3 lead and added two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh.

A rally by Colombia in the top of the ninth fell short as Cleveland Guardians’ minor leaguer Meibrys Viloria struck out swinging, with a runner at second base, to end the game.

Great Britain prevailed 7-5, picking up its first-ever victory in the five editions of the World Baseball Classic.

Young finished the game against Colombia with that two-run single in three at-bats and added a walk. He also had a stolen base yesterday – his fourth of the tournament. Young is batting .333 for the tournament. Murray had a double in three at-bats with a RBI yesterday and is batting .222 for the tournament. Trayce Thompson of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the youngest son of Bahamian sports legend Mychal “Sweet Bells” Thompson and the brother of Golden State Warriors’ star guard Klay Thompson, bats number two in the lineup behind Young. He was 0-for-3 yesterday, but is hitting .300 for the tournament including a huge home run against the United States on Saturday. The other Bahamian in the starting lineup on Monday, Anfernee Seymour, went hitless in four at-bats, and has just one hit in 10 at-bats in the tournament.

Cleveland Guardians’ minor leaguer Dayan Frias, the starting shortstop of the Colombian team yesterday, finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

The other Bahamians on Team Great Britain are pitchers Chavez Fernander and Tahnaj Thomas, outfielder D’Shawn Knowles and catcher Ural Forbes. Knowles has two hits in five at-bats with a RBI (run batted in) and a run scored in the tournament and Forbes is 0-for-1.

The two Bahamian pitchers are yet to experience significant action. Fernander got in the game yesterday and gave up two hits and two walks in an inning of work. Thomas is yet to experience action. The two Bahamian coaches on the team are first base coach Albert Cartwright and bench coach Antoan Richardson – the sixth Bahamian to play in Major League Baseball (MLB).

It doesn’t get any easier for Team Great Britain as they are set to play Mexico at 10 p.m. tonight. That game will end pool play for Great Britain and will be vital for advancement purposes. The team needs to win to have a shot to move on to the quarterfinals which get underway on Thursday.

As it stands, The Bahamas is unable to field a team at the World Baseball Classic level due to a lack of participation in qualifying tournaments, and the Bahamians are eligible to suit up for Great Britain by means of having at least one parent who was, even if deceased, born in a British territory. The Bahamas was a British colony up until its independence in 1973.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamians-come-up-big-in-great-britains-win/

 Home|Sports|High school nationals combining with CARIFTA TrialsSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMarch 14, 2023 651 4 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

For the first time, the Bahamas High School National Track and Field Championships is joining with the CARIFTA Trials to form one combined event, and organizers expect it to be extremely competitive and produce the desired results.

The joint event is set for March 25-27 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and will be held under the theme ‘Unity Through Sports – A Golden Jubilee.’ It will be a test event for the 50th CARIFTA Games and the divisions contested will be under-14 girls and boys, under-17 girls and boys and under-20 girls and boys. The under-15 category has been converted to an under-14 category so as to make provisions for the athletes who are turning 14 this year to compete for CARIFTA spots if they so desire.

All qualified athletes are permitted to register for the event, but as it relates to the high school nationals, just the top two finishers from each school will score points for their respective school.

“This is the first time that it has happened, combining both events, and we’re looking at it as an opportunity to have an integrated track and field championships going forward,” said Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ (BAAA) President Drumeco Archer. “This is when track and field is at its highest – when you have the athletes from the public and private schools, and athletes from across the length and breadth of The Bahamas, coming together, and when you add that to the CARIFTA Trials, it is an opportunity for us to do something different.

“It’s an opportunity for us to showcase not only athletes from New Providence, but from every island of this country. This is a watershed moment for track and field and a high water mark for the ministry. I wish to congratulate the ministry as well as all of the stakeholders for ensuring that track and field is paramount and inclusive. We believe that this was the best solution to encompass both events. This is an event that will identify some of the best talent that we have in the country and it is a new showcase of what we expect to do at the CARIFTA Games.”

The BAAA is in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training in the staging of this three-day event which will mimic the 50th Golden Jubilee CARIFTA Games in terms of structure.

“The high school nationals and CARIFTA Trials will provide student-athletes from throughout The Bahamas an opportunity to showcase their talents in hopes of qualifying for the CARIFTA Games,” said Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg. “I extend an invitation to the general public to support our athletes in what will be an exciting and memorable venture. I encourage all student-athletes to remain focused, optimistic, determined and motivated. I implore you to be the best that you could be on the track and in the field. Let’s celebrate our youth in grand style!”

The combined event is a Penn Relays Qualifier for the under-20 relays and the deadline for registration is Friday March 17. Schools from across the length and breadth of The Bahamas are expected to take part.

“I am always enthused when I get to participate in events that highlight activities of our children, especially when it involved academics, technical skills and sporting events,” said Zane Lightbourne, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training. “Sports in our schools and sports in paradise is making a big bounce back, right in time for our golden jubilee celebrations. I share the excitement of the participating athletes, the coaches and the enthusiasts as we anticipate the shattering of old records and the emergence of new superstars and ultimately hearing the Bahamian national anthem played in regional and international sporting arenas.

“The fact that our children participate and give their best must always be celebrated and appreciated. In today’s world, it is crucial that we shape our students to become well-rounded individuals by being academically and athletically inclined. That is essential to the students’ overall development. I am certain that there are many future world and Olympic champions who will compete in this year’s high school nationals and CARIFTA Trials. Congratulations to the participating schools, athletes and coaches. Continue to put your best foot forward as you make your families proud, your coaches proud and this beautiful Bahamas proud.”

The CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals is the final local qualifier for the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games which is set for the Easter holiday weekend, April 8-10, inside the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

“It’s a pleasure to congratulate the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training with the support of the BAAA in this collaborative effort to bring the sport of track and field back to prominence and back to where it rightly belongs,” said Mike Sands, the Bahamian president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC). “Sports has the power to unite and it speaks a language that young people are able to understand. If we take that as our mantra, I believe that we will be very successful in terms of motivating the next generation and inspiring them. Continue the good works and I stand in support of all factions that made this possible.”

Hundreds of young athletes are expected to take part in the combined event from March 25-27 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. So far, a total of 39 athletes have qualified for CARIFTA, seven of whom have done so in multiple events.

 Home|Sports|Mingoes fall to Regulators, both teams advance to playoffsSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailMarch 15, 2023 202 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes men’s basketball team suffered a loss to the Leno Regulators, 76-63, in an inconsequential New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) game Saturday night at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium.

Erquantae Edgecombe led the Mingoes with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Gabriel Styles added 11 in a game that didn’t have any impact on either team’s position in the standings as the regular season came to a close.

Zachery Pennerman scored 24 points for the Regulators and Kemsy Sylvestre, a former UB player, added 23.

The Mingoes started the game off strong, going up 6-0 early in the first quarter. That run was capped by a Justin Burrows’ layup assisted by Delano Armbrister. The Regulators tied the game at 6-6 and ended the quarter up, 18-14.

The Regulators held the lead for the rest of the game. The Mingoes got to within three points with 5:02 left in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t complete the comeback. Off a defensive rebound, Armbrister had a brilliant pass to Edgecombe that resulted in a layup to put the score at 62-59. The Regulators then went on a 9-0 scoring run and ended the game winning, 76-63.

“We were right there with five minutes to go but we couldn’t seem to string together enough buckets in order to take the lead,” said UB Head Coach Bacchus Rolle. “We didn’t get the defensive stops that we wanted to. The Regulators are a tough team and played really good out there tonight. We just didn’t make the stops when we needed to.”

Despite winning the rebounding battle, 58 to 51, the Mingoes couldn’t convert them into points like they would have wanted to.

The Mingoes now move on to play the Caro Contractors Shockers in the first round of the playoffs. The first game is set for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. and the second game is set for Saturday March 18 at 7 p.m. Both games will be played at the A.F. Adderley gym.

The Shockers beat the Mingoes in both meetings this season. The Shockers won 76-56 on November 26, 2022 and 67-58 on January 13, 2023.

“We aren’t doing too bad for a team that was only supposed to win two games all seasons,” Rolle said. “I am happy and proud of my guys for making it this far and we are going into the series optimistically. We are going to have to slow the ball down because they are a very fast team and their guards are lightening quick. We also need to try force turnovers from their big men as well.”

The game Saturday night was inconsequential because both teams advanced to the playoffs, and regardless of the outcome, neither team’s playoff position would have changed. The Mingoes had already secured the third spot in the Vince Fergusons Division with a 6-7 win/loss record. The Regulators had already secured the third spot in the John Archer Division with an 8-5 record.

https://thenassauguardian.com/mingoes-fall-to-regulators-both-teams-advance-to-playoffs/

 Home|Sports|Bahamian five a part of history at HowardSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMarch 15, 2023 2,029 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Howard University Bison swimming program boasts the only all-black swimming team in college swimming in the United States of America (USA). On that swimming roster are five Bahamians who are happy to be a part of something big at the school.

The Bahamians on that squad are Erald Thompson III, Kaliyah Albury and siblings Luke Kennedy, Mark-Anthony and Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson.

Howard, which is located in Washington, D.C, is also the only Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to have a swimming program. The men’s team won this year’s Northeast Conference (NEC) title in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI).

Luke-Kennedy is a senior and was the first of the five to head to Washington for the Bison in 2019. He had his sophomore season canceled due to the presence of COVID-19. He spoke about the box that black persons are placed into when it comes to swimming and thinks that Howard was able to dispel that notion a little.

“I know that the stereotype of black people cannot swim is very known inside America and they tend to judge us based on the color of our skin. Coming out and showing that the color of our skin does not define us is our way of thinking and the sport is big for Howard University. Being the only HBCU with a swim team at the division one level is a really big deal, especially when there’s only 1.5 percent of black swimmers in collegiate swimming. To be able to come out and do what we did is a real accomplishment, for not only us, but for black people in America and around the world,” Luke-Kennedy Thompson said.

Zaylie-Elizabeth, a sophomore, who was one of the captains of last year’s CARIFTA swim team for The Bahamas, said that representation is very important.

“I think it’s important to be that representation – that you can do it too. For little black girls, little black boys and for little Bahamians who are just looking up to swimmers and thinking what to do after high school, this is an outlet. We come from an environment where we look like everyone around us and we compete with people who look like us, then we go to school and we’re the only persons who look like us on the team. Now it’s like I can go to a team and still feel like a part of the family and feel like I’m in a comfortable environment and there are so many people who look like me. I think that kind of representation is important.” Zaylie-Elizabeth said.

Albury, a sophomore, said that there are a lot of Bahamian female swimmers who stop swimming after high school.

“I know a lot of Bahamian swimmers, especially female, just stop swimming, like by the time they finish with high school, because there’s nothing else to do. They don’t know where to go next, so it’s very good to be, that guide or people look at me and say I’m swimming so they could also do it,” Albury said.

As for a HBCU swimming championship, Zaylie-Elizabeth said that is something that she would like to see.

“I feel like it would be the hottest swimming in college history. I would love to see other black people swimming and competing, especially at the NCAA DI level because we can do it. It’s not like we don’t have the black swimmers and yes we are the minority but that doesn’t mean we’re not there. I definitely would be excited to be a part of something like that,” Zaylie-Elizabeth said.

Albury feels like even if it is not on the NCAA DI level, having the HBCUs compete against themselves would have an unimaginable energy.

Erald Thompson, who was also one of the captains for the CARIFTA swim team last year, spoke about the conference victory and the hard work it took to get there.

“It’s been very long journey, lots of morning practice, a lot of gym work and a lot of hard mental spaces to go through. Coming through and getting the win was a big deal for us, especially with a conference championship,” he said.

Luke-Kennedy said the win was partly because of those who came before the swimmers there now and Head Coach Nicholas Askew.

“Even before us, this has been set in motion by the swimmers who came before us. We just carried the torch and completed the goal of winning conference championship. There’s been a lot of work that’s been put in. Coach Nick Askew has worked on his recruiting and recruiting the right people for the team to be able to get to this level and win a conference championship,” he said.

Mark-Anthony, a junior, said they worked hard for the historic conference championship this past season.

“The feeling was exhilarating. To know that all the hard work and sacrifice for the season paid off and we’re now reaping the benefits, is a wonderful thing. We made history when we won our conference championship and it’s a good feeling to always remember,” he said.

One of the goals for the program at the beginning of the season was for the men or women to win the NEC title. Although the women did not win, Albury said she is happy for the men’s team.

“I feel as though it was a team accomplishment because all season long we trained in and out of the pool in trying to get to that goal of winning conference. It just was a big accomplishment when the final day came around and the men’s team won,” Albury said.

The senior on the team spoke highly of his coach who has helped the program get to where it is and displayed great leadership.

“He has really built this program to be where it is today, and I’m just so happy to see the growth of the program from when I started to see it now and winning the conference championship is amazing. He has three core principles – discipline, accountability and he’s positive. He makes sure he instills this in all his swimmers as we enter the program and he’s truly shown us what we can accomplish at the program,” Luke-Kennedy said.

Erald Thompson said that adjusting to life at Howard was easy as he had the other four Bahamians there with him on the swim team, especially senior Luke-Kennedy.

“I was very nervous for my first meet and having Luke-Kennedy there as someone who walked before me, was huge. He was encouraging and was there for me. He’s been a very big role model for me. He’s also like an older brother. Having our fellow Bahamians there with us was a big deal to us,” Erald said.

For Luke-Kennedy, he was happy to have other Bahamians join him on the team as he knew that he had a piece of home with him. He was thankful that he was able to go to Howard and show people back home that they, too, can swim at the NCAA DI level.

“Having the Bahamian swimmers here has been comforting and almost like bringing a piece of home over here and being able to have that close family support is amazing. Sometimes we have little cookouts on the weekend, with little peas n’ rice made by my sister. I am glad to have that up here,” Luke-Kennedy said.

Mark-Anthony enjoys being a part of the team and loves the feeling of family.

“The thing I like most about being on the team is a sense of constant competition and the drive to get better and to be better. On this team we’re like brothers and sisters and we always push each other every chance we get, whether in the weight room, the pool, or in class,” he said.

They all enjoy the environment that Askew has created which includes lively music at their practices and meets. They are known as the team that brings the energy and has sold out their home meets at Burr Gymnasium Pool in Washington, D.C.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamian-five-a-part-of-history-at-howard/

 Home|Sports|Junior champions crowned in golfSports

BGF Junior Championships took place at Ocean Club on Paradise Island

Simba FrenchSend an emailMarch 15, 2023 303 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Several champions were crowned at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) National Junior Championships at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island this past weekend.

Joining the New Providence golfers were golfers from Exuma and Grand Bahama.

It was a tough battle in the 18-and-under boys division as one stroke separated the winner from second place. Alex Dupuch was able to hold off Aidan Gorospe when he finished 14 strokes over par 158. Gorospe finished with a score of 15-over-par 159. Dupuch went into the final round with a score of eight-over-par 80 and then turned in a six-over-par 78 to hold off Gorospe. Gorospe had a strong second round when he shot four-over-par 76. His first-round score was 11-over-par 83.

Finishing third was Adrian Stan-Busuioc who finished at 20-over-par 164.

It was an even tighter battle in the 18-and-under girls division as Tyesha Tynes and Miljojka Gojkovic were tied at 50-over-par 194 at the end of regular play. In the end, Tynes won on a countback. Tynes shot 25-over-par 97 in both of her rounds. After looking to have first place locked up with an 18-under-par 90 round, things took a turn for the worse for Gojkovic with a second round score of 32-over-par 104.

Mia Underwood was in third place when she finished the two rounds with a score of 59-over-par 59.

Just a little over a week after representing The Bahamas in tennis in Guatemala, Jackson Mactaggart comfortably won the 15-and-under division with a score of 15-over-par 159. His two rounds saw him coming away with scores of eight-over-par 80 and seven-over-par 79. Placing second was Kerrington Rolle with a score of 21-over-par 165.

Camdyn Forbes was a distant third when he finished 31-over-par 175.

Swimmer Seannae Norville-Smith was brilliant in the 15-and-under division when she won by 14 strokes after the two rounds. Norville-Smith’s final score was 64-over-par 208. She had scores of 31-over-par 103 and 33-over-par 105 in the first and second rounds respectively. Taylor Sands was second with a score of 78-over-par 222. Jolene Stan-Busuioc scored 86-over-par 230 for third.

Like the 18-and-under boys division, the 13-and-under boys division champion was determined by one stroke. Denahj Mortimer improved in the second round and finished 48-over-par 192. Rashawn Hanna finished 49-over par 193.

Mortimer scored 27-over-par 99 in the first round and then he came back in the second round and scored 21-over-par 93. Hanna went into the second round with a 10-stroke lead when he finished that round 17-over-89. However, the second round was not so kind to him as he finished that round 32-over-par 104.

William West finished third with a score of 54-over-par 198.

Lilly Bisterzo was the champion in the 13-and-under girls division scoring 21-over-par 165. She shot 15-over-par 87 in the first round then scored six-over-par 78 in the second round. It was a close race for second place as one stroke separated the second and third place finishers. Haley Hall scored 24-over-par 168 to finish second. Finishing third was Maddisson Carroll as she scored 25-over-par 169.

The federation will be looking to send a 14-member team to the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships, set for July 4-7 at the North Sound Golf Club, in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

https://thenassauguardian.com/junior-champions-crowned-in-golf/