As of Tuesday, March 28, 2023

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Anthonique Strachan

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AS a two-time Austin Sealy award winner for being the most outstanding athlete, veteran sprinter Anthonique Strachan is encouraging members who will be selected to Team Bahamas to not allow the Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA Games to be their defining moment.

#Instead, Strachan, who is still competing in various global meets on the senior circuit, is advising the Bahamian junior track and field athletes to use it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things in their future careers in the sport.

#Eleven years after capturing her back-to-back Austin Sealy awards in 2011-2012, Strachan is still considered one of the top athletes to watch on the international scene. She is now training in Jamaica where she opened up her 2023 campaign with an impressive run in the women’s 100 metres in the 2023 Velocity Fest 12.

#Representing the MVP Track Club in Jamaica, Strachan took the tape in 11.02 seconds to kick off her season in grand style, leading from start to finish in a race that saw Jamaica’s Jodean Williams finish second in 11.27 and Ranona Burchell third in 11.39. “I feel great about it. It let me know what I need to work on and I was able to discover that within the race,” Strachan said. “It just showed me that I am working towards something. I was sort of aiming to have fast turnovers. “I wanted to implement the things that I’ve been doing in training to bring to my race. I don’t want to be looking good in training and then when I get into the race, I don’t know why I am not performing the way I did it in training. I didn’t do it 100 percent, but it was achieved in my race.”

#Based on her performance down the straight away of the Kingston National Track and Field Stadium, Strachan said she’s looking forward to the rest of the season where she will now concentrate on her specialty in the 200m. She’s expecting that her next race in a couple of weeks will be in the half-way event.

#Strachan, however, opted not to reveal any plans for her season.

#“I learned over time that some people could deter you from your goals, so it’s best to keep it to yourself and then you could focus on it,” Strachan stressed. “It could also possibly change, so I would prefer not to reveal it.”

#With this being a rare back-to-back year for the

#World Athletics’ World Outdoor Championships, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 that left the world in a frenzy, Strachan said she’s preparing to head to Budapest, Hungary this summer to represent the Bahamas as she did in Eugene, Oregon, last year.

#But after falling short of getting into the 100m final last year with 10th place overall, Strachan said she’s healthy and in great shape, so the sky is the limit for her.

#She also declined to give any indication of which event she will focus on this year, only to state that she will be ready to give it her best shot when the time comes.

#With her training ongoing for her season, Strachan said she probably won’t be able to return home for the Bahamas’ ninth hosting of the CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#But she sent a message to the athletes who are expected to make the team when the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations names the team today following the National High School and Final CARIFTA trials that wrapped up on Monday night.

#“Just go out there and have fun and once you train for something, you don’t have to worry about it,” Strachan said.

#“The work you put in, 90 percent of the time, that is what you are going to get out of it, so if they know within themselves that they were working towards something, then go for it.

#“You don’t always have to medal. If you can get in a personal best or get a season’s best, progress is progress, so just be content with that and don’t get overly disappointed in yourself if something doesn’t work out.”

#Strachan, a prime example of moving forward, expressed to the athletes that “this should not be the end of your season because I had seasons as a junior where CARIFTA was the only event that I went to. I started track in 2009 and in 2010, I was disappointed because I didn’t make the team.

#“But in 2011, I came back and won my first Austin Sealy award in Jamaica. After 2010, I worked on things and I made it. That same year, I realised that there is more to my track career than CARIFTA. The next year, I won the Austin Sealy award and I went on to World Junior Championships.”

#As a result of her performances, Strachan was named the female Rising Star of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, now known as World Athletics. A few years after that, she was sidelined with a series of injuries but, at the age of 29, Strachan is still going strong.

#“CARIFTA is a building stage for track and field,” Strachan said. “So don’t give up just because things didn’t work out for you or how you think things should work out for you. Let this be a stepping stone to the rest of your career.

#“Your job is to actually learn about yourself and when you learn about yourself, you can be mature about it and make wise decisions. Make sure you stay in communication with your parents, your coaches and your team-mates because they are there for you when you succeed and even when you fail.”

#Once you as an athlete develop their confidence, it comes out in the performances.

#That confidence, Strachan said, she’s seen in the Jamaican athletes and will be demonstrated here when they come to town to continue their dominance of the three-day meet, featuring more than 25 countries from around the region.

#“Jamaica is by far head and shoulders above the rest of the Caribbean because they have the athletes and they have the performances,” she stated. “But that’s not necessarily our job to focus on what they are doing.

#“If you are in lane one, focus on lane one and not what anybody else is doing. But I expect that Jamaica will have another dominating performance because their athletes are very seasoned and equipped.”

#As the athletes’ representative for the BAAA, Strachan admonished the athletes on Team Bahamas to perform at the best of their ability, especially considering the fact that they are competing at home in front of the Bahamian public.

#Strachan, a two-time national 100m and three-time 200m champion, is coming off a lifetime best of 10.98 in the 100m last year after running 7.17 in the 60m indoors. She also has a PR of 22.32 in the 200m that she ran in 2013. Additionally, Strachan has a best of 52.42 in the 400 metres that she posted in 2016.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/28/anthonique-strachan-opens-strong/?news

KEEPING THE PACE: Athletes compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Track and Field Championships and final CARIFTA Trials at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium yesterday. Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

As of Tuesday, March 28, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine, still celebrating their recent triumph in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools, captured all three divisions of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Track and Field Championships and final CARIFTA Trials.

#Last night at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, the Big Red Machine captured the under-14 combined boys and girls division with 236 points, ahead of arch rival Queen’s College Comets, who got second with 228.50 and the CH Reeves Raptors in third with 138.

#In the under-17 division combined, SAC reeled off a huge decision, accumulating 317 points over the three days of competition, well ahead of QC with 191.50. Grand Bahama’s Tabernacle Baptist Falcons came in third with 145.

#And in the under- 20 division combined, St Augustine’s College emerged on top with 290 points. Queen’s College got second with 179 and Tabernacle Baptist ended up in third with 93.

#It was the first time that the BAAA, in conjunction

#with the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture and Education collaborated to combine the hosting of the two meets at the same time. And while there were some concerns about the outcome of staging the dual meet, it turned out to be a very competitive one.

#On Monday’s final day of competition, there were 13 additional national records broken and seven more qualifying performances as the curtain came down on what turned out to be an eventful segment of the final trials ahead of the team selection today.

#One of the leading performances came from Jamiah Nabbie of Queen’s College in the under-17 girls division as she added the qualifying standard in the 200 metres to her previous feats in both the 100m and long jump over the previous two days.

#Nabbie completed her hat trick in the 200m in a time of 24.52 to erase the national high school record of 26.07 and surpassed the CARIFTA standard of 24.83. SAC got second and third from Shayann Demeritte in 25.27 and Alexis Roberts in 25.56.

#“I enjoyed the 100m more because the long jump interfered with the 200m so I couldn’t compete to the best of my abilities in the semifinals,” said Nabbie, a 5-foot, 10-inch versatile athlete, who just turned 15 in December.

#In preparation for the trek towards the games, Nabbie admitted that she had to change her diet coming into the trials. Now that she has completed her mission, she noted that she’s looking forward to doing all three events at CARIFTA, if she gets the opportunity to do so.

#Cayden Smith, running unattached, was the clear winner of the under- 17 boys 200 metres in a national high school record time of 21.87 seconds as he also surpassed the qualifying standard of 22.08. SAC’s Andrew Brown got second in 22.14 and Aiden Kelly of Tabernacle Baptist was third in 22.24.

#“I feel great. It’s amazing. The 200m is my race, I own it. I envisioned that time,” said the 15-year-old 10th grader of South Plantation in Florida. “This is the home of my mother, so I want to come home and represent her well at the games.”

#Two qualifiers came in the under-20 boys 110m hurdles as Tayshaun Robinson of St John’s College leaned through the 10 flights of three-foot, six-inch hurdles in 14.08 seconds to erase the national record of 15.20 and was joined by SAC graduate Otto Laing, who came home from college for second in 14.15 as they both surpassed the CARIFTA standard of 14.20.

#Lavardo Deveaux, coming off his CARIFTA qualifying performance in the gruelling two days of competition in the octathlon, had enough energy to surge into third in 14.98.

#“Going into the race, I just wanted to be the first one to cross the finish line and stay focused the rest of the race,” said Robinson, a 16-year-old 12th grader of St John’s.

#Robinson said he was pleased to get the opportunity to compete against a quality competitor in Laing, who helped to pull him through as they both secured their berths for CARIFTA.

#As he looks ahead to the games, Robinson said his aim is to stay focused and hopefully get a chance to get on the podium for a medal.

#And in the under-17 boys’ 100m hurdles, Quinton Rolle of SAC powered through the field in a time of 14.65 to shatter the national record of 16.43. His nearest rival was versatile Kenny Moxey of Queen’s College, who came back a day after a thrilling showdown in the high jump, for second in 15.07. Malik White of SAC was third in 16.85.

#“The race was good. It was a fast race, well executed. I want to thank my mother (Nicolette McKinney) for being there to support me,” said Rolle, a 16-year-old 10th grader.

#Rolle, a towering 6-4 figure, said he hopes that he can run at least 13.9 and be a contender for a medal, if he is selected to the team.

#In the under-17 girls 100m hurdles, Meagan Moss of SAC took the victory in 15.96 over St John’s Valentina Knowles in 16.65. Andrinique Lamour of Nassau Christian Academy was third in 17.05.

#Sunland Baptist’s Jaynae Pinder took the under- 20 girls 100m hurdles in 15.24, nipping CR Walker’s Ivaneice Charlton, who slipped and fell through the finish line in 15.25. Davondra Sands, competing unattached, was third in 15.39.

#SAC got a 1-2 punch from Nathan King in 13.20 and Deahyne Saunders in 13.25 in the boys under- 14 80m hurdles. Dameco Davis of Jack Hayward was third in 13.30.

#Grand Bahamian Treasure Burrows surged from the middle of the pack on the back stretch and emerged down the home stretch for the win in the under-20 girls 800m in 2:18.51 with Jasmine Mackey, competing unattached, second in 2:18.85. Ezthia Maycock of SAC was third in 2:!9.27.

#“I felt pretty good. I did what I came here to do,” Burrows said.

#“At the beginning of the race, I wasn’t in it because I wanted to see where my opponents were.

#“But as I came down the stretch, I knew I had to go for it.”

#Akaree Roberts of CR Walker went out on her own in the final 600m and went for the qualifying time of 2:19.22m, but fell short at the line in her victory in 2:19.39 as she fell off the late surge by Grand Bahama’s Erin Barr of Tabernacle Baptist in 2:26.03. Yulianis Akompi of SAC placed third in 2:26.87.

#Tyrone Conliffe of Sir Jack Hayward came from second on the back stretch to power on top in 2:02.73.

#In the under-14 girls 800m, Shakinah Lewis of AF Adderley out-sprinted the field in the girls under- 14 8-00m in 2:40.66 to hold off a pair of competitors from Queen’s College as Cierra Delancy was second in 2:42.42 and A’Mayah Davis was third in 2:43.09.

#Arjay Roberts of SAC pulled off the win in the under-14 boys two-lap race in 2:22.08 over St John’s duo of Anthony Saunders in 2:38.09 and Cordell Munroe in 2:31.00.

#On the field, SAC’s Boyli Major soared 11.73m in the under-17 girls triple jump to surpass the qualifying standard of 11.42m for CARIFTA. Zoe Adderley, competing unattached, was second with 11.32m as she fell short. CV Bethel’s Darininique Morris was third with 10.27m.

#And in the under-20 boys triple jump, there were a pair of CARIFTA qualifiers as Johnathan Rodgers of CI Gjbson won with 15.10m and LaQuan Ellis, competing unattached, was second with 15.04m. They both went over the CARIFTA standard of 14.68. Coming in third was Rollie Hanna of Anatol Rodgers with 14.12m.

#Although she might be a little too young to make the CARIFTA team, 13-year-old Keyezra ‘KK’ Thomas of Bishop Michael Eldon produced a pair of smashing performances in winning both the under-14 girls 100 and 200m.

#Like she did in the 100, Thomas used her height to power away from the field to easily out-distance her rivals in the 200m in 25.28 for a national high school record. QC’s Zara Fraser was second in 26.38 and TA Thompson’s Brion Ward was third in 26.74.

#“I am very glad about the way I performed and I really want to thank the Lord for allowing me to finish injury free,” Thomas said. “Many people say I’m very fast for my age and if I continue, I can do many great things for the Bahamas.”

#Thomas said her goal is to continue to work hard and be ready to take her rightful place on the CARIFTA team in 2024.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/28/sac-victorious-big-red-machine-win-all-three-divis/?news

Members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) at yesterday’s press conference for the announcement of the 80-member team for the CARIFTA Games.

As of Wednesday, March 29, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) announced an 80-member CARIFTA team for the first time in history yesterday at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

#After a highly competitive CARIFTA trials combined with the Bahamas National High School Track and Field championships this past weekend, many were anticipating the announcement of Team Bahamas’ CARIFTA athletes.

#This year’s CARIFTA team will not only feature 80 members for the first time in Bahamian history but will also include the largest contingent of Family Island representatives.

#Drumeco Archer, president of the BAAA, said the selection process is always emotional and tension-filled as athletes always want to represent their country at the CARIFTA Games.

#He added that the selection process wrapped up at 3am yesterday after the executive committee spent hours going through the names and stats, not only locally but throughout the region.

#Although the selection process was difficult within good reason, officials are confident that this year’s CARIFTA team will bring home gold at the country’s 50th CARIFTA Games.

#Team Bahamas’ under 17 girls will include Jamiah Nabbie, Shayann Demeritte, Darvinique Dean, Tamia Taylor, Akaree Roberts, Bayli Major, Erin Barr, Madison Moss, Grace Komolafe, Tylah Pratt, Zoe Adderley, Terrell McCoy, Danielle Nixon, Kennise Scavella, Kamera Strachan, and Dior-Rae Scott.

#The under 17 boys will feature Andrew Brown, Ishmael Rolle, Cayden Smith, Eagan Neely, Zion Shepherd, Tyrone Conliffe, Zion Hendfield, Ross Martin, Christopher Williams-Martin, Kenny Moxey Jr., Quinton Rolle, Zion Davis, Joshua Williams, Erris Pratt, Demian Brice II, Rubin Bain, Jalen Stuart, and Larouche Morley. The relay pool will include Javano Bridgewater, and Trent Ford.

#Notably missing from this year’s under 17 girls team is Bishop Michael Eldon’s Keyezra Thomas, who dominated her competitors in the under 14 girls 100m and 200m race.

#Despite the 13-year-old being dominant on the track, she is too young to compete at April’s 50th CARIFTA Games but will look to qualify in 2024.

#With a number of officials being impressed with her efforts as a young athlete, Archer said although it can hurt athletes to miss out on the CARIFTA Games, they always come back more aggressively the next time by using it as a motivation to get onto the team the next time around. The 2023 Team Bahamas under 20 girls are Shatalya Dorsett, Amari Pratt, Lacarthea Cooper, Javonya Valcourt, Treasure Burrows, Jasmine Mackey, Akaya Lightbourne, Koi Adderley, Apryl Adderley, Lanaisha Lubin, Annae Mackey, Calea Jackson, Cailyn Johnson, G’Shan Brown, Vanessa Sawyer, and Essence Sands. The relay pool has Quincy Penn, Nya Wright, and Melvinique Gibson.

#The under 20 boys are Carlos Brown, Adam Musgrove, Zachary Evans, Clinton Laguerre, Philip Gray, Raywind Winder, Christopher Saintus, Otto Laing, Tayshaun Robinson, Shimar Bain, Mateo Smith, Johnathan Rodgers, Laquan Ellis, Robert Deal, Nathaniel McCardy, Kaden Cartwright, Brenden Vanderpool, Tyler Cash, Lavardo Deveaux, and Reanno Todd. The under 20 boys relay pool will include Johnathan Fowler, Zion Campbell, Berkley Munnings, Tumani Skinner, and Jeremiah Adderley.

#Team Bahamas’ 2023 CARIFTA team will be under the supervision of eight coaches, three managers, and five chaperons. Team managers are Pharez Cooper, Mildred Adderley, and Sophia Higgs. Head coach of the team will be John Ingraham. He will be assisted by Noel Pratt, Earl Rahming, Rachante Colebrooke, Patricia Rolle, Keno Demeritte, Andrew Tynes, and Alexis Roberts.

#Although 80 athletes may seem like a lot to handle, team leader Pharez Cooper talked about the plan to manage athletes for Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA games.

#“We have coaches for jumps, sprints, hurdles [and] whatever discipline that the athletes are apart of,” Cooper said.

#He added that the coaches will be directly responsible for those athletes during the day of at the track and that chaperons were strategically picked with the mindsets of having to manage a large team due to their experience with other teams.

#With the 50th edition of April’s CARIFTA games now eight days away athletes will prep to stay at the CARIFTA village at Superclub Breezes on April 6.

#This year’s game will feature more than 600 athletes from 28 countries competing on April 7-10.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/29/bahamas-2023-carifta-team-announced/

 Home|Sports|BAAA names full 80-member teamSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMarch 29, 2023 143 5 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

With the CARIFTA Games being held here in The Bahamas for a record ninth time, and with this being the 50th anniversary year of The Bahamas’ Independence and of the CARIFTA Games itself, the host nation has every intention of being well-represented.

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) ratified a full 80-member squad late Monday night and released those names to the public in a press conference Tuesday afternoon, and now the team will begin its final preparation stages for the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games.

The archipelagic nation of The Bahamas is well-represented with about a dozen athletes from Grand Bahama, two from Andros, one from Moore’s Island, Abaco and the remainder from the capital New Providence. The 80 members represent the most ever selected for a Bahamian track and field team for the CARIFTA Games, and it is a relatively young team as more than half of the members are first-time CARIFTA athletes.

Named to the squad are: Under-17 Girls (16) – Jamiah Nabbie (100m, 200m, long jump), Shayann Demerritte (100m, 200m), Darvinique Dean (400m, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles), Ta’mia Taylor (400m), Akaree Roberts (800m), Erin Barr (1,500m), Madison Moss (100m hurdles), Bayli Major (400m hurdles, triple jump), Zoe Adderley (triple jump), Grace Komolafe (high jump), Tylah Pratt (high jump), Kamera Strachan (javelin), Dior-Rae Scott (javelin), Kenyce Scavella (discus), Danielle Nixon (discus, shot put) and Terrell McCoy (shot put); under-17 boys (20) – Ishmael Rolle (100m), Andrew Brown (100m, 200m, 400m), Cayden Smith (200m), Zion Shepherd (400m), Tyrone Conliffe (800m), Zion Hendfield (800m), Ross Martin (1,500m), Christopher Williams-Martin (1,500m), Quinton Rolle (110m hurdles, 400m hurdles), Kenny Moxey Jr. (110m hurdles, long jump), Zion Davis (400m hurdles), Joshua Williams (long jump, high jump), Demian Brice II (triple jump), Erris Pratt (high jump), Larouche Morley (discus), Jalen Stuart (discus, shot put), Rubin Bain (shot put), Javano Bridgewater (relay pool), Trent Ford (relay pool) and Eagan Neely (relay pool); under-20 girls (19) – Shatalya Dorsett (100m), Amari Pratt (100m, 200m), Lacarthea Cooper (200m, 400m), Javonya Valcourt (400m), Treasure Burrows (800m), Jasmine Mackey (800m, 3,000m), Akaya Lightbourne (1,500m, 3,000m), Lanaisha Lubin (long jump, triple jump), Apryl Adderley (long jump, triple jump), Koi Adderley (high jump), G’Shan Brown (javelin), Vanessa Sawyer (javelin), Calea Jackson (discus, shot put), Cailyn Johnson (discus), Annae Mackey (shot put), Essence Sands (heptathlon), Quincy Penn (relay pool), Nya Wright (relay pool) and Melvinique Gibson (relay pool); and under-20 boys (25) – Carlos Brown (100m), Adam Musgrove (100m, 200m), Zachary Evans (200m), Clinton Laguerre (400m, 400m hurdles), Philip Gray (400m), Raywind Winder (1,500m), Christopher Saintilus (5,000m), Tayshaun Robinson (110m hurdles), Otto Laing (110m hurdles), Shimar Bain (400m hurdles), Mateo Smith (long jump), Johnathan Rodgers (long jump, triple jump), La’Quan Ellis (triple jump), Kaden Cartwright (javelin, discus), Robert Deal (shot put), Nathaniel McCardy (shot put), Brenden Vanderpool (pole vault), Tyler Cash (pole vault), Lavardo Deveaux (octathlon), Reanno Todd (octathlon), Zion Campbell (relay pool), Johnathan Fowler (relay pool), Jeremiah Adderley (relay pool), Tumani Skinner (relay pool) and Berkley Munnings (relay pool).

There were multiple athletes who qualified in multiple events, and three in particular – Darvinique Dean, Jamiah Nabbie and Kenny Moxey Jr. – qualified in three events each.

The head coach of the squad is John Ingraham from Freeport, Grand Bahama, and he will be assisted by Noel Pratt, Earl Rahming, Rachante Colebrooke, Patricia Rolle, Nekeno Demeritte, Andrew Tynes and Alexis Roberts. The team leader/manager of the team is Pharez Cooper from Freeport, Grand Bahama, and he will be assisted by Sophia Higgs and Mildred Adderley. The chaperones for the team are Dazelle Munroe, Quincy Gray and Garfield Morrison.

“The look and feel that you would have experienced over the last three days was simply world-class. Many are called but few are chosen and I believe that concept will create more tension and expand the size and competitiveness of making the track and field team. It’s unprecedented when you have 50 years celebrating CARIFTA, and it’s unprecedented when you have a team this size. I don’t believe we have ever carried an 80-member team, but I could say that it is well-structured and came with a lot of consideration. I expect nothing but the best from this squad,” said Drumeco Archer, president of the BAAA.

Following the ICS Security Concepts Bahamas National High School Track and Field Championships/CARIFTA Trials over the weekend at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, there were 56 qualifiers for Team Bahamas for the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games. Not all of those qualifiers were named to the team because there were some events that had up top five and six qualifiers. Only two athletes could represent any nation in any particular discipline and the maximum size of any team for CARIFTA is 80. Additionally, there were a number of non-qualifiers who were named to the team.

“This year’s team we expect to be a great team. We have a large team that is made up of athletes who stretch from across the length and breadth of The Bahamas,” said BAAA Vice President of Business Operations Pharez Cooper. “In the past year, the BAAA started an initiative where we did a talent search throughout the length and breadth of the country, and as a result, we have one of our largest representations of Family Island members on this team. We expect good stuff. We came to defend our turf and win gold and that is what we intend to do.”

Speaking on behalf of the Local Organizing Committee of the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games (LOC), its chief executive officer (CEO) Lynden Maycock said they are very excited and are indeed looking forward to what they expect will be a golden representation for The Bahamas at the CARIFTA Games. The junior regional athletics meet is less than two weeks away, set for April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium.

“These young men and women named to this team would have been inspired in their journey to be named to this team and we in the LOC congratulate all of them,” said Maycock. “We welcome the rest of the region to The Bahamas and we wait for them to come and experience the greatest junior athletics competition in the world. We look forward to the competition and we certainly wish Team Bahamas all the best at the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games.”

ICS Security Concepts Chief Financial Officer (CFO) John Fowler brought remarks on behalf of the title sponsor of the CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals and Team Bahamas.

“On behalf of the board, we see this as another opportunity in our corporate and civic duty to support organizations such as the BAAA, and in this regard, CARIFTA and Team Bahamas,” said Fowler. “We support the BAAA in their tremendous effort in encouraging young people through sports and selecting the best of the best to represent us and to bring home gold. We’re not just here to defend the turf, we’re here to win gold. We at ICS are the same way in the things that we deliver. We have reached out to CARIFTA in a tangible way to assist them financially in a fantastic effort with our young people. ICS Security Concepts is one of those companies that believe in excellence and believe in young people and having said that, we are in total support of Team Bahamas for the 50th CARIFTA Games. We’re not just investing into Team Bahamas but we’re investing into the future. We’re excited and we believe that victory is ours already.”

The LOC will stage a float parade and pep rally for the 80-member squad at 4 p.m. this Thursday. The parade will start from Caribbean Cultural Village at the Eastern Grandstand of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, and following the parade which ends back at the stadium, disc jockeys Manni and Crush will provide entertainment at the pep rally.

Tickets for CARIFTA itself can still be purchased online at the website www.carifta50.com or in person at the box office at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Daily rates start at $5 and go up as high as $50 for the VIP section. There are also tickets available for all three days that start from $40 for the bronze section and go up to $130 for the VIP section.

https://thenassauguardian.com/baaa-names-full-80-member-team/

 Home|Sports|Sports

The Bahamas avoids relegation on Joseph’s equalizer

Simba FrenchSend an emailMarch 29, 2023 114 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas senior men’s national soccer team was down 1-0 in the second half on the road against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Monday and found the will power to pull off an equalizer. They needed a savior with less than 30 minutes left in the game. A goal came from none other than Team Captain Marcel Joseph in the 70th minute and the game ended in a 1-1 draw at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on Monday.

The tie means that The Bahamas finished third in League B Group C action of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Nations League. They finished with four points with a 1-4-1 win/loss/draw record in the group. St. Vincent and the Grenadines went winless in the group, finishing with an 0-4-2 record with two points, They were relegated to League C of CONCACAF.

Head Coach for The Bahamas Nesley Jean started the same 11 players who were featured in the game against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.

“We stayed with the same starting 11 because of what we have seen in training and against Trinidad. We as coaches can see how the guys improve and how the team is improving so we wanted to give them another chance,” Jean said. “This game was a head-to-head game which no one wanted to lose so it became a scrappy game in which both teams had many chances and it was all about who had more fight in them to go through.”

Joseph got a ball on a thrown-in on the left wing just outside the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ 18-yard box. The Bahamas’ captain saw the substitute goalkeeper Josh Stowe was deep on the near post and left the back post vulnerable. Joseph took a shot at it and lobbed the ball for the back post and was able to beat an outstretched Stowe. He got a friendly bounce off the post and into the back of the net for The Bahamas’ first goal from open play in the tournament.

Joseph was done in the 71st minute. The Bahamas was able to hold off any comeback by the home squad and even had an opportunity to go ahead on a header from Omari Bain on a pass from Michael Massey but the shot went wide of the goal.

Early in the game, in the 12th minute, the home team had a chance to go up 1-0 on a cross but the Bahamian keeper Ian Lowe made a great save and then made another one. St. Vincent and the Grenadines came knocking on The Bahamas’ door again seven minutes later but Lowe came off his line to punch a cross away. It came off a St. Vincent and the Grenadines player’s head and was right on target, but center back Lesly St. Fleur stood on the goal line and prevented the early goal. Lowe caught a clearance and kept the score at 0-0.

Looking to attack more, The Bahamas found the back of the net in the 56th minute but Quinton Carey, who cleaned up starting goalkeeper Jadiel Chance’s rebound on a long-distance shot from Christopher Rahming with a well-placed shot, was whistled for offside. Carey’s celebration got cut short as the goal was rescinded with the score remaining 0-0.

In the 59th minute, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Oalex Anderson received a ball in The Bahamas’ 18-yard box but Bahamian center back Roen Davis clipped Anderson’s foot bringing him to the ground. The referee had no choice but to call a penalty. Kyle Edwards stepped up at the penalty spot against Lowe. Edwards put some pace on the ball and sent it low and to the right of Lowe who could not stop it although he dove to the right side. St. Vincent and the Grenadines went up 1-0 and it looked like they might have gotten their first win but Joseph had the last say.

The Bahamas returns home today. The 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League group stage will be played during the official FIFA (International Association Football Federation) match windows in September, October, and November 2023, followed by the CONCACAF Nations League Finals in March 2024 to determine the winner for the third edition of the CNL.

The official draw for the competition’s third edition is scheduled for Tuesday May 16, 2023.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-avoids-relegation-on-josephs-equalizer/

 Home|Sports|Strachan opens season strongSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMarch 29, 2023 131 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian female sprinter Anthonique Strachan cracked open her 2023 outdoor season in a blazing 11.02 seconds to win the 100m meters (m) race at the MVP (Maximising Velocity and Power) Velocity Fest 12 at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on Saturday.

After clocking 11.42 seconds in the preliminaries, Strachan returned later that day and clocked the winning time of 11.02 to post the second-fastest time in the world so far this season. Only New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs has a faster time, 10.97 seconds, that she ran back on March 11.

“I am very satisfied and content with my opening time,” Strachan said. “I did not execute the best race on Saturday. All-in-all it showed me what all I have to work on and how I have to dial-in more, especially on the day of competition.”

Strachan said she tried to be as aggressive as possible in the first 30 meters of the race. She said she wanted to build off that aggression for the rest of the race and run through the tape.

In the final, Strachan pulled away from Jamaican Jodean Williams who clocked a personal best of 11.27 seconds. Finishing third was Jamaican Remona Burchell who posted a time of 11.30 seconds.

“I feel good this season,” Strachan said. “We were able to pick up where I left off last season so I can build on it going into August for the world championships in Budapest,” she added.

The 2023 World Athletics Championships, the 19th edition of the event, is scheduled for August 19-27, in Budapest, Hungary.

Strachan had another fast season opener last year as she opened the 2022 outdoor season at the same location, clocking 10.99 seconds at the John Wolmer Speed Fest.

Strachan had a strong year in 2022, eventually clocking a personal best of 10.98 seconds at the 18th World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, in July. She was just shy of advancing to her first global final in Eugene last year.

Next up for Strachan is her season opener in the 200m, which is scheduled for April 8 at the Miramar Invitational at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida. She ran her fastest time in eight years in the 200m last season, clocking 22.55 seconds.

https://thenassauguardian.com/strachan-opens-season-strong/

 Home|Sports|A total of 56 athletes qualify for CARIFTASports

Team Bahamas set to be named today; divisional winners crowned

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMarch 28, 2023 355 8 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

After one of the most competitive and action-packed CARIFTA Trials in Bahamian athletics history, a full squad is expected to be ratified and named today, setting the stage for what’s to come in less than two weeks’ time.

A total of 56 Bahamian athletes qualified for the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, given the qualification times and standards that were laid out by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) at the beginning of the season. Some qualified multiple times and in multiple events, and there were three in particular who qualified in three events each – Darvinique Dean, Jamiah Nabbie and Kenny Moxey Jr.

The ICS Security Concepts Bahamas National High School Track and Field Championships/CARIFTA Trials wrapped up at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Monday evening, signaling the end of an intense three-day meet in which the high school nationals and the CARIFTA Trials were combined for the first time.

Now, it’s on to the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, which is set for April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium.

With a combination of junior and senior schools competing, only divisional winners were crowned in the high school nationals portion of the meet.

In the under-14 division, girls and boys combined, the St. Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine emerged victorious, winning with 236 points. The Queen’s College Comets finished second with 228.50 points, and the C.H. Reeves Raptors finished third with 138 points.

In the under-17 division, girls and boys combined, SAC once again came out on top, winning with 317 points. The Comets finished a distant second with 191.50 points, and the Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons finished third with 145 points.

In the under-20 division, girls and boys combined, SAC won with 299 points, the Comets were again second with 179 points, and the Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons were third with 93 points.

Finally, in the open division, girls and boys combined, Sunland Baptist won with 23 points, the C.R. Walker Knights were second with 14 points, and there was a four-way tie for third between Doris Johnson Senior High, SAC, the Comets and C.C. Sweeting Senior High, all with 10 points.

Individually, Keyezre Thomas, of Bishop Michael Eldon, emerged as the most outstanding track athlete in the under-14 girls division, scoring the most points in that division. SAC’s Darvinique Dean emerged as the most outstanding track athlete in the under-17 girls division. Quincy Penn, of Moore’s Island All-Age, was the most outstanding track athlete in the under-20 girls division.

The Comets’ Tarjahnaye Green was the most outstanding field athlete in the under-14 girls division. Terrell McCoy, of Windsor School, was the most outstanding field athlete in the under-17 girls division. The Comets’ Lanaisha Lubin finished as the most outstanding field athlete in the under-20 girls division.

Keyshawn Pinder, representing the SPMC (St. Paul’s Methodist College) Saints, emerged as the most outstanding track athlete in the under-14 boys division. Ross Martin, of C.R. Walker, finished as the most outstanding track athlete in the under-17 boys division, scoring the most points in that division. SAC’s Clinton Laguerre finished as the most outstanding track athlete in the under-20 boys division.

Tavaris Roberts, of C.H. Reeves, finished as the most outstanding field athlete in the under-14 boys division. Tabernacle’s Joshua Williams was the most outstanding field athlete in the under-17 boys division. Johnathon Rodgers, of C.I. Gibson Senior High School, finished as the most outstanding field athlete in the under-20 boys division.

Additionally, Thomas had the most points in the under-14 girls division, Jamiah Nabbie, of Queen’s College, scored the most points in the under-17 girls division, and her teammate Annae Mackey scored the most points in the under-20 girls division. Zion Bradford, of Sunland Baptist, and Kamron Henfield, of Queen’s College, tied for the most points in the under-14 boys division. Martin had the most points in the under-17 boys division, and Emmanuel Adams, of C.C. Sweeting, scored the most points in the under-20 boys division.

SAC won seven of the 12 relays, including the under-20 girls and boys 4x100m and 4x400m events, booking their tickets to the 127th running of the Penn Relays, set for April 27-29, 2023, at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They also won the under-17 girls and boys 4x100m relays and the under-14 boys 4x100m relay. The Comets won three of the 12 relays, including the under-14 girls 4x100m relay, the under-14 girls 4x400m relay and the under-17 girls 4x400m relay. The Knights won the under-17 boys 4x400m and the St. John’s College Giants won the under-14 boys 4x400m relay.

As far as the CARIFTA Trials are concerned, there were 56 qualifiers in total. Quite a few qualified in multiple events.

There were five qualifiers in the under-17 boys high jump alone, three of whom had previously qualified, and another who had qualified in another event. Additionally, the sixth-place finisher qualified at a meet earlier this year.

Winning the event with a national high school record of 1.93m (6’ 4”) was Joshua Williams of Tabernacle Baptist Academy. Kenny Moxey Jr., of Queen’s College, and Erris Pratt, of St. George’s High, finished tied for second, both clearing 1.89m (6’ 2-1/4”). Kenyon Johnson, of Kingsway Academy, was the surprise qualifier, also clearing 1.89m, but had to settle for fourth based on number of knockdowns. The final qualifier at the ICS Security Concepts CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals was Demian Brice II, of SAC. He cleared 1.87m (6’ 1-1/2”) and finished fifth. Claudius Burrows, of Tabernacle, achieved the CARIFTA qualifying height during the season, but could only muster a best of 1.79m (5’ 10-1/2”) at the CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals. The qualifying height for CARIFTA was 1.85m (6’ 0-3/4”).

Brice previously qualified in the under-17 boys triple jump. He won that event at the CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals with a leap of 12.82m (42’ 0-3/4”). Davon Davis, of Queen’s College, finished second with a leap of 12.70m (41’ 8”), and Dishon Dean, of Tabernacle, rounded out the top three with a distance of 12.59m (41’ 3-3/4”). The qualifying distance for CARIFTA was 12.94m (42’ 5-1/2”).

Moxey is a qualifier in the under-17 boys 110m hurdles and also the open boys pole vault.

In the final of the hurdles on Monday, he finished second behind SAC’s Quinton Rolle in 15.07 seconds. Rolle won in a blazing personal best time of 14.65 seconds and Moxey was second. SAC’s Malik White finished third in 16.85 seconds. The qualifying time for CARIFTA was 15.65 seconds.

“It was a rough season for me but I pulled through. I just want to thank God, my mother and everyone who pulled for me,” said Rolle. “My goal is to go out there, enjoy the run and keep the gold in The Bahamas at CARIFTA. I represented The Bahamas before and it will be a joy to do it again. I’m looking forward to it.”

Moxey was the sole competitor in the open boys pole vault and matched the CARIFTA qualifying height of 3.60m (11’ 9-3/4”).

A couple of athletes went under the standard in the under-20 boys 110m hurdles. Tayshaun Robinson, of St. John’s, qualified earlier in the season, and did so again at the CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals, running a personal best of 14.08 seconds for the gold medal. Running unattached, Otto Laing clocked 14.15 seconds for the silver medal, qualifying for CARIFTA for the first time. Lavardo Deveaux, who previously qualified in the open boys octathlon, competed unattached and ran 14.98 for third. The qualifying time for CARIFTA was 14.20 seconds.

“I’m excited and ready to go, ready to go out there and represent my country,” said Robinson. “I told myself to just stay focused, execute my race and just push through. This is a dream come true and I’m overly excited right now.”

In the under-14 girls 75m hurdles, SAC’s Jayla Smith was victorious, winning in 12.83 seconds. Demaiyah Lockhart, of Jack Hayward High, was a distant second, finishing in 14.85 seconds, and her teammate Rosay Palmer came in third in 15.05 seconds.

It was a 1-2 finish for SAC in the under-14 boys 80m hurdles. Nathon King edged his teammate Dwayne Saunders, winning in 13.20 seconds. Saunders was second in 13.25 seconds. Dameco Davis, of Jack Hayward High, finished third in 13.30 seconds.

In the under-17 girls javelin, SAC’s Kamera Strachan and Dior-Rae Scott both surpassed the CARIFTA qualifying distance again, and so did Taysha Stubbs, of Nassau Christian Schools (NCS). Strachan won the competition with a throw of 43.59m (143’). Scott, the CARIFTA champion and CARIFTA record holder from a year ago, finished second with a toss of 42.29m (138’ 9”). Stubbs was third with a throw of 35.84m (117’ 7”). The qualifying distance for CARIFTA was 35.35m (115’ 11”).

In the under-20 girls long jump, Lanaisha Lubin, of Queen’s College, qualified in her second event for the 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games, leaping 5.58m (18’ 3-3/4”). Lubin, who earlier qualified in the under-20 girls triple jump, joined SAC’s Apryl Adderley as a qualifier in the long jump event. Adderley previously qualified during the season, and was second in the final at the CARIFTA Trials/High School Nationals, leaping 5.49m (18’ 0-1/4”). Koi Adderley, competing unattached, finished third with a distance of 5.45m (17’ 10-3/4”). The qualifying distance for CARIFTA was 5.51m (18’ 1”).

In the under-17 girls 200m, Jamiah Nabbie, of Queen’s College, qualified in her third event for the CARIFTA Games. She stopped the clock at 24.52 seconds to go under the qualifying time of 24.83 seconds for the first time this season. She has also qualified in the 100m and the long jump. SAC’s Shayann Demeritte was second in 25.27 seconds and her teammate Alexis Roberts finished third in 25.56 seconds.

“This feels awesome. I knew I could do it. Going into CARIFTA, I’m going to push even harder,” said Nabbie. “This wasn’t easy at all. I had to work on a lot of things, including my diet and health issues. I did that building up to the CARIFTA Trials and it paid off.”

In the under-17 boys version of that race, Cayden Smith, of Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, United States, won that event and qualified for CARIFTA with a time of 21.87 seconds, going under the CARIFTA qualifying time of 22.08 seconds. SAC’s Andrew Brown, who has qualified in the 100m and 400m, was second in 22.14 seconds, and Aiden Kelly, of Tabernacle Baptist Academy, finished third in 22.24 seconds.

“This feels great. It’s amazing. The 200 is my race. I own it. I knew what I had to do and I just went out there and did it,” said Smith. “I visualized that time, and I was able to get it. This is my mom’s home country, so it will be an honor to come here and compete. I’m looking forward to it.”

One of the more special athletes and special performances of the three-day meet came from 13-year-old Keyezra Thomas of Bishop Michael Eldon High School. Thomas, who just turned 13 in January, was a triple gold medalist, winning the under-14 girls 200m, 400m and long jump events, actually qualifying for CARIFTA in the 400m. She ran a torrid 56.28 seconds for the gold medal in the under-14 girls 400m, finishing more than eight seconds faster than the second-place finisher, and also faster than the gold medalist in the under-17 girls 400m. Due to her young age, she is ineligible to compete at CARIFTA, but certainly established herself as a force to be reckoned and one to watch in the future.

In the under-14 girls 200m on Monday, Thomas won in 25.28 seconds. Zara Fraser, of Queen’s College, was a distant second in 26.38 seconds. Brion Ward, of T.A. Thompson, finished third in 26.74 seconds.

“Next year, I’m looking forward to making it to the CARIFTA team and any other team that I qualify for,” Thomas said. “This was a good experience for me and I enjoyed it. I feel amazing. I’m happy and glad that I came to compete. I’m just surprised and happy. I just had to come over here and do what I always do. I just want to thank God, my parents, my coaches and everyone who supported me.”

Quincy Penn, of Moore’s Island All-Age School, won the under-20 girls 200m, just missing the CARIFTA standard of 24.40 seconds. She prevailed in 24.53 seconds. SAC’s Amari Pratt, who qualified in the 200m earlier in the season, was second on Monday in 24.70 seconds. Her teammate Nya Wright finished third in 24.82 seconds.

“We don’t have the proper facilities in Moore’s Island. We train on a grass track, so to come here and run against girls who train on this track and win, that’s a good feeling,” said Penn. “I’m proud of myself. This feels awesome. Hopefully, I can get on the CARIFTA team.”

Running unattached, Adam Musgrove won the under-20 boys 200m in 21.57 seconds. He missed the qualifying time of 21.40 seconds but qualified in the 200m earlier in the season and qualified in the 100m on Saturday. Jeremiah Adderley, of NCS finished second in 21.63 seconds and SAC’s Jonathon Fowler crossed the finish line in third in 21.69 seconds.

Johnathon Rodgers, of C.I. Gibson Senior High School, won the under-20 boys triple jump, qualifying for CARIFTA with a distance of 15.10m (49’ 6-1/2”). He is also a CARIFTA qualifier in the under-20 boys long jump. Competing unattached, La’Quan Ellis also qualified for CARIFTA in the triple jump, leaping 15.04m (49’ 4-1/4”). Rollie Hanna, of Anatol Rodgers, finished third with a jump of 14.12m (46’ 4”). The qualifying distance for CARIFTA was 14.68m (48’ 2”).

Bayli Major, of SAC, qualified for CARIFTA in the under-17 girls triple jump again, leaping 11.73m (38’ 6”) for the gold medal on Monday. The qualifying mark for CARIFTA was 11.42m (37’ 5-3/4”). Competing unattached, Zoe Adderley finished second with a distance of 11.33m (37’ 2-1/4”). Darrinique Morris, of C.V. Bethel Senior High School, was third with a jump of 10.27m (33’ 8-1/2”).

More results can be found on the website tekresults.net.

The 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games is just 12 days away, set for April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium.

Tickets for CARIFTA can be purchased online at the website www.carifta50.com or in person at the box office at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Daily rates start at $5 and go up as high as $50 for the VIP section. There are also tickets for all three days that start from $40 for the bronze section and go up to $130 for the VIP section.

https://thenassauguardian.com/a-total-of-56-athletes-qualify-for-carifta/

 Home|Sports|‘Jazz’ ranks 60th in ESPN’s top 100 MLB player rankingsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMarch 28, 2023 101 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) season gets underway this coming Thursday and the top 100 MLB player rankings have made the rounds. Bahamian Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr. sits at number 60 on ESPN’s list.

The Miami Marlins second baseman turned centerfielder has been making an impression, particularly in the time he played last season which was cut short due to a stress fracture in his back. He is one of three Marlins players on the ESPN list along with second baseman Luis Arráez (83rd) and starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (11th).

The Bahamian was named as a starter for the MLB All-Star game for the National League last season but did not play due to the injury he sustained. He was the first Bahamian to be selected to an all-star team in MLB and the fifth player in Marlins history to be voted in as a starter.

Chisholm, who was recently moved to center field by the Marlins after they acquired American League batting champion and all-star infielder Arráez, said that he is working hard every day and is looking forward to the switch. In 2022, he was among the best defensive second basemen in the National League, but for the immediate future, he will man center field for the Marlins.

The left-handed hitter is looking to improve his performance from the 60 games he played in last season. Last year, he had a batting average of .254 with 14 home runs, 45 RBIs (runs batted in) and 39 runs scored. He had 12 stolen bases, finished with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .325 and an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of .860. He was initially set to be out for a few weeks with a lower back strain, but, on July 21, after a CT (Computerized Tomography) scan, it was revealed that he had a stress fracture in his lower back and was forced to shut down his 2022 season.

In his first full season in 2021, Chisholm finished with a slash line of .248/.303/.425, with a decent 42 percent hard-hit and nine percent barrel rate.

The Marlins finished with a 69-93 win/loss record in 2022 – 32 games behind the National League East winning Atlanta Braves. It was the Marlins’ 12th losing season in the last 13 years. The only time they finished over .500 during that span was the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020 when they advanced to the postseason for the first time in 17 years.

The 25-year-old is also the cover athlete for popular video game “MLB The Show 23”.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jazz-ranks-60th-in-espns-top-100-mlb-player-rankings/

 Home|Sports|Hornets shut out Avengers in BFFL actionSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailMarch 28, 2023 93 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The new kids on the block in flag football, the Dolphin Express Hornets, did not let the rain stop them as they shut out the defending champions, the Caro Contractors Avengers, in the Bahamas Flag Football League (BFFL) action on Sunday at the multipurpose fields outside the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. It was a five-game slate afternoon for the BFFL.

The Hornets stung the Avengers, 14-0, to put the rest of the league on notice that they will not be a pushover this season.

“I feel it was something in the making. We built a team that can beat any team in the league. It is not a surprise but it feels good,” said winning quarterback Elrith Smith.

The win moves them to an even 1-1 win/loss record on the season. The Avengers sport a winless 0-2 record to start the season. Their title defense is off to a rocky start.

There was not a lot of scoring in the other men’s game of the day as some tough defense was on display. In the end, Oasis Bahamas Team Red Dot won 3-0 over the EDLC Lions. Team Red Dot had to settle for a field goal after attempting to score a touchdown three times. They got in field goal range on a 20-yard pass, setting themselves up for the game-winning score.

It was Team Red Dot’s first game of the season. The Lions dropped to 1-1.

There were three ladies’ games on Sunday with one of those games pitting the defending champions Paradise Games Wildcats against the Bamboo Shack Jaguars. In the end, the Wildcats annihilated the Jaguars, 40-0. They improved to 2-0 while the Jaguars are still on the hunt for their first win of the season with a 0-2 record.

“We set out to have a better showing than we did in the first week. We are aware we were playing one of the growing teams, the Jaguars, but we wanted to make sure we executed our game plan overall,” said Wildcats head coach Devaughn Edgecombe.

The Wildcats’ Ashante Strachan finished the game with a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

The other women’s games were a bit competitive. The Sands Passing Fruit Hawks took down the Spectrum Assassins, 14-6, to improve to 2-0. The Assassins dropped to 0-2.

“I feel we as a team were still getting in the groove in the first game. Today, we got it together, not all together, but we were playing as a unit,” said Hawks wide receiver and safety Sheldeen Davis. “There is still one or two plays we are working on but, altogether, we played as a unit.” 

In the final women’s game of the day, the Fidelity/Money Maxx Phoenix Fire took down the Lady Avengers, 14-6. It was the first win for the Phoenix Fire and they now sport an identical record as the Lady Avengers, both 1-1 on the season.

https://thenassauguardian.com/hornets-shut-out-avengers-in-bffl-action/

As of Thursday, March 23, 2023

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SHOWN, from left to right, are Nassau Gymnastics’ Daelyn Jones, Anai Ingraham, Peyton Pickstock and Mikelle Cartwright on their return home as medallists after competing in the Florida Crown.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#NASSAU Gymnastics seeks financial support and equipment for young gymnasts after their Gasparilla Classics and Florida Crown performances.

#With gymnasts practicing every evening at the Nassau Gymnastics facility in the Oakes Field Shopping Center, team coaches and parents are advocating for more funding for the sport in the country.

#At the Gasparilla Classics, the young gymnasts shined in the competition. Kayla Culmer came 12th all around in her age group. With all possible scores being out of 10, Culmer notched 8.90 in the 6th vault, 7.10 in the 12 bars, 8.325 in the 10th beam, and 9.60 in the 5th floor.

#She was joined by A’Niyah Williams who placed 8th all around. In the 5th vault, she notched 8.95, 9.25 in the 6th bars, 8.40 in the 8th beam, and 9.125 in the 11th floor.

#Despite the young ladies shining at the Gasparilla Classics, Samantha Cartwright, a parent of one of the gymnasts, talked about how the Nassau Gymnastics programme needs to be improved.

#Cartwright said persons that wish to donate can do so towards equipment which is very costly and includes beam equipment, bar equipment, springboards and gym upkeep so that the young gymnasts can have the equipment necessary to ensure that they represent The Bahamas in the way that they should.

#She added that despite the gymnasts using old equipment, she is still proud of them for performing well and making The Bahamas look good.

#Head coach Trevor Ramsey talked about the need for a better gym facility for the gymnasts.

#“The facilities here on the island are very much below par. Florida is one of the strongest gymnastic regions and most of the kids we compete with come from state-of-the-art gym facilities and they are all over Florida,” Ramsey said.

#Ramsey added that although the kids from Florida have better equipment and facilities, the Bahamian gymnasts are still able to go to Florida and be on par with them but, if they had better facilities, things would be better.

#While at the Florida Crown Gymnastics competition, the Bahamian gymnasts performed well once again.

#Mikala Cartwright placed 2nd all around in the competition. In the 2nd Vault 9.35, 5th Bars 9.00, 1st Beam champion 9.60, and 5th floor 9.625.

#Tiana Nixon placed 6th all around. In the 8th vault 8.925, 8.725 in 8th bars, 9.275 in the 4th beam, and 9.575 7th floor.

#Additionally, Taylor Robinson placed 5th all around.

#Team coach Rashad Cunningham talked about how important it is for gymnasts to have exposure in the country. “One of the biggest competitions I would have done would have been the junior Olympic festival which was held in Mexico and I am the first Bahamian male that was born here that made it that far and while being there no one knew,” Cunningham said.

#Cunningham added that sports in the country is focused on track, swimming, basketball, and baseball which makes gymnastics the forgotten sport a lot of times but if we wanted the Shaunae Millers and Steven Gardiners we need to have some funding to help these kids as well because gymnastics is very expensive.

#The Nassau Gymnastics gymnasts will look towards being in their next competition in the next three weeks.

#For persons that wish to donate to Nassau Gymnastics, they can reach out at 242-525-7279 or email at nassaunastics@yahoo.com

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/23/nassau-gymnastics-seeks-funding-better-facilities-/?news