As of Friday, April 28, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#DAY two of New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA) saw more primary schools cement their positions in the total team rankings going into the final day of the meet.

#The defending champions Cleveland Eneas Primary sits atop the rankings with a total of 103 to lead all schools. The second-place position belongs to Uriah McPhee who collected 90 team points after two days of track and field competition.

#Sadie Curtis sits five points behind second place with 85. Garvin Tynes Primary will look to enter the fold today, trailing a mere one point behind Sadie Curtis.

#Mariska Thompson, head coach of the defending champions, talked about how it felt to be in the driver’s seat going into the final day of the three-day meet.

#“To be honest that’s really not my focus, my focus really is keeping my children on task and on target, and whatever is the result is the result,” she said.

#Thompson added that she is not worried about too much as the team has prepared since November and trained very hard so may the best team win.

#Day two featured some finals action on the track and field as teams looked to earn big points leading into the final day.

#For the A division girls 800 metre run, Ariel Thompson came first for Garvin Tynes with a time of 2:42.79. She was joined by second place finisher Brittania Rigby of Cleveland Eneas who did 2:46.22. Gerald Cash’s Imani Collie clocked 2:47.48 for third place.

#In the same event for the boys, Rhamelo Bethel emerged victorious for Sadie Curtis with 2:35.94. Claridge Primary’s Patereco Sherman followed behind with 2:41.81. Ayden Rolle of Carlton Francis secured first place after notching 2:42.91 in the race.

#Garvin Tynes’ Melody Thompson claimed first place in the girls C division 800m run. Second place belonged to Dutchess Williams of Sadie Curtis who finished with 3:24.89. Third place finisher was Carlton Francis’ Daska Sylvai with 3:33.84.

#For the boys, Palmdale Primary’s Siddon Sawyer took home first place with 3:01.72. Cleveland Eneas’ Kaydin Thompson finished closely behind with 3:01.95. Daniel Ramsay of Eva Hilton joined both for third place in the race.

#The final track event of the day were 4x100m relay finals for the A division girls and boys. The girls relay team of Cleveland Eneas took home first place honors with 1:00.80. Eva Hilton clocked 1:01.54 to secure second position. Third place belonged to the Yellow Elder girls’ relay team who clocked 1:02.83 in the race.

#In boys relay action, Garvin Tynes came in first with a time of 55.74. Uriah McPhee followed behind with 56.60 for second. Third place was claimed by Palmdale Primary as they ran a time of 57.04 in the race.

#Day two featured the long jump, high jump, shot put, and S Ball Throw field event finals.

#For the A division girls long jump, Carlton Francis’ Jade Malcolm was victorious after a jump of 3.42m. She was followed by Samaya Taylor of Palmdale Primary with 3.33m. Claridge Primary’s Kelsea Jean-Louis placed third with 3.30m.

#The C Division boys long jump saw Palmdale’s Siddon Sawyer win after a leap of 3.13m. Uriah McPhee’s Donald Rolle placed second with 2.85m and Ridgeland’s Percival Knowles came third with 2.82m.

#Dutchess Williams got the win in the same event for the girls with 2.97m. Uriah McPhee’s Monica Curtis came in second with 2.65m and third place was secured by Charity Marshall of Cleveland Eneas.

#The B division boys high jump was dominated by Leon Bain of Albury Sayle. Second place finish was Cleveland Eneas’ Deon Fowler and third place belonged to Rashad Francois from Gerald Cash.

#Zamira Swann threw a distance of 6.22m for first place finish in the A division girls shot put. C W Sawyer’s Christia Thompson threw 6.12m for second place. Simiyah Rolle of Gerald Cash came in third.

#For the boys, C W Sawyer’s Leon McPhee brought home a win for the respective school with a throw of 10.16m. Tavardo Brown of Sadie Curtis claimed second and Aaron Collie of Gerald Cash was awarded third place in the finals.

#For the S Ball Throw event, Sadie Curtis’ J’Lynn Bain and Josiah Fitterman took home the wins in the girls and boys B and C divisions. For the girls B division, Uriah McPhee’s Diamond Strachan wrapped up in first.

#Day three of the NPPPSSA will commence today at 10am for a finals-filled day

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/28/cleveland-eneas-primary-takes-lead-final-day/?news

 Home|Sports|A ‘Ray’ of hope diminishesSports

Bahamian boxing legend passes away at age 58

Sheldon LongleySend an emailApril 28, 2023 575 7 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

One of The Bahamas’ greatest boxers ever, a sports icon, and a legend inside and out of the ring, has passed.

Ray Minus Jr. had a boxing career that would make most sportsmen marvel, and be in awe of, as his list of accomplishments puts him in another stratosphere in Bahamian sports history – one that has only been matched or surpassed by Everette ‘Elisha Obed’ Ferguson. Many, including this sports writer, would regard Minus as The Bahamas’ second greatest boxer ever behind Obed, but when you add in his accomplishments outside of the ring, including a coaching and training career that spanned more than 20 years, the legacy of Ray Minus Jr. is incomparable.

Minus, 58, died at 9:25 a.m. at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on Thursday, succumbing to the rare and incurable neurological disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which is named after the American professional baseball player who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) and was diagnosed with the same disease in 1939 before passing away in 1941. ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control. Minus was officially diagnosed with ALS in October 2022.

 As for the man himself, inside the ring, he enjoyed a professional career that spanned 19 years, from 1982 to 2001, winning numerous titles along the way. Minus fought as a bantamweight (118 pounds), super bantamweight (122 pounds), featherweight (126 pounds), super featherweight (130 pounds), lightweight (135 pounds) and light welterweight (140 pounds), during his illustrious 19-year professional career.

“I will always be a daddy’s girl – when you saw him, you saw me,” said daughter Rayshell Minus-Rolle. “He was a great man, respectful, caring, loving and he cared for anyone and everyone. When it came to the boxers and Bahamians at large, and the world at large, he was there. He made himself available. He fought a good fight and we all love him, but Jesus loves him best. I love him and he will be missed.”

Minus was a former Bahamian featherweight, lightweight and light welterweight champion, a Commonwealth Boxing Council’s (CBC) bantamweight champion, a World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Continental of Americas bantamweight champion and a World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion. He also fought for a legitimate world title three times and is the only Bahamian to do so.

Following his competitive career, Minus served as a boxing consultant in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and as an instructor at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex National Boxing Center. He was inducted into The Bahamas’ National Sports Hall of Fame in November of last year.

The Bahamian boxing legend ended his professional career with a win/loss/draw/no contest record of 37-9-1-1 with 27 knockouts (KOs) in 48 pro fights.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said the country has lost a great boxer and statesman, the sad news of which has rocked the sports world.

“He was passionate about paving the way for our future fighters and worked tirelessly imparting his knowledge and creating opportunities for so many,” said the minister in a statement. “Minus taught youngsters from our inner city communities and inspired new generations of athletes to train, to focus and to dream of the many possibilities in the sport of boxing. Minus served dutifully as an employee of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for nearly a decade, only recently retiring.

“The Bahamas has lost a boxing icon and a mentor in the sport of boxing. As a country, we cannot repay Minus for his immeasurable contributions made in the sport of boxing.

“On behalf of the Government of The Bahamas, the nation, and members of staff at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, I extend prayerful condolences to the family and friends of Ray Minus Jr. My deepest sympathies are also extended to the local and international boxing communities. May God strengthen you all during this time of bereavement.”

Boxing Federation of The Bahamas’ President Vincent Strachan called Minus a great warrior and a great champion.

“Ray fought the great fight. He finished his course – hence what is laid up for him is a crown in glory,” said Strachan. “He gave selflessly of himself to the development of boxing at all levels in the world. He is greatly missed and will be very difficult to replace. My heartfelt condolences goes out to his family. On behalf of my family and the Boxing Federation of The Bahamas, I pray that Almighty God will strengthen his family and give comfort and peace in their time of bereavement. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory.”

Some of Minus’ fiercest local battles were against Quincy ‘Thrill-A-Minute’ Pratt – a fierce adversary he defeated all three times they faced each other. Internationally, he has fought and has won fights all over the world. Minus won and then successfully defended his Commonwealth title five times, and won and then successfully defended his WBC Continental of Americas title. In his three world title bouts, he lost his WBC World Bantamweight fight to Colombian Miguel ‘Happy’ Lora at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida, in 1987, he dropped the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) World Bantamweight title fight to Venezuelan Israel Contreras inside the Crystal Palace Ballroom in Nassau, The Bahamas, in 1990, and lost in his International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) World Bantamweight title opportunity to American Orlando Cañizales at the Civic Center Arena in Laredo, Texas, USA, in 1991.

He got his first professional victory, in his first pro fight, against Mexican Angel Torres in Nassau, in 1982, and ended his professional career with a technical knockout (TKO) loss to American Leavander Johnson for a vacant WBC Continental of Americas lightweight title at the Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2001. In between, Minus was a fierce and strategical pugilist who was known for exceptional defense in the ring, speed, foot movements, dancing and timely connections and combinations. In fact, in an interview just two years ago with The Ring Magazine, former WBC Bantamweight Champion Miguel ‘Happy’ Lora, now 62, had nothing but high praise of Minus.

“That guy was tough to hit. I won that fight by unanimous decision, but that was one of my tougher fights. He made me work for everything I got. His defense was very impressive. To get in on him was difficult,” said Lora.

He continued: “His hand speed was superb. He was a fast guy all around. Sometimes fighters couldn’t find me, but Minus was able to tag me a couple of times because of his hand speed. A couple of times I had to watch out for his jab and he threw good combinations and the speed they came at really caused me trouble.

“Also, I really admired his footwork. He made me try to cut off the ring because his footwork was so quick and so good.”

That brief synopsis is from a former world champion – a testament to the quality of fighter Minus was in the ring.

He was a legend outside of the ring as well though, assisting in taking hundreds of young men off the streets of New Providence and turning them into boxing champions. Any young boxer of note in the late nineties, early 2000s and into the 2010s came up under Ray Minus Jr. and his Champion Amateur Boxing Club (CABC). The club served the boxing community as an outlet for talented young men for more than 20 years, initially operating from the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex National Boxing Center and later from the location it shared with First Class Promotions on Wulff Road opposite Whim Automotive Ltd.

In one of his last interviews, with ZNS Sportscaster Charles Fisher, Minus said that boxing will always be his love and among the aspects he misses the most are training and teaching young talented fighters about general boxing skills and life itself.

At one point, Minus had seven regional boxing champions under his wing – Jermaine ‘Choo Choo’ Mackey with four titles, Meacher ‘Major Pain’ Major with two titles and Elkeana ‘The Punisher’ Saunders with the other. Former and current Bahamian boxing stars such as Jerry ‘Big Daddy’ Butler, Tureano ‘Reno’ Johnson, Carl Hield, Alpachino Allen, Anthony ‘Cougass’ Major, Shimon Bain, Ivan Major, Keishno Major, Valentino Knowles and Lennox Boyce just to name a few, all came up under Minus.

“Ray had one of the largest stables in terms of young up-and-coming boxers. He produced numerous top boxers who went on to be international champions. Without fear of contradiction, I could say that he was one of the best coaches we have had in this country in boxing in the last few decades. He was true to what he did,” said Ray’s ex-wife Michelle Munnings who was there through many of her ex-husband’s boxing journeys. “Ray lived, slept and drank boxing. The whole Bahamas is grieving today and there will never be another. He is like Angelo Dundee (legendary American boxing trainer) – he will go down as one of the most elite coaches in this country’s history and he enjoyed what he did. Never once did he look for pay or accolades – he just loved it and lived it.”

Minus was admitted to the hospital about two weeks ago suffering from shortness of breath and breathing complications. He was on a ventilator, had a feeding tube installed and was also diagnosed with pneumonia. Minus was scheduled for surgery Thursday morning, but never made it into the surgical theater as his blood count was too low. He succumbed at 9:25 Thursday morning.

“Ray was loved all over the world and it shows by the number of calls we have received from people from all over the world,” said Munnings. “When we went to the Commonwealth Games in England in 2002, and we did the walk-through, the Queen asked ‘where is Ray Minus?’. She said she wanted to have lunch with Ray, and later, Ray was having lunch with her, sitting just eight seats down from the Queen. He was a legend. Everyone respected him because every time he came to fight, he was in shape and he brought his best.

“When he fought Israel Contreras, his jaw was broken from round two and he went straight up to nine rounds before Dr. Rashad made the call to stop the fight. That was at Crystal Palace. When he fought Miguel ‘Happy’ Lora at the Miami Beach Convention Center in 1987, there were more Bahamians in attendance than foreigners. The Bahamas took over the stadium that night. Everywhere you looked, you saw a Bahamian flag. It was just phenomenal and prestigious,” added Munnings.

Ray Minus Jr. is survived by his daughter Rayshell Minus-Rolle, father Ray Minus Sr., mother Alice Minus, a number of siblings including former Bahamian heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Reynaldo Minus and former boxer Kenny ‘Lightning’ Minus, son-in-law Terez Rolle, and grandchildren Terell and Teray Rolle.

Ray’s ex-wife Munnings has been a staple of support as well, organizing the all-female professional boxing show that was held at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs National Gymnasium last month from which proceeds went in aid of Minus’ health and medical expenses. Hundreds of current and former boxers, members of the boxing and sporting community, and Bahamians in general, came out in support of Minus that night. Munnings is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of First Class Promotions, the boxing entity that shared an outlet with Ray Minus’ Champion Amateur Boxing Club (CABC) on Wulff Road.

The late L. Garth Wright, a former Bahamian boxing legend, was Ray Minus’ uncle and so is Sidney ‘Bobby Baylor’ Fernander, a softball legend in the country.

The Bahamian sports legend will certainly be missed.

https://thenassauguardian.com/a-ray-of-hope-diminishes/

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 Home|Sports|Team Bahamas endured tough competition in CuraçaoSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailApril 28, 2023 384 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Bahamas’ Under-20 (U20) Women’s National Soccer Team recently participated in the CONCACAF Championship Qualifiers, hosted in Curaçao, facing formidable opponents from Panama, the host nation Curaçao and St. Maarten. They displayed a spirited effort, but was unable to secure a win in the competition, emphasizing both the challenges and opportunities for growth ahead.

In their opening match on Sunday April 16, the team took on Panama. The experienced Panamanian side delivered a dominant performance, resulting in a 13-0 victory over The Bahamas. This match showcased the difference in experience between the two teams and demonstrated the level of competition the Bahamian team needs to reach.

The second match took place on Tuesday April 18, with the Bahamian team facing Curaçao. Despite demonstrating determination and resilience, the team was unable to overcome a skillful Curaçao side, ultimately succumbing to a 7-0 defeat.

In their final match on Thursday April 20, The Bahamas competed against St. Maarten. The team put forth a commendable effort, scoring their first goal of the tournament. However, St. Maarten emerged victorious with a 3-1 win.

“Our young athletes gave their all on the field, and despite the results, we saw significant growth and development in their skills and teamwork. We’ll take the lessons learned from this experience and use them to build a stronger team for future competitions,” said Coach Phylicia Sargent.

Despite facing tough opposition in the CONCACAF U20 Women’s Championship Qualifiers, The Bahamas’ young athletes demonstrated resilience and determination throughout each match. Although the results may not have gone their way, the team’s performance revealed a promising trajectory of progress and development. As they navigate the challenges of high-level competition, the players gained invaluable experience and a deeper understanding of the game.

https://thenassauguardian.com/team-bahamas-endured-tough-competition-in-curacao/

 Home|Sports|Turnquest wins nine-ball singles at West Coast ChallengeSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMay 1, 2023 409 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

At 16, Dakarai Turnquest continues to make inroads in the game of pool never achieved before in The Bahamas, or among Bahamians.

The young pool shark from Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, won the nine-ball singles at the 2023 West Coast Challenge Florida Pool Tournament in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend, and was third in eight-ball singles, solidifying himself as a threat to top pool shooters locally, from around the region and indeed from around the world.

Turnquest becomes the latest Bahamian to win the nine-ball singles at the West Coast Challenge Florida Pool Tournament, and at just 16, is the youngest person to ever do so. The tournament sanctioned by the Valley National Eight-Ball Association (VNEA), and Turnquest has qualified for the VNEA Junior World Championships and the VNEA Senior World Championships, both later this summer.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Turnquest in an interview from Orlando on Sunday. “First and foremost, I just want to say thanks to all my family and friends who have been supporting me from day one – my mom and dad and my siblings, and all of my extended family. Thanks to all of my friends from NGM Major High in Long Island and also a special thanks to Ellis and Ingrid Major from Long Island. They own a pool club in Long Island and none of this could be possible without them. They sponsor me to come to these tournaments and I cannot thank them enough.”

Ellis and Ingrid Major are the proprietors of the Lloyd’s Sporting Lounge and Entertainment Center in Deans, Long Island, and are avid supporters and contributors of the game of pool on that island, and in The Bahamas. Young Turnquest doesn’t own a pool table at home and he said it’s a tough task balancing his school work and practicing for major tournaments. He usually frequents Lloyd’s Sporting Lounge about once per week to work on his game.

“It takes a lot of determination, focus and hard work to play pool at a very high level, and there are a lot of people who are very supportive of me and I must thank them for that,” said Turnquest. “The game of pool is very common in The Bahamas, but at the same time, we as pool shooters don’t get the recognition from the government that we need to advance even more in the sport. Coming from a small nation like The Bahamas, if we come to tournaments like the West Coast Challenge and do as well as we are doing, we should be able to get the recognition and financial support that other people who represent The Bahamas in sports, and other cultural aspects, get.”

The five-day pool tournament, featuring some of the best pool shooters in the United States, particularly in the state of Florida, wrapped up on Sunday at the Wyndham Orlando Resort in Orlando. This is Turnquest’s third time participating at the West Coast Challenge Tournament. In 2021, he competed in the ‘B’ division and came 13th. In 2022, Turnquest competed in the ‘A’ division and came fourth.

He has also played in the US Open Pool Championships, the world junior championships and the BCA (Billiard Congress of America) Pool League World Championships.

Turnquest won seven matches on Friday to get to the final, including beating Angel Martinez, 5-1, Mike Bottoms, 5-3, and Connor McFadyen, 5-4. On Saturday, Turnquest played in the final and defeated Jason Richko, 5-3.

There were other Bahamians who took part in the tournament as well. Brian Gibson, also from Long Island, finished second in the eight-ball singles. That division was won by McFadyen who appears to be a new rival for the young Bahamian.

“There is always rivalries in sports, and way I look at it, it helps the players to sharpen their iron. Players in rivalries always push each other to get better, and I always try to take in as much experience as I could get from playing some of the top pool shooters,” said Turnquest.

Apart from Turnquest and Gibson, there were other Bahamians who took part in the tournament. Eugene Wallace was fifth in the eight-ball singles, Dario Woodside came sixth in the eight-ball singles, and the team of Turnquest, Gibson, Woodside, Harrison Knowles and Alex Burnside, known as the Lloyd’s Sharp Shooters, finished third in the eight-ball team competition.

Turnquest said he emulates his game after former world champion Shane Van Boening of the United States. He was able to meet Van Boening at the SVB (Shane Van Boening) Junior Open segment of the US Open Pool Championships last year. Turnquest advanced to the quarterfinals of that tournament and later finished fourth at the 32nd Annual VNEA World Junior Championships in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Turnquest said he hopes to play in more international tournaments in the not too distant future, constantly looking to improve and reach the pinnacle in the game of billiards in the world. He is the youngest pool master in the country and is regarded as one of the top pool shooters in the country.

Turnquest said he is passionate about the sport and looks to continue to excel.

https://thenassauguardian.com/turnquest-wins-nine-ball-singles-at-west-coast-challenge/

 Home|Sports|Bahamians compete at the Drake RelaysSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMay 1, 2023 254 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Not only were Bahamians in action at the Penn Relays, but the Drake Relays as well.

The 113th edition of the Drake Relays took place at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa, this past weekend.

Devynne Charlton was in action in the invitational women’s 100m hurdles. She clocked 12.71 seconds to finish fifth.

There was an American sweep in that event as Tia Jones won in 12.44 seconds, Tonea Marshall was second in 12.61 seconds and former world champion Nia Ali finished third in 12.67 seconds. World record holder Tobi Amusan, of Nigeria, edged 

Charlton for fourth, finishing in 12.69 seconds.

In the college women’s 100m, Denisha Cartwright, a junior for Minnesota State University at Mankato, qualified for the final with the second fastest time, running 11.50 seconds in the heats. She came back in the final and finished second again, this time running 11.49 seconds.

Amira Young, a senior at Minnesota State University at Moorhead, won that event in 11.31 seconds. Cartwright was second and Erin Kinney, of South Dakota, a junior, finished third in 11.51 seconds.

In the college men’s triple jump, Shyrone Kemp, a senior for Minnesota State University at Moorhead, finished fifth with a distance of 14.94m (49’ 0-1/4”).

Roman Kuleshov, of Iowa Central Community College, won that event with a leap of 15.27m (50’ 1-1/4”). Praise Aniamaka, a sophomore from Purdue, finished second with a leap of 15.23m (49’ 11-3/4”). Jonathan Wilburn, a junior from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, was third with a leap of 15.07m (49’ 5-1/2”).

Onyekachi Ukaobasi, representing Minnesota State University at Mankato, edged Kemp for fourth, finishing with a best leap of 15.04m (49’ 4-1/4”).

Competing for the North Dakota State Bison, senior Daejha Moss finished 14th in the college women’s long jump with a jump of 5.43m (17’ 9-3/4”). She was 17th in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 11.37m (37’ 3-3/4”).

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamians-compete-at-the-drake-relays/

 Home|Sports|Three Bahamian schools compete at Penn RelaysSports

SAC’s girls 4x100m team finish fifth; Cartwright, Strachan finish sixth and seventh in javelin

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMay 1, 2023 993 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

A trio of schools represented The Bahamas at this year’s Penn Relays Carnival – the oldest and largest track and field competition in the United States, hosted annually since April 21, 1895 by the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The 127th running of the four-day Penn Relays wrapped up on Saturday.

The St. Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine was the school to advance to the Championship of America (COA) final, and they did so in the High School Girls 4×100 meters (m) relay.

The team of Amari Pratt, Nya Wright, Darvinique Dean and Shayann Demeritte, in that order, clocked 46.61 seconds to finish fifth in the final, improving on the time of 46.80 seconds the same quarter ran in the heats to qualify fourth.

Hydel High, out of Jamaica, featuring world junior leader and CARIFTA Champion Alana Reid, took the gold in the final, running 44.96 seconds. Bullis School, out of Potomac, Maryland, 

finished second in the final in 45.59 seconds, and St. Jago High, out of Jamaica, won the bronze in 45.98. McDonogh School, out of Owing Mills, Maryland, held off SAC for fourth, finishing in 46.57 seconds.

The Queen’s College Comets also took part in the High School Girls 4x100m relay and won their heat in 48.32 seconds. The team of Rache Pantry, Nia Richards, K’Leigh Davis and Jamiah Nabbie, in that order, placed 17th overall out of the heats. They competed in the High School Girls 4x100m International and improved on their time, placing fourth in that relay in 47.61 seconds.

A total of 550 schools competed in the High School Girls 4x100m relay.

In the High School Boys 4x100m relay, SAC’s team of Khalon Christie, Andrew Brown, Trent Ford and Jonathan Fowler, won their heat and placed 28th overall out of the heats, in 43.15 seconds. That same team competed in the High School Boys 4x100m International and placed seventh in 42.78 seconds, improving on their time.

Queen’s College and the St. John’s College Giants also competed in the High School Boys 4x100m relay, but neither were able to finish. The Comets’ team consisted of Alexander Dean, Matthew Chandler, Zion Miller and Tairjiv Armbrister. The Giants’ team consisted of Tayshaun Robinson, Earle Johnson, Maxwell McNeil and Ismael Rolle.

A total of 572 schools competed in the High School Boys 4x100m relay.

In the High School Girls 4x400m, SAC’s team of Ezthia Maycock, Bayli Major, Antonecia Moultrie and Alexis Roberts, finished eighth in their heat and were 60th overall in 4:02.04. St. John’s team of Kennedi Knowles, Ta’mia Taylor, Shania Major and Payton Knowles, in that order, were 10th in that same heat, and 117th overall, in 4:08.56. More than 450 teams competed in the High School Girls 4x400m relay.

In the High School Boys 4x400m relay, SAC’s team of Tumani Skinner, Andrew Brown, Jonathan Fowler and Clinton Laguerre, were fourth in their heat and finished 19th overall in 3:20.80. St. John’s team of Jayden Cooper, Zion Davis, Christopher Williams-Minors and Maxwell McNeil, ran a time of 3:39.20. They were 10th in their heat and finished 387th overall.

A total of 569 schools competed in the High School Boys 4x400m relay.

In the High School Boys’ javelin competition, Queen’s College’s Kaden Cartwright was sixth with a distance of 59.01m (193’ 7”). In the high school girls version of that event, SAC’s Kamera Strachan finished seventh with a best throw of 40.13m (131’ 8”).

The Bahamas had three young athletes in the High School Girls’ Triple Jump Championship.

Lanaisha Lubin, of Queen’s College, finished ninth with a leap of 11.42m (37’ 5-3/4”). SAC’s duo of Bayli Major and Apryl Adderley settled for 11th and 16th with distances of 11.28m (37’ 0-1/4”) and 10.88m (35’ 8-1/2”), respectively.

Finally, in the High School Girls’ Shot Put Championship, Queen’s College’s Annae Mackey finished 16th overall with a heave of 8.80m (28’ 10-1/2”).

https://thenassauguardian.com/three-bahamian-schools-compete-at-penn-relays/

 Home|Sports|Brogdon makes collegiate equestrian zone finalsSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailMay 2, 2023 140 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian collegiate equestrian rider Carisa Brogdon is fulfilling the early promise she showed as a freshman both in and out of the riding ring for equestrian sport.

Brogdon competes with the Roger Williams University (RWU) Hawks equestrian team in Zone 1, Region 1 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). IHSA competitions take place under a horse-draw format, meaning that horses and riders are randomly matched. This format tests the horsemanship skills of the riders who must navigate jump courses and under saddle equitation tests on strange horses.

Under the guidance of Coach Nikki Speranzo, Brogdon’s performances throughout the show season, which included multiple first and second place finishes, helped her team earn a spot to Region 1 postseason competition. At the regionals, Brogdon placed third in the Limit Over Fences and second in the Limit Flat Divisions, becoming the only member of her team to advance to the IHSA Zone 1 Finals.

The Zone Finals took place at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Brogdon rode well enough to finish in the ribbons, earning a ninth place finish in the Limit Flat Class, but failed to advance to the national finals.

Now a junior, Brogdon is making her presence felt on the RWU campus. She has been named the captain of the varsity team, she is the president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and holds a lead ambassador position in the university admissions office. Brogdon is pursuing a double major in marketing and business analytics with a minor in graphic design. She credits equestrian sport with helping her to maintain a balanced and disciplined approach to university life.

https://thenassauguardian.com/brogdon-makes-collegiate-equestrian-zone-finals/

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 Home|Sports|Charlton will be the only Bahamian on the track in DohaSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMay 2, 2023 174 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

It’s May, meaning World Athletics Diamond League competition is about to get underway for elite track and field athletes.

The first meet of the 2023 Wanda Diamond League season, the Seashore Group Doha Meeting, is set for this Friday at the Khalifa International Stadium, in Doha, Qatar.

The 14-event calendar has stops all over the world, starting with this Friday’s meeting in the Qatari capital. The schedule is noticeably different this year with the Diamond League Final coming to this side of the world for the first time ever. It will be held at historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, USA – the site of last year’s world championships.

The Bahamas’ national record holder in the women’s 100 meters (m) hurdles will be the only Bahamian in action in the Diamond League opener this Friday. Devynne Charlton will compete alongside a stacked field, taking on some of the world’s best hurdlers.

Charlton, who had her best race at the Eugene World Championships, setting the national record at 12.46 seconds, will run against Olympic Champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, of Puerto Rico, who just ran a wind-aided 12.29 seconds this past weekend.

Also in the lineup is former world champion Nia Ali of the United States, her fellow Americans Alaysha Johnson and Tonea Marshall and Jamaican Megan Tapper who has had some fierce battles with Charlton over the years. They are just some of the top athletic stars who will be competing in Doha this Friday.

For the world’s best track and field athletes, Doha will be just the starting point of a season-long campaign in athletics’ premier one-day meets.

In a journey spanning four continents and 14 cities, athletes compete for points, all gearing up for qualification for the Diamond League Final, the Prefontaine Classic, 

September 16-17, in 

Eugene.

Out of the 13 qualifying meets between May and September, a total of 10 will be held in Europe. A couple are in Asia and the other one is in northern Africa. For the Diamond League Final, many athletes will return to the stadium in which they won medals, or qualified for the finals, at the 2022 world championships. All 32 Wanda Diamond League champions will be crowned at Hayward Field in two days of non-stop action across every single discipline.

https://thenassauguardian.com/charlton-will-be-the-only-bahamian-on-the-track-in-doha/

 Home|Sports|Triple gold for GibsonSports

Charlton, Andrews also pick up victories in collegiate track and field

Sheldon LongleySend an emailMay 2, 2023 73 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Once again, Bahamian collegiate track and field athletes turned in some exceptional results this past weekend, continuing a trend that has already seen a couple of stunning national records as well as school records and personal best performances.

After a stellar career at Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gabrielle Gibson has moved on to finish her collegiate eligibility for the University of Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kansas.

The talented Bahamian was in action in three events this past weekend and won all three.

Gibson, a redshirt senior, competed in the women’s 100m, the 100m hurdles and the women’s 4x400m relay at the Rock Chalk Classic at Rock Chalk Park in Lawrence, Kansas.

In the 100m, Gibson came out victorious in 11.42 seconds. She went on to win the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.22 seconds and teamed up with Grace Cramblett, Aaliyah Moore and Honour Finley, to win the women’s 4x400m relay in 3:40.90.

Gibson has been having a fantastic season. Just last week, she ran a stunning personal best of 13.07 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles at the John McDonnell Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, becoming the sixth-fastest Bahamian woman all-time in that event, and giving The Bahamas four athletes this season under 13.10 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles.

Wendira Moss also competed at the Rock Chalk Classic, taking part in the women’s 400m for the University of Northern Colorado Bears. The collegiate junior finished third in 54.56 seconds.

Over at the Jim Green Track & Field Invitational at the University of Kentucky Outdoor Track and Field Complex in Lexington, Kentucky, Anthaya Charlton was in action in the women’s short sprints. Representing the Kentucky Wildcats, Charlton, a freshman, won the 100 meters (m) title in 11.27 seconds after running 11.32 seconds in the heats. In the 200m, Charlton finished sixth in the final in 23.97 seconds.

Megan Moss, a junior at Kentucky, took part in the 200-400 double. She was second in the 400m in 53.34 seconds and ended up seventh in the 200m, one spot behind Charlton, in 23.98 seconds.

Antoine Andrews, a freshman at Texas Tech University, was first in the men’s 110m hurdles at the Texas Tech Corky/Crofoot Shootout at the Terry and Linda Fuller Track and Field Complex in Lubbock, Texas. Andrews won that event in a wind-aided 13.46 seconds.

Shaun Miller Jr. competed in the men’s high jump at the 127th Penn Relays Carnival at the University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Miller had a best clearance of 2.18m (7’ 2”) to finish second, matching the height of the winner, but falling to second based on his second-attempt clearance at the winning height. The winner, Romaine Beckford, a junior at South Florida, cleared 2.18m on his first attempt.

Bahamian athletes will be in action again this weekend as the collegiate track and field season continues.

https://thenassauguardian.com/triple-gold-for-gibson/

Charles Johnson with the Bahamian flag and his medal.

As of Saturday, April 22, 2023

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Charles Johnson braving the weather on the run.

Charles Johnson all warmed up.

#By BRENT STUBSS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#MOST long distance runners are content with running and completing a few marathons. For Charles Johnson, his quest is to go where no other Bahamian has gone before and that is to participate in the seven continents series of marathons.

#On March 24, Johnson participated in his fourth marathon in his personal quest when he did the Antarctic Ice marathon, adding to his competition of marathons in North America, Asia and Europe. On his return home, Johnson said he’s now preparing for his next continent – Africa, where he intends to run a marathon in Cape Town on October 15th, followed by Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Australia in 2024.

#“Last year in April, I completed my sixth star, which makes me a worldwide marathon runner,” said Johnson, who is one of the few Bahamians to have earned such an elite feat of runners. “The next big thing is to run the seven continents, which I am now in pursuit of.”

#Looking back at the Antarctica marathon, Johnson said it was limited to about 75 persons because of the restrictions competing in the chilly and icy conditions. He was the only Bahamian to get into the world marathon tours for 2023 that enabled him to compete in Antarctica. The other was Barbara Symonette, who did it in 2022.

#“To get into Antarctica, I had to fly into Buenos Aires and all of the runners had to catch a chartered flight into the last province in Argentina where they boarded a ship to King George Island in Antarctica where the run took place,” he said.

#“When we arrived, the winds were up to about 50 miles per hour. We had to delay landing on the island to get started,” he recalled. “Eventually we got on the island and the day that we ran, the temperature was minus five Fahrenheit. It had winds up to 30 miles per hour.”

#As for the course, Johnson said it was difficult because it was raining and they had to traverse up and down a series of hills. With no roads built, they had to manoeuvre through the pathway mapped out on a four mile course, two miles in and two miles out.

#“The hills started from zero level and it rose up to 4,000 feet, so you had to run two miles in a consistently rolling hill up to 4,000 feet and then you return to zero,” he pointed out. “You had to do that six times to complete the 26.2 miles course.

Charles Johnson embracing the chilly weather.

#“It became extremely challenging for a lot of people. Some people had to reduce their distance to the half marathon and some were unable to finish up to the half marathon. But quite a number of people, including myself, completed the race.”

#Although there was a time limit of about six hours and 30 seconds to complete the race, those who didn’t got a medal for just participating. Johnson, however, said if you didn’t complete the first half of the race in one hour and 30 seconds, they pulled you out of the event.

#With an average time of four hours and 15 minutes to run a marathon, Johnson said he knew he had a chance to survive on the gruelling course – where he had to run in a controlled fashion just to complete the race and not cross the pathway of the wild animals like penguins which are given the right of way to cross.

#While he completed the marathon in just over six hours, Johnson said his official time was not as important as it was finishing the race because of the adverse conditions that they had to complete in. Additionally, Marathon Tours only officially recognises the times of the first male and female finishers.

#In what he considered to be the most challenging race he’s ever done, Johnson remembered how they were restricted to taking just their water bottles and they were advised that they could not urinate or spit while on the course.

#“I was able to complete the race. Once that was done, all of the runners returned to the ship and the process of getting on the land was just as amazing as the run itself,” he said. “It was so cold, you had to wear a waterproof suit and once you got there you had to strip down to your running clothes.

#“The technique of running in that type of environment was also unique. I knew I had to literally run in two layers of clothing and I had to cover my neck and head. Fortunately, it was cold, but it didn’t affect my running. There was one spot that was so mucky, I think I went into about six or seven inches of mud and left a shoe behind. I had to return and push my foot back in just to get it out.

#“It was a wonderful challenge and you had to really be physically fit to overcome the challenge,” Johnson said.

#During the course of his marathon career, Johnson has now ran about 42 international marathons, including all of the major events in the United States, including Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago, along with Tokyo, which has earned his six stars to be classified as a world class marathoner.

#The only Bahamian who has ran in more marathons than Johnson is Shavonne Blades, who currently holds the record for completing 50 marathons. Sixty-six-year-old Johnson, a senior manager at JS Johnson, said he will continue to run marathons as long as God gives him breath and he has the funding to make the trips.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/22/marathon-runner-charles-johnson-braves-antarctic-i/?news