As of Friday, March 24, 2023

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Presenting former veteran women’s national softball team player Daisy Hanna-Walker with a t-shirt for Carifta.

Former veteran women’s national softball team player Daisy Walker-Hanson is flanked by Patrice Ferguson and Lynden Maycock as she purchased her tickets for Carifta.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#TICKETS and merchandise sales for the Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA Games are going quite well, according to director of sales Patrice Ferguson.

#On Wednesday at the Cultural Village, Ferguson and Lynden Maycock, the chief executive officer of the Local Organising Committee, welcomed a special guest as former veteran women’s national softball team player Daisy Walker-Hanson showed up to purchase her tickets and merchandise for the games, scheduled for April 8-10 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

#“I love to patronise our country. When I was in sports, I know a lot of people came out and supported us when we were playing,” Walker-Hanson said. “So I want to contribute to the young people who are now carrying the mantle for our country.

#“I want to cheer for them and I want them to see my visible appearance. I hope that they are enthused about competing and winning for the country. So from Sunday, I will be out here supporting our people.”

#The former banker, who left her mark on the sport of softball as a member of the women’s team that was once ranked at number three in the world, said it’s always good when the country can host such international events, so she just wanted to make sure that she’s a part of Team Bahamas’ quest to be the best.

#“I am now trying to encourage people to get to know Jesus Christ,” Walker-Hanson said.

#“I am trying to encourage them not to make the kind of mistakes that we made and to point them in the direction of Jesus Christ.”

#Maycock said he was thrilled to have been on hand to greet and meet Walker-Hanson, whom he didn’t get to see play because he was too young.

#“I felt really good to know that a celebrity like Daisy Walker came back and patronised us and purchased her tickets for the games,” Maycock said. “I would have heard about her in my time, but to actually meet her was very humbling. “I was very appreciative that she was really down to earth and so I was speechless being in her presence. It just shows the magnitude of people who are coming out to support these games.”

#Adderley said the sales for both the tickets and the merchandise have been going very well and she anticipates that it will increase this weekend as the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and both the Ministry of Education and Youth, Sports and Culture will host the National High School Championships and final CARIFTA Trials.

#“We want to encourage Bahamians to come down and get your tickets. They are going down. The gold seats are all gone, but we will still have silver and bronze seats,” She said.

#“The bronze seats are just as good because they are on the 100m straight and the silver are just above the gold, so you still can purchase some very good tickets and at responsible prices.”

#Ferguson revealed that the three-day prices for the gold tickets are priced at $75, silver is $55 and bronze is $40. For those who only wish to secure the daily prices, they are pegged at $25 for gold, $20 for silver and $15 for bronze.

#As for the merchandise, Ferguson noted that the prices are only $20 for long sleeves and $15 for short sleeves. Designated colours for the three days of competition are black on Friday, white on Saturday, aquamarine on Sunday and gold on Monday. “Come Gold With Us” caps are also on sale in black and white for $15 each.

#“Come down get your tickets and your merchandise and come gold with us,” Adderley said.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/24/carifta-ticket-sales-going-well/?news

SHOWN, from left to right, are Shaun Fuentes, director of media/communications for Trinidad & Tobago and head coach Angus Eve.

As of Friday, March 24, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#Trinidad & Tobago, coming off their training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are looking forward to their rematch against the Bahamas at 4pm today in the Concacaf Nations League match at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

#On their arrival to The Bahamas yesterday, head coach Angus Eve spoke to the media about his expectations of his young team as they got in their last practice and to get acclimatised to the conditions here.

#“We are happy to be here in your beautiful country,” said Eve, who is making his maiden voyage here. “I’m happy that I leave with some enjoyment after the game.”

#Trinidad & Tobago nipped the Bahamas 1-0 in their first meeting on Monday, June 6, 2022 at the Hasely Crawford National Stadium.

#The Bahamas is coming off a 4-0 loss to Nicaragua on Monday, June 13, 2022, the same day that Trinidad & Tobago last played when they knocked off St Vincent and the Grenadines 4-1 in Trinidad.

#Eve said the weather conditions here are similar to what they have in Trinidad & Tobago and even in Florida where they got in their final workout sessions before coming to the Bahamas, but he said they are looking forward to an exciting game.

#“It’s going to be a little different from the last time we played,” said Eve.

#“You will see a much younger team. We are now gelling, although we are in a rebuilding stage. We lost some of the players who were on the team last year, but this is a young team, but we’re looking forward to doing very well.”

#The team will feature a 28-year-old player who has never played for Trinidad & Tobago at any international competition, but with the majority of the players averaging around 24 years old, Eve said he’s confident that they can make their presence felt.

#Against the Bahamas, Eve said he knows they will have to counteract their deep style of play. “They have two really good forwards, so we expect for them to come out and express themselves playing in front of their home crowd,” Eve said. “So we are basically prepared to make the adjustment because we know that we are playing at home.”

#After losing their first game in the Nations League, Trinidad & Tobago stormed back to win their next three and are now sitting in second place in the standings behind St Kitts & Nevis in Group F.

#The Bahamas is in fifth place, having lost three of the four matches played so far, drawing one.

#Eve said this is a must-win game for them because their goal is to qualify outright from the North America, Central American and Caribbean region for the Concacaf Gold Cup Commebol Copa America, the top men’s football tournament contested among national teams from South America.

#To the natives of Trinidad & Tobago, who are residing in the Bahamas, Eve urged them to “come out and support your team from Trinidad. It’s your team. So come out, watch us play.”

#Following this match, the Bahamas will head to St Vincent and the Grenadines to play their next match at 3pn on Monday, March 27, while Trinidad & Tobago will go home to host Nicaragua at 8pm.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/24/trinidad-ready-face-bahamas/?news

Photos: Austin Fernander

As of Sunday, March 26, 2023

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#By Tenajh Sweeting

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#St. Augustine’s College Big Red Machine leads the team rankings after day one of the combined CARIFTA Trials and National High School Championships. The Big Red Machine ended day one with a total of 210.50. The Queen’s College Comets came right behind with a total of 167.50. Third place in the rankings belonged to St John’s College with 73 points.

#Day one featured lots of exciting action on the track and field as athletes looked to make a final push to qualify for April’s 50th CARIFTA games. A number of them surpassed the CARIFTA qualifying mark on the day and broke National High School Championship records.

Carlos Brown, winner of the under 20 boys 100m finals.

#Darvinique Dean from SAC represented her school well as she blitzed past her competitors in the under 17 400 metre run. Dean not only ran a swift time of 56.58 to win the race but also broke the CARIFTA qualifying time of 56.64. Additionally, she broke the previous national high school championships record of 57.30 previously held by Wendira Moss since 2016.

#Dean said it felt excellent to come out and beat the qualifying mark and she was proud to represent the country and make a name for herself at the trials. She credited the way she ran her race as the reason for the big win.

#“I came out and ran my first 200 good and just let my body carry me around the rest of the curve and then come home strong,” she said.

#In the under 14 girls 400m action Bishop Michael Eldon’s Keyezra Thomas shone as she beat the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 57.05. Thomas clocked a lightning fast 56.28 in the race finishing long before the rest of her opponents. She also broke Megan Moss’ previous 2015 NHS record of 59.01.

#She said it was a good feeling to accomplish something she has been wanting for a long time and she was very happy to make the qualifying time.

#Jamiah Nabbie and Shayann Demeritte not only brought home first and second place in the always exciting under 17 girls 100m dash but they also qualified for the CARIFTA games. Nabbie clocked an unreal time of 11.89 blitzing past the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 12.20 and Daniesha Curry’s previous NHS record 12.38. Demeritte from the Big Red Machine notched 12.20 in the short distance race.

#Nabbie talked about how it felt to qualify for the 50th CARIFTA games.

#“I am really proud of myself, definitely willing to go faster for the CARIFTA games to push past my limits and hopefully it comes through God,” she said.

#Although Nabbie was worried about the wind in the race she added that her mindset was to keep pushing, staying on her toes, and not to run flat footed.

#The Comets’ star athlete will look to shine in the under 17 girls 200m finals on Monday.

#St John’s Ishmael Rolle joined in on the day’s CARIFTA qualifying action after clocking 10.93 with a first place finish in the under 17 boys 100m finals.

#The qualifying mark was 10.96. Rolle passed Godfrey Arthur’s 2015 NHS record of 11.09.

#In more track action Shatalya Dorsett and Amari Pratt finished first and second in the under 20 girls 100m dash. Sunland Baptist’s Dorsett notched 11.81 and she was followed by SAC’s Pratt who finished just 0.05 seconds behind with 11.86. Both ladies bested the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 11.90.

#Dorsett talked about how it felt to bring home the victory for Sunland Baptist. She said it felt good to win and to join the other Sunland Baptist athletes who were winning their races on day one.

#After qualifying for CARIFTA for a second time the Sunland Baptist athlete said it felt good to qualify again and she hopes to go out there and do what she has to do for her country.

#And Sunland Baptist had another athlete qualify for CARIFTA.

#Akaya Lightbourne, winner of the under 20 1500m run, emerged victorious and clocked a time of 5:02.93 in the long distance race. She beat the qualifying mark of 5:03.24. Additionally, she shattered Jodie Ritchie’s 2019 NHS record of 5:15.73 to bring home another first place win for Sunland Baptist.

#In a race that was finished in the blink of an eye, Carlos Brown brought home a first place win in the under 20 boys 100m dash. Brown, who has been looking to qualify for the 50th CARIFTA games all season, clocked a scorching 10.49 in day one’s evening session. In the competitive race Adam Musgrove notched 10.55 and Zion Campbell ran 10.60 which meant the top three finishers in the race qualified for April’s games. Positions first through seventh in the race all surpassed Johnathan Smith’s former NHS record of 10.84, making this the must see race of the event.

#Brown talked about how it felt to finally qualify for the country.

#“I feel really great about it coming off an injury and I just wanna thank the Lord for allowing me to finish the race injury free,” he said.

#In a tight race that only saw separation between athletes at the tail end, Brown said his mindset was to bring his knees up, keep his composure, and finish strong against his competitors.

#Although athletes seemingly left it all on the track, the young competitors brought the action to the field as well.

#In the morning session, Huntley Christie’s Tylah Pratt prevailed in the under 17 girls high jump. She jumped at a height of 1.64m passing the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 1.57m. Unattached Alexand Komolafe joined Pratt as she notched 1.57m to qualify also.

#In the under 20 girls triple jump QC’s Lanaisha Lubin and SAC’s Apryl Adderley finished first and second respectively. Lubin and Adderley both beat the CARIFTA qualifying mark with 12.51m and 11.89m. The qualifying mark was 11.88m.

#Calea Jackson threw a distance of 48.21m in the under 20 girls discus throw to qualify for CARIFTA.

#Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer talked about how he felt about day one of the CARIFTA trials and Nationals.

#“I am so happy to see we are not only having a CARIFTA trials but a fully integrated track and field competition, its given us an opportunity to have a bird’s eye view of where we are in the Family Islands – that’s special and its special for our mission to develop beyond New Providence and Grand Bahama,” Archer said.

#Despite some of the athletes being injured he said that he was impressed with day one’s performances and was grateful for the event being on time and according to schedule.

#Day two of the CARIFTA trials and high school championships evening session will start at 3pm today.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/26/carifta-trials-and-nationals-wraps-exciting-day-on/?news

Mississippi coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin applauds during the first half of the team’s Sweet 16 college basketball game against Louisville in the women’s NCAA tournament Friday, March 24, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

As of Monday, March 27, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER falling short of advancing to the Elite Eight of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women’s Basketball Championships, coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin urged the Bahamian public to be patient with her University of Mississippi Lady Rebels.

#Ole Miss made their exit in the Sweet 16 of the March Madness Tournament on Friday night as they fell victim to the Louisiana Cardinals inside the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

#The Rebels, 25-8, qualified for the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2007, having advanced past Gonzaga and an upset over top-seeded Stanford in their first two games to secure their second-consecutive fourth-place finish in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the regular season.

#But McPhee-McCuin said they were hoping to continue their trek to at least the Final Four, but Louisiana stopped them from moving on. But she noted that she was still impressed with the strides her team made along the way.

#“It’s more than I expected, but we lost about 70 percent of our scoring to the WNBA,” said McPhee-McCuin, whose top performer centre Shakira Austin skipped her junior year to earn the third overall pick in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft by the Washington Mystics in 2022.

#“So if you would have asked me at the beginning of the season would I expect for this team to be in position, I probably would have said no, but they worked extremely hard to get here and so they surpassed all of my expectations. We just have to be a little more patient. We will eventually get there.”

#Against the Cardinals, the Lady Rebels had an uphill battle after trailing 20-15 at the end of the first quarter. It was an 18-13 third quarter spurt that propelled Louisiana to a comfortable 52-42 lead that they maintained through the fourth quarter to hold off every comeback Ole Miss mounted.

#“It was great. I just think the lights got a little too bright for us,” said McPhee- McCuin. “This was our first time competing in the Sweet 16 for the first time in 16 years and Louisiana was there a lot more times. But we will be back. We have now set a standard that we have to maintain and to surpass in the future.”

#Three senior guards led by example with double figure scoring performances for Ole Miss. Marquesha Davis had 19 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Myah Taylor also had 19 points with three rebounds and Angel Baker chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds.

#Louisiana produced a more balanced attack with four players in double figures as junior guard Haley Van Lith connected on a game high 21 points with five rebounds and four assists.

#McPhee-McCuin said prior to the start of the season, she brought her entire team, including coaching staff and supporters to the Bahamas in November, for a pre-season tournament at Baha Mar, which helped them to bond together and get the ball rolling for the regular season.

#“That helped us tremendously. We played up to our level talent being away in an uncomfortable environment and I truly feel like that helped us to get to where we are,” said McPhee-McCuin, who hopes to return in November for another pre-season tournament at Atlantis this time.

#On Friday, McPhee- McCuin said she was pleased to see the support from the Bahamian public in the stands. She noted that there were more than 25 Bahamians in attendance, including members of the Bahamas Consulate and her parents Daisy and Gladstone ‘Moon’ McPhee, who assisted in her development from her initial stages as a student-athlete at Catholic High School in Grand Bahama.

#“There was a lot of pride and I am eternally grateful for it,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I know that people expected us to go on, but it just wasn’t our time. Our time will come. I just want the Bahamian people to be patient with us. We will be back.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/27/ole-miss-eliminated/?news

As of Monday, March 27, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AFTER a week of intense competition during the tournament, the Public Primary Schools Sports Association crowned Sandilands Primary as the boys and girls volleyball champions on Friday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#Stephen Dillet won 12-15, 15-14 and 10-0 over Sybil Strachan Primary for the boys’ title, while Sandilands Primary prevailed over Cleveland Eneas Primary in two straight sets, 15-8 and 15-9.

#Head coach Margaret Albury was more excited about the victory than her players from Stephen Dillet, who stayed composed throughout the tournament.

#“They showed me, even when the ball was going out, they brought it back in and they got the three hits,” Albury said. “I’m pleased with their effort. I am ecstatic about their performances. I couldn’t ask for a better performance.”

#For Greer Thompson, the coach of Sybil Strachan, they were not as focused as she wanted them to be.

#“I think they played well, but in the last half, they got their minds out of the game. They were not focused and that is what caused us the game,” Greer said. “All in all, I think they did well. Thanks to God and to my mommy.”

#Thompson was referring to Linda Thompson, who passed away a few weeks ago. She noted that she tried to stay focused because the tournament was coming up, but it was a little hard for her knowing that she was still grieving the loss of her mother.

#For the third-place prize, Centreville Primary held off Sadie Curtis 9-15, 9-15 and 10-8.

#“In the semi-finals, we got a little nervous because we had to play so hard,” said Centreville’s first year coach Rashad Cunningham. “I was so happy with the way they came out and played. Centreville is not known for its athletic prowess, so it’s good that we can take something to our school to enjoy in a more positive light.”

#Vashon Armbrister, the head coach of Sandilands Primary, said it was a dream come true for his girls because if anybody saw what they looked like at the start of practice, they would not have anticipated them being the last team standing.

#“The girls did an excellent job,” Armbrister pointed out. “We started practicing in January, but it was a struggle. The girls could not bump and they couldn’t serve. So every day possible, we worked with the girls and they gave it their best effort and this is the result of it. I’m extremely proud of the girls.”

#He said he now believes in the quote that “practice does make perfect” because their performance was above their expectations and the entire Sandilands Primary School will ensure that they come back next year bigger and better to defend their title.

#In falling short of being the champions, Mariska Thompson said her team beat themselves.

#“My top players got upset, so I told them they have to be calm, whether they are leading or not,” Thompson stated. “You must be calm and composed and believe that you can win. So it wasn’t that the other team was better, it was just that my team lost focus.”

#It was another battle in the consolation third place game, as Garvin Tynes emerged on top of EP Roberts with a hard fought 15-6, 6-15, 10-8 decision.

#Shatia Seymour, who assisted head coach Janice Williams, said their Garvin Tynes team did excellent.

#“We lost the game to come into the championship, but they came back and did what they had to do,” Seymour said. “They served, they passed and they did very well.”

#Despite not getting into the final, Seymour said they will celebrate the third place because they earned it.

#Just about all of the teams participated in the tournament that got started on Monday and Tuesday with the elimination games for the girls and Wednesday and Thursday for the boys. Friday was designed for the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals.

#The New Providence Volleyball Association and its referees association conducted all the games. Next up for the association, headed by Latoya Bain, track and field, April 26-28 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/27/volleyball-champions-crowned/?news

As of Monday, March 27, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE Commonwealth Bank Giants will advance to NPBA championship finals after defeating the Sand Dollar Imports High Flyers 96-81 on Friday night at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium.

#In a game that got off to a slow start by both teams as the first quarter wrapped up 18-14 favouring the High Flyers, the CB Giants looked to take control coming out of halftime.

#Despite the first half of the game being all Sand Dollar, the Giants took over in the third quarter, leading the game 70-61 going into the fourth.

#Perry Thompson, head coach of the CB Giants, talked about the second half surge of his team. “It was more of a personal change than a gameplan, all season we have been getting off to relatively slow starts, our bench has been huge for us all year so our second quarters are historically better,” Thompson said.

#Thompson was right as the Giants’ bench outscored the High Flyers 36 to 15.

#Dylan Musgrove led the charge for the CB Giants as he was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points to go with four rebounds and two steals on the night. Musgrove was joined by Jackson Jacob who poured in 21 points to go with five assists and two steals.

#Although Sand Dollar battled hard in the first half, the Giants were able to overcome a sluggish start. The winning team dominated the paint 58 to 42 on an efficient 62%. The High Flyers beat the Giants 20 to 19 in second chance points. However, the Giants got out and ran, leading to 35 fast break points compared to the High Flyers’ 21.

#Musgrove talked about the team’s mindset on Friday night. “It feels good to get the W [win], we did not want to play a game three tomorrow and the mindset for us was to close this one out and that’s what we did,” he said.

#The two teams split the regular season series 1-1, making them no strangers to each other.

#Jackson credited the High Flyers team and coaching staff for competing hard with them. He added that he is thankful for being able to advance to the championships once again. The High Flyers had five players that scored double digits in the game with Rus-Shorn Strachan leading the way for the team with 20 points.

#Donnie Culmer, head coach of the High Flyers, talked about how proud he is with the progress of his team despite the series loss.

#Culmer said a loss is always disappointing but he told his guys it was always a three-year process but each year his team has progressed against the Giants.

#He added that the team will require some fine tuning and tweaking but will be back next year.

#He gave credit to the Giants for being a dominant team but emphasized that the High Flyers will be back and ready next year.

#The CB Giants will look to dethrone the defending division one champions the Discount Distributors Liquors Rockets.

#The Giants and Rockets are longtime foes as the two teams faced off at last year’s championships in which the Rockets swept the Giants 3-0. The two powerhouse teams will battle it out at A.F. Adderley Gymnasium at 9pm tonight.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/27/npba-playoffs-giants-sweep-high-flyers-2-0/?news

As of Monday, March 27, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#TRINIDAD and Tobago didn’t waste any time putting their stamp of arrival on the outcome of their rematch against the Bahamas in the CONCACAF Nations League matchup at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Friday.

#Coming off their 1-0 triumph on Monday, June 6, 2022, Trinidad & Tobago came back and booted in their first goal in the first five minutes by Kareem Moses. They added another from captain Joevin Jones in the 26th minute and Ryan Telfer capped it off with another in the 34th minute to push their lead to 3-0 at the half.

#It didn’t matter because neither team scored in the second half as Trinidad & Tobago held on for a 3-0 victory.

#Bahamas head coach Nesly Jean said it was a learning experience for his youthful team.

#“The game was very good. But this is a young team. Most of the guys are just 21, 20 and some are 16, but it’s no excuse here,” Jean said. “We have to make mistakes, so this is where we learn.”

#While trying to press the Trinidadians, Jean admitted that it opened the game for their opponents to get through their defence and that made the difference in the outcome of the game.

#The Bahamas is now in St Vincent & The Grenadines where they are set to play their next game at 3pm.

#“I think the guys just need to hold their heads up,” said Nesly, in making the adjustment for today’s game after the loss at home. “We have to tweak it a little because it’s a different team. But we will be ready.”

#As the elder statesman on the team, defender Lesly St Fleur said it was a pleasure playing with the younger guys.

#“Being an older player on the team, we have to learn from each other,” St Fleur said. “We have to mix some of the veteran players with the young guys to keep the team solid. With the mix of veteran players, I think we will be a team that will be hard to beat.”

#But, in the meantime, one of the younger players on the team said they can only get better as they continue to play together.

#After the victory, Trinidad & Tobago’s coach Angus Eve said he thought his team played a very good “professional” team.

#“We are still gelling. We only brought the guys together three days in Fort Lauderdale and we had a camp and so I was very impressed with how we played today,” Eve said.

#“We linked up with each other. We should have scored more goals.

#“However, a win away from home, 3-0, is a good result.”

#Mission accomplished, was how Jones summed up their performance.

#“I think it was a great performance by the team. We came out and got the start we wanted to get and overall, we didn’t score in the second half, but we came here with the mindset to win.

#“We got three points and now we can go home and face the next team.”

#Eve said they knew once they got on the scoreboard early, they had enough firepower to hurt the young Bahamian team and it worked right into their favour.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/27/bahamas-blanked-3-0-trinidad-tobago/?news

: SAC in the lead after Day 2 of National High School Track & Field Championships

FAST TRACK: St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine’s Amari Pratt and Queen’s College Comets’ Nia Richards battle it out in the finals of the under 20 girls’ 100 metre dash. Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

As of Monday, March 27, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Day two of the combined CARIFTA Trials and National High School Championships wraps up day 2 with St. Augustine’s College in first place. The Big Red Machine leads all schools with a total of 377 points.

#The Queen’s College Comets remain in second position with 317. St. John’s College follows them both with a combined team score of 129.

#Day two of three featured fewer finals than day one as athletes looked to qualify for the finals on day three of the combined event.

#In more CARIFTA qualifying action, yesterday’s under 17 boys’ high jump was an exciting one.

#A total of five athletes beat the CARIFTA qualifying mark of 1.85m. Joshua Williams brought home the victory for Tabernacle Baptist Academy with a jump of 1.93m.

#Queen’s College Comets’ Kenny Moxey notched a jump of 1.89m. St. Georges’ Erris Pratt and Kingsway’s Kenyon Johnson both accomplished the same feat to qualify for April’s 50th CARIFTA Games. SAC’s Demian Brice also joined the fray with a jump of 1.87m to qualify for April’s event. In the under 17 girls long jump, Jamiah Nabbie was victorious. Saturday’s under 17 girls 100m CARIFTA qualifier made her mark once again but this time on the field. Nabbie jumped 5.59m, passing the qualifying mark of 5.46m while also shattering Daejha Moss’ 2014 national high school record of 5.44m.

#In yesterday’s track action, Shimar Bain blitzed the competition in the under 20 boys 400m hurdles. Bain finished with 53.25 in the race to beat the CARIFTA qualifying mark 54.43. Bain was joined by The Big Red Machine’s Clinton Laguerre who clocked 54.19 in the race.

#Bain talked about how it felt to qualify for the country’s 50th CARIFTA Games. “It feels good, it was my expectation to win and also qualify for CARIFTA, seeing that it’s my last year and its at home,” Bain said.

#Bain said despite hurdles being the hardest race in track, he went through the race with the mindset of keeping calm, clearing the hurdles, being aggressive in attacking them and walking through the line.

#Laguerre, who also qualified for CARIFTA on day two of the trials and national high school championships, talked about his strategy in the race.

#Laguerre said although he expected a faster time, he saw his opponent pass him but decided to remain focused, knowing that he had another stretch to go. He added that despite qualifying earlier in the season, he still wanted to double down to ensure that he was on the CARIFTA team.

#Laguerre will look to put on a show with his teammates in the under 20 boys 4x400m relay finals today.

#The Big Red Machine saw more of its athletes qualify for CARIFTA in the under 17 girls and boys 400m hurdles. Darvinique Dean blew past the competition as she brought home a first place victory with a time of 1:01.84. Although she already qualified for April’s event on Saturday, the athlete beat the qualifying mark of 1:09.86 in this race as well. She was joined by fellow teammate Bayli Major who also qualified with a time of 1:02.13.

#Additionally, St.John’s Ta’mia Taylor joined her competitors as she beat the qualifying mark with 1:06.69.

#For the boys, SAC’s Quinton Rolle bested the CARIFTA qualifying time of 56.31 after clocking 56.23 in the race. He was followed by St. John’s Zion Davis who came second with 56.90. Third place finish belonged to C.R. Walker’s Christian Pierre who ran a time of 59.67.

#In the girls’ 3000 metres open run, Sunland Baptist’s Akaya Lightbourne placed first with a time of 11:18.52. She bested Lunnise Gibson’s 2015 NHS record of 11:44.51.

#She was followed by St. Andrews’ Grace Farrington who placed second. Kingsway’s Tellica Seymour came in third with 12.44.23.

#Lightbourne said it felt good to win and she gave credit to her coach’s strategy which was to make 1.40 or 1.30 every lap.

#She added that she kept on pace with that time and decided to pick it up every lap.

#Day two wrapped up with the girls 800m run open heptathlon and the boys 1500m run open octathlon.

#Kaily Pratt, winner of the girls 800m open run, emerged victorious in the long distance race with 2:45.08. The Big Red Machine’s Trinity Pennerman ran a time of 2:45.74. They were followed by Lashae Smith who came in third.

#In the men’s long distance action, CR Walker’s Kyle Bain brought home another first place victory. Bain notched 4:48.47 in his eighth event in a two-day time span. He was followed by second place finisher Rayheem Robinson of C.C. Sweeting. Third place finish belonged to C.R. Walker’s Reanno Todd.

#Kyle Bain talked about how it felt to finally complete the octathlon. “It feels amazing to finish it now obviously but throughout the two days it was hard,” Bain said.

#Despite being tired he credited being mentally strong and his will to earn points in the event for his first place finishes in the last two races.

#In this past weekend’s CARIFTA Trials and National High school Championships action, the CARIFTA qualifiers are:

#CARIFTA Qualifiers

#Darvinique Dean, Keyezra Thomas, Jamiah Nabbie, Shayann Demeritte, Ishmael Rolle, Shatalya Dorsett, Amari Pratt, Akaya Lightbourne, Carlos Brown, Adam Musgrove, Zion Campbell, Tylah Pratt, Alexand Komolafe, Lanaisha Lubin, Apryl Adderley and Calea Jackson.

#The final day of the three day meet will feature highly anticipated relay finals action. This morning’s session begins at 9am.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/27/athletes-qualify-carifta-games-sac-lead-after-day-/?news

WORLD and Olympic champion Steven Gardiner said he is looking forward to getting back on top of the men’s standings in the 400 metres.

As of Wednesday, March 22, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#BACK in action after sitting out the past season with an injury, World and Olympic champion Steven Gardiner said he’s excited about his progress and looking forward to getting back on top of the men’s standings in the 400 metres.

#The 27-year-old multiple Bahamian national record holder from Abaco opened his season with a pair of quality performances indoors in February before he won his outdoor season opener on Friday in Puerto Rico, all three in the 300m.

#“At the beginning of the year, it started out rocky. I had to go to Germany in January for a checkup and I got the green light to compete,” said Gardiner in an interview with The Tribune.

#“I did my first indoor meet in South Carolina and then we went back to Gainesville (Florida) for my second competition. That’s where we ran really well. Then we went to Puerto Rico and I had a great start for outdoors. I almost PR (personal best).”

#Last year in his 300m opener before he went down with a UTE Tendon Inflammation injury that prevented him from defending his 400m title at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Gardiner clocked his lifetime best and national record of 31.52 and over the weekend, he came close with his winning time of 31.59.

#“I think coming off the injury, we are in a great place where we need to be this year,” said Gardiner of his performance so far. “I feel good. Training has been going very well.

#“I’m excited about training and the times are right there.”

#With this being dubbed his “return to competition,” Gardiner said he’s looking forward to going to Budapest, Hungary in August and getting back on top of the podium in the men’s 400m.

#“I think it will take around 43 to win it, but whatever time is the winning time, that is what I want to be able to do,” projected Gardiner, whose national 400m record is listed at 43.48.

#Not having competed in a while, Gardiner said he has to concentrate on his start with his long-time coach Gary Evans in their training camp in Florida. But he said they have been making the necessary adjustments to get him ready.

#“I just want to run the perfect race,” said Gardiner, who has been training under Evans’ supervision since 2016. “He’s been a real help in getting me to where I need to be. He’s my coach and he’s been helping me to get everything together.”

#With each passing race as he makes his return to the international circuit, Gardiner said he’s seen the tremendous support poured in from the Bahamian public on social media. “I want to thank them for supporting me,” he stressed. “I want to continue to make them feel proud and to put the Bahamas back on the international stage and make more history for the Bahamas.”

#Gardiner, however, said he misses not having his close friend and fellow Bahamian star Shaunae Miller-Uibo competing. She’s taken some time off to have her baby with her husband, Maicel Uibo.

#“As my good friend, I just want her to have a healthy pregnancy and enjoy her time off because I know she really needs it, having gone back-to-back competitions for so long,” Gardiner stated.

#“I just want her to take her time and when she returns, we will link up and we can continue what we started before she took her break for motherhood.”

#Having competed on both silver and bronze medal winning 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relay teams for the Bahamas at the 2014 CARIFTA Games in Fort-de-France, Martinique, Gardiner also sent his personal endorsement to the athletes who will be trying out this weekend for this year’s CARIFTA Games, scheduled for the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium over the Easter holiday weekend.

#“Always put your best foot forward. Most people can’t do it, so for those who make it, just do your best,” Gardiner stated.

#“You are competing at home with your family and friends there, so just go out there and do what you have to do and have fun.

#“Don’t put any pressure on yourself. The pressure should be in your training. You just need to be prepared to enjoy the games. Plus, this is our 50th year of Independence, so this is the icing on the cake. Just enjoy the experience of competing in CARIFTA and at home in your backyard.”

#Gardiner is looking forward to competing in his next meet in Florida, but while he will be running both the 200 and 400m, he said he might just surprise everybody and run in a 100m race.

#“The last time I did the 100m was in 2020 when COVID-19 started,” Gardiner said. “I ran a PB, so I will see if I can beat that.”

#But at the World Championships, Gardiner said his focus will be on the 400m where he was unbeaten in 23 consecutive races dating back to the 2017 World Championships when he won the silver medal behind world record holder Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa.

#If the opportunity presents itself, he said he could make himself available to run on the men’s 4 x 400m relay team.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/22/gardiner-pleased-his-comeback/?news

 Home|Sports|‘Wenty’ Ford Sports Foundation launchedSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailMarch 24, 2023 368 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Percival ‘Wenty’ Ford is a sports legend, and to carry on his legacy, his daughter Dr. Wentia Ford has officially launched a non-profit organization, the Wenty Ford Sports Foundation. That launch occurred earlier this month and the aim is to develop young people.

Wenty Ford, as he was affectionately called, was the first Bahamian pitcher to play in Major League Baseball (MLB), suiting up for the Atlanta Braves in 1973, officially entering the professional ranks with the club’s minor system in 1966. He also played for the first national cricket team of The Bahamas.

The foundation will be targeting inner city schools such as Stephen Dillet Primary School where students can do both sports and academics in an after-school program setting. They are looking to start with baseball and softball, once there is enough girls, and adequate funding. As the year progresses, organizers will attempt to add different sports, looking to secure scholarships in the future for the children. The target age group is 5-12 years old.

“There is sports development and the other part of the program is academic growth,” Dr. Ford said. “It is very important for the children, so two days out of the week will be dedicated to tutoring and homework. I plan on offering stipends to the teachers and coaches to help them.”

The foundation has a target date of September 2023 to be up and running, 50 years after Ford made his debut in MLB. It will run concurrently with the academic school year. Organizers are looking to develop leadership skills, provide mentorship, instill moral values and implement community service to help the student-athlete learn about giving back to the community. There is a GPA (grade point average) minimum requirement of 2.5 and a minimum of 2.0 in their subjects to be a part of the program.

After she went through scrapbooks of her father, Dr. Ford came across a letter from the Braves congratulating her father on his appearance on his first MLB game which was dated September 1973.

“What better time than now to start this foundation, at the 50th year of his appearance in MLB and 50th year of The Bahamas’ Independence. It is just an opportune time and now I am in a position where I can dedicate my time to the foundation and get it going. As a Bahamian, I feel it is my duty to give back to my country,” Ford said.

Ford said she has done humanitarian trips to Haiti and West Africa so it is time for her to give back to her country while maintaining the legacy of her father.

“Words cannot describe how I truly feel. I am honored and privileged to even have a father who is a legend in The Bahamas. To be able to give back and maintain my father’s legacy, is a great feeling. It is important to me to give back, especially to the youth who need it,” Ford said.

Dr. Ford is looking at starting off with 50 student-athletes once the funds for the foundation allow her to do so. Persons who are interested in finding out more information can visit the website, www.wentyfordsportsfoundation.com.

https://thenassauguardian.com/wenty-ford-sports-foundation-launched/