June 20, 2023June 20, 2023

Full Speed ahead for Bahamians

Nia Richards, of Star Elite Athletics Bahamas, receives gold after winning the 17 and 18 year olds 200m finals.

As of Monday, June 19, 2023

Action from the track at the Speed Capital event. Track photos: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Bahamian athletes collected a few gold medals at the inaugural Speed Capital International Championships. The three-day meet got underway on Friday and wrapped up on Father’s Day at the Thomas A Robinson. Speed Capital hosted 600 athletes between 72 clubs from seven countries outside of The Bahamas. Competitors from ages 5-18 put on a show for Grenada, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, United States of America, and Barbados.

#Luke Robinson, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Speed Capital, said it was amazing to host the International Championships in The Bahamas for the first time.

#“It’s been absolutely amazing one of the best things that we have gotten to see here is the pure excitement on the faces of the kids, I think the coaches are enjoying themselves and not so surprisingly I think the parents are having a blast seeing their kids enjoy themselves,” Robinson said.

#Mr Robinson was also impressed with the level of competitiveness from the young and older athletes.

#“They never cease to amaze me I think every Speed Capital event that we conduct athletes come and give everything that they have these kids look at it like their job and they come out here and give everything they have,” he said.

#Among some of the athletes that gave it their all on the final day of competition was none other than Grand Bahama’s Keyezra Thomas.

#The 13-year-old brought home the win for Speed Begins Track Club in the 13 year olds 200m dash. Zara Fraser of Fast Forward Athletics followed behind and third place finish went to Brion Ward of DTSP Wolf Pack Track Club.

#Thomas talked about the comfortable win.

#“The first 50m I knew I just had to get out and maintain my pace for the next 50m and then run as hard as I can on the last 100m,” she said.

#The North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) qualifier said sprint races were not really warm ups for her but the long jump helped to prepare for the age group championships. Overall, she was proud about completing the season injury-free.

#For the boys, Shawne Ferguson of Roadrunners Track Club capped of the event in first with 24.20. Swift Athletics Jireh Woodside placed second in 24.28. Meanwhile, Nathan King of Red-Line Athletics trailed behind for third.

#Eagan Neely, winner of the 14 year old boys 200m dash, clocked 23.11 to finish first. Rohman Rolle of Fast Forward Athletics wrapped up second in 23.83. Red-Line Athletics’ Shavano Nixon ran 24.21 for third.

#For the girls, Jasmine France from My Brother’s & Sister’s Keeper blitzed past the competition for first. Red-Line Athletics’ Caitlyn Smith claimed second position and Savannah Fraser of Fast Forward Athletics came third.

#France traveled to the meet from Florida and said she felt confident coming into the event.

#“It felt fine I felt pretty confident coming out here knowing that I had one of the fastest times so I felt pretty good and relaxed,” she said.

#Jamiah Nabbie, continued her track momentum at this past weekend’s Speed Capital International Championships. Nabbie outran her competitors with a time of 24.99 in the 15 and 16 year olds 200m dash. Red-Line Athletics Darvinique Dean followed behind in 25.74 and K’Leigh Davis of Fast Forward Athletics claimed third.

#Nabbie said it was not her best race but her focus now shifts to the junior nationals set for July 5-7.

#“It was bad in my opinion because the wind is very powerful right now and same with the 100m but I just Thank God for a safe race and I still came out on top,” she said.

#Nabbie added that she is looking to achieve a personal best in all events with 23.30 in the 200m and 11.50 in the 100m.

#For the boys, Michael Merritt of My Brother’s & Sister’s Keeper notched first place after clocking 22.42. Second position was claimed by Andrew Brown who ran unattached in 22.70. Meanwhile, Jalen Cooper of Quiet Storm Track Association captured the bronze with 22.82.

#Nia Richards, of Star Elite Athletics Bahamas, edged out her opponents with a time of 25.67 in the 17 and 18 year olds 200m race.Sage Connor of Heart and Soul Track Club finished second and Nya Wright of Red-Line Athletics finished third.

#“It felt really good it is very windy right now I am just grateful it didn’t rain again I really wanted to run the 200m now I have two weeks until nationals,” Richards said.

#Despite being unable to qualify for NACAC due to the windy conditions, she said it is her goal to use her final opportunity to qualify.

#Richards also was grateful for a new experience than she was not accustomed to at the Speed Capital meet.

#“It was a very different experience [that] I was exposed to a lot of new people and networking to form new friendships in the future…something I found particularly interesting is they have barcodes on our numbers and I have never experienced that anywhere else,” she said.

#For the boys, Jeremiah Adderley of DTSP Wolf Pack Track Club claimed victory. Samalie Farrington of Swift Athletics followed behind for second and Taryll Thompson of Fast Forward came in third.

#In the 200m open event, Brianique Strachan came first for the girls with 26.46.

#For the boys, Adam Musgrove finished first with 21.95 for Bahamas Speed Dynamics. Stephen Newbold ran unattached for second place. Quinton Ellis of Phoenix Track Club wrapped up in third.

#Musgrove said it felt good despite the weather not being the best. His main focus was to execute in the race. He said he enjoyed the Speed Capital meet because it was an efficient process that did not involve a lot of waiting.

#In the long distance events, Edney Russell of Hurry Murray Athletics was the lone competitor in the boys 3000m race walk. He finished the technical race in 21:07.81.

#After a long race, he talked about how it felt to compete.

#“It was painful and hard and no one did it with me so it was even worse ….I was just trying to move my arms as much as possible because your arms carry your legs,” he said.

#Track Results

#1500m Run girls/boys 13-18

#1500m 14 year old girls- Breyteisha Kemp (Hurry Murray), Ramonique Mclennon (Hurry Murray), Breynice Kemp (Hurry Murray)

#1500m 15 and 16 year old girls-Erin Barr (GB Athletics Track Club) 5:11.23

#1500m 14 year old boys- Jenico Gibson (GB Heats Athletics Track Club) 4:57.35, Rion Larrimore (Hurry Murray) 5:03.29, and Joel McPhee (Hurry Murray)

#1500m 15 and 16 year old boys- Ross Martin (Hurry Murray) 4:19.11, Wyndel Beyde (Aruba) 4:20.45, Breck Kemp (Hurry Murray) 4:47.10

#1500m 17 and 18 year olds- Christopher Saintus (Swift Athletics) 4:18.40, Raywind Winder (Hurry Murray) 4:20.80, Yeshua Dabian (Aruba) 4:21.32

#100m girls/boys 6u-open

#100m dash girls 6 and under – Tamorrah Manning (Honest Runners of North Miami) 18.11, Dillon Williams (Delray Track Club) 19.42, Keanna Smith (Roadrunners Track Club) 26.20

#Boys – Devin Small (Cobb PAL) 16.98, Jakoby Williams (Running Fire Track Club) 17.85, and Kaden Bullard (Swift Athletics) 18.24

#Girls 7 and under – Jazmyn Demeritte (Red-Line Athletics) 16.38, Ava McCall (NVA Track) 16.41, and Harmony Rolle (Andros Heats Athletics) 17.21

#Boys – Claudius Burrows (unattached) 15.53, Daythan Ingraham (Swift Athletics) 15.54, and Jose Solano (Phantom Athletics Club) 15.85

#Girls 9 year olds – Chrissi Love (Milwaukee Mustangs Track Club) 15.10, Tanaz Davis (Unique Athletics) 15.19, and Trinity Callis (unattached) 15.32

#Boys – Judah Thomas (Honest Runners) 14.14, George Brown (Swift Athletics) 14.30, and Zyheir Darks (Austin Steelers Track Club) 14.57

#• For remaining track and field results http://milesplit.live/meets/561623/events.

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023

Gaither is battling back

As of Monday, June 19, 2023

TYNIA GAITHER

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#AN illness she sustained at the end of last season has prevented veteran sprinter Tynia Gaither from competing in any meets so far this year on the international circuit.

#But after getting the all-clearance to train at the end of February, she’s working on coming home to make her season debut at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations National Championships next month.

#Still not in tip top shape, Gaither said she’s looking forward to defending her title in the women’s 100m during the championships, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#“Towards the end of February after I got healthy, I started training right away,” Gaither said in an interview over the weekend. “So I haven’t been able to do much. I’m not in the best shape, but I will be home for the Nationals.”

#After enduring Covid-19 at least three times last season, Gaither said when she took the vaccine, she got worse and since then, she continued to develop the symptoms that kept her away from the track.

#“I was home seeing a lot of doctors, but nobody could tell me what was wrong. They were telling me it was sinus affectation, a bacterial infection, but it was literally the same Covid-19 sickness that I was having before,” she pointed out.

#“I went to a new doctor at the end of February and he gave me one shot and it knocked it right out.”

#Not being in the type of condition that she want to be in, Gaither said if she can make the women’s relay team for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungry, she will be contended with her comeback,

#“After the Nationals, I hope to compete in some more meets and try to end my season strong,” he proclaimed. I know I should be able to do something worthwhile.”

#Now in her second season with coach Tonja Buford-Bailey in Austin, Texas, the 39-year-old Gaither said without any off-season training, it’s harder to get to the level of competition that she needs be coming home for the Nationals.

#“We started off kind of slow, but it’s too late to try and build that off season strength,” Gaither said. “We just jumped right into training and so it was really hard.

#“I’ve gained a few pounds since I missed training nd so it was difficult, but it’s one of those seasons where you just have to make due with what you have.”

#Gaither said she would love to team up with some of the younger athletes, along with veteran Anthonique Strachan, to provide a presence for the Bahamas in the 4x100m relay in Budapest in August.

#But she admitted that she will have to see what happens when she lines up against them.

#“These girls are running so well. Anthonique, Anthaya (Charlton), Charisma (Taylor) and Devynne (Charlton), there are so many of them on their A game and I’m so proud of what they have accomplished.

#“Even if I don’t make the trip to Worlds, I will be there cheering on everybody else. I think the time is now for the women to get back out there, even the men, especially the men.”

#The Grand Bahamian native, who graduated from the university, is coming off her second appearance at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last where she didn’t advance out of the preliminaries of the 200m, but got to the semifinals of the 200m.

#She also went to the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC)) Championships in Grand Bahama where she closed out her season at double silver medalist in the 200m on the women’s 4x100m relay team.

#Her 200m lifetime best of 22.41 was done at the World’s in Eugene and she clocked her personal best of 11.02 in Miami, Florida, in 2021. She is pegged as the seventh fastest Bahamian female of all-time in both events.

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023

Strachan sets new 100m personal best

ANTHONIQUE Strachan in action. (File photo)

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bsetubbs@tribujnemedia.net

#SPRINTER Anthonique Strachan has her sights set on the World Championships in August and she’s already starting to make a statement to her rivals going into the biggest global international meet this year.

#Strachan, in continuing to turn her career around after she was plagued by a series of injuries a few years ago, placed second in the women’s 100 metres at the Oslo Diamond League on Thursday in another lifetime best achievement.

#Her time of 10.92 seconds came behind Ivory Coast’s Marie-Josee Ta Lou, the winner in a world leading and meet record of 10.75. But for Strachan, it improved on her previous personal best of 10.98 that she ran at last year’s World Championships at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon where she ended up as a semifinalist in the century.

#“I’m very content to get a personal best despite making some mistakes in the race,” said Strachan, who ran on the inside of the field in lane two and made up enough ground in the middle of the race to hold onto her spot.

#In the process, she held off her Jamaican training partner Shericka Jackson, who ran 10.95 for third.

#Also in the race were Great Britain’s duo of Dina Asher-Smith, fourth in her season’s best of 10.98, the same time for Daryll Neita, who joined her compatriot in a photo finish for fourth place.

#“It’s a great confidence boost to best some of these women so I’m excited and I hope to run some more PBs this season,” said Strachan, the only Bahamian to compete in the meet.

#The 29-year-old could face these same competitors at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from August 19-27th, where she hinted that she could contest the sprint double for the first time in her career on the senior circuit.

#“I may run the double in Budapest,” she stated. “Medals are nice, but I always want to take stock of the progress that I’ve made and take the Champs step by step.”

#She’s also still looking for her first major individual medal on the international stage since capturing the sprint double at the World Junior Championships in 2012, Not only has she already dipped under the World Championships qualifying standard of 11.15 in the 100m, but she also did the mark of 22.8 in the 200m when she ran a personal best of 22.15 at the Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on May 28th.

#Before she decides on whether or not she will go for the sprint double in Budapest, Strachan will be coming home to go after the feat at the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships, scheduled for July 5-7 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023

Daalan Adderley named NCBWA 2023 Third Team All-American

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

Daalan Adderley with some of his latest awards.

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#UNLIKE many of his peers from the Junior Baseball League of Nassau who took the direct route, signing professional contracts to play baseball, Daalan Adderley decided to go through the collegiate ranks.

#He’s reaping the benefits of his decision to play for Texas Southern University where he was just named a 2023 National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) Third Team All-American and a member of the NCAA Div. I Central All-Region Second Team.

#“I’m extremely happy to be honoured in this manner,” Adderley said. “When I heard that they were honouring me, I couldn’t believe it because I’ve never heard of any Bahamian achieivng what I did.”

#The former Queen’s College student, who went on to complete high school at McCallie Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, finished the 2023 season ranked sixth nationally in batting average as he sported a .421 average. He also ranks third in the NCAA in on-base percentage (.541) and 21st in runs per game (1.25).

#He was also named as the 2023 SWAC Player and Hitter of the Year and selected to The Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award (BBNCSA). He became TSU’s first All-American since Kamren Dukes in 2018. Also in 2018, Dukes and Gaudencio Lucca were named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-Central Region team.

#“This means a whole lot to me because, as a Bahamian, I am here representing the entire country,” said Adderley, the only Bahamian playing on the team. “I realise that I am representing the country and so I was very happy to be able to accomplish what I did.”

#Not only was he ranked nationally in the USA top 10, but Adderley finished sixth in the batting average; he was fourth in on base percentage; awarded the SWAC Player and Hitter of the Year awards; made the SWAC 1st team All-Conference; made the All-region and All-American teams; was the first captain on the MBP HBCU All-Star team; was on the 2023 Bobby Bargain Slugger Award list and was invited to participate in the HBCU swingman Classic.

#Additionally, the 21-year-old was named to the NCBWA Division One All American team and ABCA NCAA Division One Rawlings All Region Team.

#Looking back at his season, Adderley said it was beyond his expectations.

#“I think I was able to achieve the goals that I set out and I got to do a lot more,” said Adderley, who just completed his junior year. “It was much more than I anticipated, so I’m really pleased with what I did this year.”

#In the classroom, Adderley produced a 3.6 grade point average as he pursues his degree in General Science.

#He is the son of Lisa Adderley-Anderson and Dwight Adderley. He has an older brother, Dr Shae Adderley, whom he considers to be one of his role models. He also has another brother and two sisters.

#When asked why he decided to go through the collegiate ranks rather than signing a pro contract like the majority of his peers here at home, Adderley said he thought it was the best way for him to get to the Major Leagues.

#“The goal, hopefully if it comes my way, is to play in the Major League,” Adderley said. “But me and my mom just decided that going to college and getting my education first was the best way for us to go and to get a chance to play in an international environment.

#“I have no regrets.

#“I have made the decision to go to college and as you can see, it’s working out very fine for me, so I’m pleased with the decision that I made.”

#Adderley, however, said with the opening of the new Andre Rodgers National Stadium, he hopes that he can one day come home and reunite with some of his teammates and represent the Bahamas in an international tournament.

#For now, he’s just going to enjoy his collegiate experience as he goes through summer school and gets prepared to play in the HBCU Swingman Classic on July 7 during the Major League Baseball All-Star Classic weekend in Seattle, Washington.

#No doubt with the statistics he’s produced during the season, Adderley is hoping to make an impact in front of the MLB scouts in his bid to become one of the next pro players for The Bahamas.

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023

Bahamas Women’s Football Hummel Cup continues on Saturday

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

Anya James, president of the Bahamas Football Association (BFA).

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) second edition of the Hummel Cup will continue for the women’s division this Saturday at the Roscow A L Davies Field. The women’s soccer teams started their games last weekend as teams from Group A and B battled against each other. The Group A teams included Cavaliers FC, Future Stars, and the defending champions United FC. Teams in Group B are the Baha Juniors, Dynamos FC, and Western Warriors. Ultimately, the women’s 2023 Hummel Cup winner will be crowned after this weekend.

#Anya James, president of the BFA, talked about how impressed she was with crowd turnout and the play of the women soccer teams.

#“I am very impressed with the turnout at the tournament and the level of support for our women’s programme and also the level of female players we have that are excited to be back on the pitch playing,” James said.

#The Hummel Cup tournament is played based on the rankings of the Group A and B teams. The winning teams earn three points, if a match ends in a draw, one point, and no points are rewarded for losses. In Group A, United FC leads both groups with nine points after defeating the Western Warriors (2-0), Baha Juniors (1-0), and Dynamos FC (1-0). The Cavaliers FC are right behind them in the Group A rankings with six points. The team wrapped up the Dynamos FC (2-0), and the Western Warriors (1-0). The Future Stars remain the only scoreless team in the rankings.

#For Group B, the Baha Juniors lead with six points after winning against the Cavaliers FC (2-0), and the Western Warriors (9-0). Dynamos FC sits second in the rankings with three points after earning a 6-0 over the Future Stars last weekend. The Western Warriors are tied with the latter also with three points after beating the Future Stars 2-0.

#James talked about the women shining on and off the Roscow A L Davies soccer field.

#“I expect the crowd to be even bigger this weekend and the games to be even more competitive I am proud of the girls who are happy to be playing on the new field and proud of BFA council member Daria Adderley who is an inspiration to the young women of the Cavaliers FC,” she said.

#The games start at 5pm this Saturday as the second-ranked Group A Cavaliers FC will match up against the third-ranked Future Stars. Meanwhile, last year’s runner ups Dynamos FC will take on the Western Warriors.

#United FC will take on the winner of the group A match at 6pm and the Baha Juniors will await the group B winner.

#The finals will get underway at 8pm as the defending champions will aim to win two consecutive Hummel Cup titles.

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023

‘Very competitive tournament’ expected at BLTA 2023 Junior Tennis National Championships

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

The newest officials from the two-day umpires training course will put their newfound knowledge to the test this weekend at the 2023 junior tennis national championships at the National Tennis Center (NTC).

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) will continue their 2023 junior tennis national championships for the older division starting today. Juniors of the under 12 through 18 divisions will battle at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) starting at 2pm today.

#The event will continue from Friday, June 16 until Wednesday, June 21 and will feature singles and doubles competition in all divisions. The Automotive Industrial Distributors Ltd (AID) sponsored event will include 150 matches between 100 tennis players from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Exuma, and Eleuthera.

#Perry Newton, president of BLTA, talked about the level of competition expected to be on display this weekend.

#“We expect a very competitive tournament. We look especially to the 14 and 16 girls and boys – the competition is going to be very fierce. Everybody is vying to be at the top and earn high ranking points, ” Newton said.

#He added that the weather will definitely play a role in the competition especially if it is hot because it will test the overall conditioning and stamina of the athletes which can potentially lead to some upsets.

#The 2023 junior tennis nationals will not only allow athletes to compete for the championship but they will also have the opportunity to earn the highest ranking points for the BLTA calendar year.

#Unlike the younger division which featured shorter sets, the older players will battle in the best of three tiebreaker sets. Last week at the NTC there were 13 new players that competed in the under 8 and under 10 divisions and there are more newcomers expected to play this weekend as well. With the sport growing more with every competition, Newton said it is a collective effort that goes into it.

#“It is not one person that can take the credit,” the president said. “There is a lot of thanks that has to be given to parents for staying committed to the success of their kids and we have to look at the athletes who want to play tennis…it’s a lot of persons that go into this and without one portion it’s hard to have success so we are working to continually grow each area.”

#The 2022 defending champions Patrick MacTaggart, Dentry Mortimer Jr, Kaylah Fox, Sarai Clarke, and others will also be in action to defend their championship hardware.

#With over 150 matches scheduled and 20 set to take place today starting at 2pm, the efforts of the newly-trained umpires have been greatly appreciated. Following a two-day umpire training course in May, the newest umpires were finally able to showcase their officiating abilities at last weekend’s junior nationals for the under 8 and 10 divisions.

#After two days of competition at the NTC last weekend, Eden Storr was crowned champion for the under 8 girls.

#Her runner up was Christin McWilliam. For the under 10 girls, Londyn Mortimer came away as the champion and Rebecca Bitan was the runner up. Meanwhile, Cory Conyers won the under 10 boys division and Max Shick was the runner up.

#The event is sponsored by AID, Coca Cola, and RMS Insurance Agents. The next event on the BLTA calendar will be the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament from June 24 to July 1.

June 17, 2023June 17, 2023

Alexis Gray’s switch from track to wrestling has been ‘very refreshing’

As of Friday, June 16, 2023

Alexis Gray

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#SINCE completing her tenure at Texas Southern University in 2019, Alexis Gray decided to make the transition to wrestling.

#In January, she signed a three year NXT contract with World Wrestling Entertainment and is in Orlando, Florida where she is in training for her professional debut as “Bahama Mama” – her official stage name.

#“It’s a great, great environment and great people from around the world,” said Gray about her experience in training camp so far. “It’s fun and very refreshing to be taking up a new style of competition.”

#The 25-year-old Gray, who stands at 5-feet, 3-inches, was ranked second in the 2019 SWAC Outdoor T&F Championships, running a lifetime best of 11.68 seconds in the 100 metres.

#She has also largely been ranked in first place during the Howie Ryan Invitational held in February 2019. And she has already reflected the changes on her official Instagram account, as she now has the tags for both WWE as well as NXT on her handle.

#She admitted that the WWE was a better fit for her future aspirations and she’s now done with running track.

#“I’m an exciting person and a thrill seeker,” she pointed out.

#“So when I got the opportunity to become a part of NTX branch of WWE, I jumped at it. Definitely was the calling for me and I felt it in my bones.”

#WWE has recently placed added emphasis on the signing and development of former college athletes, and it has used the NCAA’s new name, image and likeness (NIL) rules to its advantage.

#The company started a new NIL programme called Next In Line, which allows it to sign athletes who are still competing collegiately. It puts the athletes under the WWE umbrella and allows them to learn about the world of sports entertainment before WWE decides on whether to commit to them with an official contract.

#Gray joined Raw women’s champion Bianca Belair, a collegiate track athlete before signing with WWE, as she starred at the University of Tennessee, Texas A&M University and the University of South Carolina.

#Belair was a natural for pro wrestling from the start, and she has gone on to become one of WWE’s top stars as a one-time Raw women’s champion, one-time SmackDown women’s champion and one-time women’s Royal Rumble winner.

#Gray said she decided to make the transition from track to wrestling because of the success rate.

#“I can see myself going much further and much faster under conditions that allow me to maximum everything I’m capable of,” Gray pointed out. “Also, I’m being compensated good for my skills.”

#The St John’s College standout and former member of the TWD Athletics Track, headed by Golden Girl Tonique Williams, she said she had no regrets running away from track.

#“I went out there and gave it my all,” she stated. “I learned and got so much discipline from each and every one of my coaches and now that I’m here in WWE, I see why I needed it. It was all a preparation.”

June 16, 2023June 16, 2023

Bahamas to host Speed Capital International Championships

Three-day event comes to nation for the first time

MEMBERS of Speed Capital, The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) gathered at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium for the announcement of the inaugural Speed Capital International Championships this upcoming weekend.

As of Thursday, June 15, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Speed Capital is bringing its international championships to The Bahamas for the first time. The three-day event is set to take place starting at 6pm on Friday and will continue until Sunday, June 19 at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

#The championships will host 600 athletes from eight different countries including The Bahamas. Athletes will commute here from Grenada, Aruba, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Canada, United States of America, and Barbados. Competitors will range from ages 5-18 at this weekend’s inaugural meet.

#Luke Robinson, chief executive officer of Speed Capital, talked about why The Bahamas was chosen at the destination for the International Championships.

#“For us it was reciprocal. The Bahamian cohort of athletes that has been actively coming to our events in Florida has surpassed roughly about 300, so when we were looking at creating an international event, naturally it was home for us to come back to The Bahamas and show the same level of support that they have shown us in the States,” Robinson said.

#He added that he also wanted to introduce an experience to The Bahamas that is second to none in terms of the technology that they plan to use at this weekend’s three-day international championships.

#With 600 athletes prepared to compete and 225 of them coming from the USA, it was imperative for Speed Capital to introduce technology that makes the track meet go quicker and more efficiently.

#Derrick Greene, director of operations for Speed Capital, talked about the technology that will be utilised June 16-18 to eliminate the hold ups at the track meet.

#“We have scanners, computers, we have technology. So what we did was take that out of the hands of the people and put it in the hands of our technology,” Greene said.

#The scanners will allow for multiple athletes to be checked into their respective races and events in a shorter time frame.

#“I can scan 20 girls for a 400 metre event in 51 seconds I can check them in have them lined up in their heats in 51 seconds [and] that’s great,” he said.

#Greene said the technology works alongside the timers, not against it, therefore, if a meet is too far ahead of schedule they can slow it down or if a meet is running behind schedule, there are technological measures that can ensure that the event gets back on track or ahead of it.

#“I can scan a person or heat and if somebody is missing or the heat is low I will be able to change the heat immediately – hit a button, upload it to the timer, the timer sees the heat change [and] lane change automatically in the system [and] within a couple seconds that’s going down the track,” he said.

#The meet will also see the introduction of a real-time check in system which allows coaches to see the status of athletes as it changes in terms of them being checked in for races in a timely fashion.

#Robinson added that these technological advancements have allowed them to wrap up meets with more than 1,000 plus participants by 3pm.

#The inaugural meet is supported by The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and National Sports Authority (NSA).

#Moses Johnson, general manager of the National Sports Authority (NSA), said he does not believe the Speed Capital International Championships will be a one-time event.

#“We look for a multi-year partnership that we can bring these type of activities to the shore of paradise as we partner with the NSA and BAAAs for this event – especially for kids 5-15, that’s where you find the next Stevie Gardiners and Shaunae Miller-Uibos,” Johnson said.

#Robinson said Speed Capital is 100% committed to multi-year events in The Bahamas and it is not a one and done.

#“The natural matriculation process is going to take place year after year we will get bigger and we will get better and continue to improve . . . the best thing we can hope to look for is healthy participation, the kids having a great time and from there we can continue our partnership with NSA and the BAAAs,” the CEO added.

#The various local and international athletes will compete in all events except the pole vault this weekend.

#Interested individuals can pay a fee of $20 per day for adults – children five and below are free. The event starts at 6pm tomorrow, 9.30am on Saturday, and noon on Sunday.

June 16, 2023June 16, 2023

Four Seasons summer fun run/walk takes place this Saturday

As of Thursday, June 15, 2023

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#Four Seasons Race Management will host their second seasonal fun/run walk this Saturday at Goodman’s Bay Beach. The event is under a theme that will allow persons to participate in bikini tops or bareback which is optional. The fitness event will get underway at 6am and the first place male and female finisher will receive a cash prize of $100.

#The fun run/walk will be open to all demographics including pets and is geared towards having a collective fun time on the beach.

#Marcel “Bop” Major, owner of four seasons race management, talked about the purpose of these types of events.

#“Events like these are very important because people are becoming more health conscious and if you are healthy you tend to have a better quality of life, you are able to sleep better, think better, and perform better…so it makes you a more well rounded person when you decide you want to do some form of exercise,” Major said.

#He added that the event is going to be very exciting for families, children, and pets.

#There are two routes for the event – Route A and Route B. The first route allows participants to start east by the parking lot on the sand and complete one mile heading west on the sand at Goodman’s Bay. Route A will be a total of two miles going east to west and back. Meanwhile, Route B is the completion of Route A twice which is four miles.

#The event will not only have a racing component but competitors can partake in extracurricular activities as well. Beach activities will include beach volleyball, frisbee throwing, a best beach body and best abs contest.

#The BikiniTop and Bareback Beach Fun/Run Walk participants will also lend a hand to a worthy cause.

#All proceeds from the event will go to Erin Brown for Disability Advocacy & Inclusion Management.

#“Every race that we stage we have a charitable component and part of the proceeds goes to charity. We identified Erin Brown because she is an athlete and is doing some great work in the community so we searched around for a suitable person…she’s a great person and her advocacy deserves and requires some help and we are happy to assist,” Major said.

#Although event organisers have up to 120 persons registered, they are encouraging more people to sign up for Saturday. The cost of registration is $20 per person and it will come with a “swag” bag. Interested individuals can sign up at www.fourseasonsracemanagement.com or call 804-8595.

#However, if none of those avenues are suitable they will be hosting a packet pickup from 12 noon to 7.30pm on the eastern side of the field on Goodman’s Bay Beach this Friday. Persons can bring cash or card to sign up in-person. The last-minute option to register will allow participants to sign up from 5am before the race on Saturday if necessary.

#The event is sponsored by Bahamas Brewery, Global Insurance Agency Ltd, Thompson Trading Co Ltd, and Bahamas Wholesale Agencies. Event organisers are encouraging more local companies to sponsor before or after the event by visiting the website or contacting the number directly.

June 16, 2023June 16, 2023

Red-Line Athletics athletes ready for the next step

As of Thursday, June 15, 2023

Ezthia Maycock

Clinton Laguerre

Alexis Brown Jr

Johnathon Fowler

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#Tribune Sports Reporter

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Red-Line Athletics track club saw a few of their star athletes cross the stage at the St Augustine’s College graduation ceremony yesterday. The newest members of the class of 2023 celebrated their milestone in front of family, friends, and guardians at the Atlantis Imperial Ballroom. The Red-line Athletes included Alexis Brown Jr, Clinton Laguerre, Tumani Skinner, Johnathon Fowler, Ezthia Maycock, Jadyn Demeritte, and D’Angelo Collie. The athletes are preparing for the next step as they venture into early adulthood.

#Tito Moss, head coach of Red-Line Athletics, talked about how proud he was of the class of 2023 athletes.

#“I am really ecstatic and I am really proud of them,” Moss said. “What we are working on at Red-Line is to get as many of them as possible off to school. We have about 9 or 10 of them graduating and so far have gotten six of them sorted for college, so for us it’s good that they are finishing at this level and getting ready to matriculate to another level.”

#One of the many athletes that will be studying abroad is Johnathon Fowler. The young athlete has had quite the year on and off the track. On the track, Fowler was one of the four members on the under 20 4x400m relay team that set a new Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) record earlier this year. Also, he competed at CARIFTA for the first time as part of the historic 80-member Team Bahamas. Recently, Fowler competed with his fellow clubmates at the 2023 Penn Relays in Philadelphia. However, the sprint athlete’s prowess did not only exist on the track as he graduated with honours (cumulative average 3.00 to 3.49).

#Ezthia Maycock embodied the definition of a student athlete. She graduated with honours alongside Fowler and D’Angelo Collie, who also collected the award for Physics. Additionally, she won the 2023 academic award for religion. In sports, Maycock was a member of Team Bahamas and also competed at the Penn Relays for SAC’s 4x400m team.

#She talked about how it felt to balance being both an astute student and focused athlete.

#“I have learned to divide my time between school and practice,” she said. “Sometimes it could be stressful but I always had to remember my goals that I am working towards and to never give up.”

#Ultimately, Maycock said it felt amazing to graduate and was glad that her journey was successful. She thanked the track club for allowing her to experience things she never had before and said she hopes to apply everything she learned at her school in life and college.

#Tumani Skinner is known for his impressive stints at the 34th BAISS track and field championships and in the crowd-pleasing under 20 4x400m mixed relay at the 50th CARIFTA games. Skinner also participated in this year’s Penn Relays.

#After participating as a Redline athlete for four years, he talked about the happiness surrounding his newest accomplishment and time at the track club.

#“It feels great and I feel [a] huge relief of having finished my high school journey … Redline has molded me into a stellar athlete and allowed me to achieve things [that] I didn’t know were possible. It has taught me discipline and social skills,” he said.

#He started off running the 100-metre and 200m races. However, as time progressed he added the 400m race to his arsenal and has broken records in that event and in the 4x100m relays. As he embarks on his new journey, the athlete will pursue a degree in environmental science while working hard to become a professional division one athlete. Skinner said that he is grateful to be a part of great institutions such as SAC and Redline and one day he will pass on the experience and knowledge that was given to him.

#Similar to Fowler and Skinner, Clinton Laguerre is ready for the next step in his life journey. The SAC student contributed to breaking the under 4x100m BAISS record. Additionally, Laguerre represented SAC along with his teammates and schoolmates at the 2023 Penn Relays. He was also selected as a member of Team Bahamas once again.

#Laguerre reminisced on his previous graduations leading up to the big one.

#“I am very excited that I am walking out of the doors of high school I remember when I was walking on stage at my preschool graduation and here I am today walking on a bigger stage,” he said.

#He added that although he is a Red-Line Athlete he is still grateful for his start with Star Trackers in the ninth grade upon his arrival from Abaco. Nonetheless, after joining Red-Line he felt very welcome and offered a special thanks to the coaching staff who encouraged and supported him every step of the way. Laguerre is now in pursuit of his studies in computer technology and information systems and will look to obtain his goal of being the first to acquire a degree in his family. He has not made a final decision on a college yet but is in correspondence with multiple coaches and universities.

#Alexis Brown Jr joined Red-Line Athletics last year as a 400m and 800m distance runner. The 17-year-old represented the track club as one of 20 members at the Texas Tech High School in January. He talked about how it felt to finally be done with high school.

#“I feel phenomenal, this has been on my mind since grade ten and to finally do it is unbelievable,” Brown said.

#Although Brown has not made a decision on a college as yet, he said Redline Athletics has been keeping him on the right track and always stressed the importance of school for a track athlete, which made him want to be a better version of himself. Therefore, he thanked SAC and the track club for guiding him through his high school life.

#“I know I want to major in computer science [and] I want to continue to strive to be the best version of myself whether on the track or off, my goal is to be the best Alexis I can be,” he said.

#Coach Moss expects his athletes to now celebrate their newfound successes and believes some of them have a real chance to make it to the professional level. His last word of advice to them was continue to work hard, perfect their craft, and remain disciplined as the responsibility now belongs to them.