As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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Kinard Rolle

KEYSHAWN Strachan had another national record-breaking performance in the men’s javelin at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Open Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. However, his heave of 248-feet, 9-inches or 75.83 metres left him shy of a spot on the podium with fourth place. Photo by Anthony Foster from Track Alert

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — For most of the young Bahamian athletes, whether they made it to the final of their event or not, the 2022 North American, Central American and Caribbean Open Championships turned out to be a learning experience.

#One of them was Keyshawn Strachan, the Bahamian national record holder in the men’s javelin. He came into the championships having won a bronze medal at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.

#But he knew this was a much higher level and although he did his best, his heave of 248-feet, 9-inches or 75.83 metres left him shy of a spot on the podium with fourth place.

#However, it was another national record-breaking performance as he surpassed his previous mark of 236-7 (72.13m) that he posted in Cali last month.

#American Curtis Thompson took the gold with 276-4 (84.23m) with Trinidad & Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott getting the silver with 275-4 (83.94m) and American Ethan Dabbs got the bronze with 267-2 (81.43m).

#“My performance was good in my first senior meet,” said Strachan, who is coming off a bronze medal performance at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. “Next season, I’m expecting some big things.

#“The competition was really tough. I knew it was going to be tough because of the competitors entered.”

#Looking back at his performance overall this season, Strachan said it was his best ever.

#“I’m not going to college until January,” said Strachan, a graduate of St John’s College who has signed to compete for Auburn University. “So I’m going to continue with work with my coach (Corrington Maycock).

#“I hope to throw around 85 metres or better.”

#Shakeem Smith, competing in the final of the men’s 400m hurdles, raced out of lane one to eighth place in 52.49 as he got caught and passed at the tape by Haiti’s Joshua Adhemar in seventh in 52.48.

#“I kind of knew what was going to happen, but I still tried my best,” said Smith, who noted that he suffered a slight right hamstring injury during the warm up and he didn’t want to agitate it any further. “I still ran on my leg because I really wanted to get the experience.”

#After the race, Smith said he almost came to tears when he stepped out on the track to run because he was just delighted to be able to represent the Bahamas in the event.

#Kinard Rolle, who had predicted that he would run something fast after he advanced out of the semi-final of the men’s 400m, got off to a great start in the final, but didn’t have anything left to contend with the rest of the field coming off the final curve, finishing the race in 48.23 seconds for sixth place.

#“I was not that pleased with the results, As you can see, I executed the first part of the race, but I let the second part get away from me,” he said.

#Jamaica got a 1-2 punch as Christopher Taylor took the gold in 44.63 with Nathon Allen getting the silver in 45.04 and American Bryce Deadmon the bronze in 45.06.

#Rolle said he wanted to give the Bahamian people “something to cheer for, make it worth their while, let them see a show,” but it didn’t work out as he faltered down the stretch.

#There’s still hope for Rolle for the future. He indicated that he will go back to the drawing board with his coach and try to devise a plan for his return next year.

#Xavier Coakley, coming off an injury that required surgery a year ago this same time, was also sixth in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.85.

#The USA got the top two spots with Freddie Crittenden getting the gold in 13.00 and Jamal Britt the silver in 13.08, while Jamaica’s Orlando Bennett won the bronze in 13.18.

#“To make it back is a great feeling,” said Coakley of his comeback from the injury he sustained after he completed his senior year at the University of Miami. “I think this will only motivate me to come back stronger for next year.”

#Samson Colebrooke didn’t advance out of the semi-finals of the men’s 100m after he clocked 11.71 for seventh in his heat and 22nd overall.

#He too was coming off an injury and didn’t want to reagitate it any further so as a precautionary measure, he didn’t want to tighten up so he just cruised through the finish line.

#“The plan was just to come in and see where we were going,” he said. “There were a lot of hiccups early in the season with a lot of transitions. So me and my coach were trying to get me prepared to come home (to compete).

#“I didn’t want to leave, but I wanted to see what I could do. No regrets. I haven’t ran on home soil, but I just hope to get back strong for next year, make these teams and do better.”

#Anthonique Strachan got fourth in her heat of the women’s 100m in 11.48, but it left her as the ninth qualifier, one spot shy of returning for the final that was won by her training partner Shericka Jackson of Jamaica in a championship record time of 10.83.

#“It wasn’t a great execution because I am still a little scared of my leg after I got hurt at the World Championship,” she said.

#“It was a quad injury. I got a third degree strain and I sort of rushed it to compete at NACAC because I wanted to compete at home, especially because it was in Freeport.

#“I rushed my recovery to come here. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but it’s a mental mindset.”

#Printassia Johnson, also entered in the 100m semi-finals, was sixth in her heat in 11.66 for 11th overall.

#“I was just focusing on my phases. That is all,” she pointed out. “The race was okay.”

#After taking a six-year hiatus, Johnson returned to competition last year under coach Ednal Rolle.

#She said they still have a lot more work to do, but it was good for them to see exactly where she is against the top-notch competition.

#Sprinter Denisha Cartwright got to compete in her specialty in the women’s 100m hurdles after she got her senior international debut in both the 100 and 200m at the Commonwealth Games.

#She didn’t advance with Devynne Charlton out of the semi-finals of the hurdles after she placed sixth in her heat in 13.56 for eighth overall, but lost out on a spot in the final by another automatic qualifier. “I felt it wasn’t too good for me. I didn’t get to execute the way I wanted to, but it was all good,” she said.

#“The hurdles is my best race and I feel more comfortable with it. I just wanted to see where I am right now.”

#She noted that it was certainly an eye opener for her and she is more determined to get back to her next major international competition.

#Andre Colebrooke closed out his season with a fourth place finish in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles in 53.27 for ninth place overall as he watched Shakeem Smith advance to the final with his fourth place in the other heat in 50.55 for seventh place.

#“It was good. It was my meet for the season, so I just wanted to go out there and try to make it to the final,” he said.

#“Overall I made some mistakes. I should have taken it out a little harder, but maybe next time.”

#Colebrooke, however, admitted that he was disappointed that he didn’t run faster and advised the media to “look out for me.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/23/most-our-young-athletes-nacac-open-championships-w/?news

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As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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#TWO championship matches were held this weekend as the 28th annual AID Clay Court Championships concluded at the Gym Tennis Centre, with two teams reigning supreme.

#The first title, the mixed doubles was claimed by Tom McDermott and Sh’Ron Saunders who triumphed over the number one seeds, Bjorn Ferguson and Richette Percentie. The match went the distance 0-6, 6-4, 12-10.

#In their road to the finals, Saunders and McDermott won 6-3, 6-3 over Stafford Armbrister and Valorie Rees. Saunders and McDermott won the championship match after roaring back to win in an epic battle and a thrilling match tiebreak.

#The second title, the men’s open doubles, was captured by president Perry Newton and Donte Armbrister, who won over Ken Kerr and Bjorn Ferguson 6-2 6-0.

#Armbrister and Newton matched up for the first time in doubles and had great results.

#Donte and Perry advanced to the finals with a win over Godfrey Virgil and Kevin Major Sr 6-1, 6,1.

#Armbrister and Newton displayed a dominant performance, not dropping a set all tournament long.

#Three more titles are waiting to be claimed. The men’s jr vets singles will be decided in the final match between Scott Reddick and Harrington Saunders on Thursday.

#The men’s open singles and junior vets doubles are currently underway.

#On Saturday, Tshaka Symonette won 6-0, 6-4 over Ken Kerr in the men’s singles and Timothy Dames and Eugene Gibson advanced in jr vets doubles over Julian Robinson and Chigoze Ijeoma in a walkover. In the men’s singles quarterfinals, Bobby Chen will take on Donovan Ingraham, Scott Reddick will face Tshaka Symonette, Dentry Mortimer will take on Ryan Fox and Anthony Munnings will face Nkosi Symonette.

#The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) extends congratulations to all the champions, runners up and participants. The tournament referee is Mickey Williams, assisted by Everette Munroe.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/23/28th-annual-aid-clay-court-championships/?news

As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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Kinard Rolle

KEYSHAWN Strachan had another national record-breaking performance in the men’s javelin at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Open Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. However, his heave of 248-feet, 9-inches or 75.83 metres left him shy of a spot on the podium with fourth place. Photo by Anthony Foster from Track Alert

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — For most of the young Bahamian athletes, whether they made it to the final of their event or not, the 2022 North American, Central American and Caribbean Open Championships turned out to be a learning experience.

#One of them was Keyshawn Strachan, the Bahamian national record holder in the men’s javelin. He came into the championships having won a bronze medal at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.

#But he knew this was a much higher level and although he did his best, his heave of 248-feet, 9-inches or 75.83 metres left him shy of a spot on the podium with fourth place.

#However, it was another national record-breaking performance as he surpassed his previous mark of 236-7 (72.13m) that he posted in Cali last month.

#American Curtis Thompson took the gold with 276-4 (84.23m) with Trinidad & Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott getting the silver with 275-4 (83.94m) and American Ethan Dabbs got the bronze with 267-2 (81.43m).

#“My performance was good in my first senior meet,” said Strachan, who is coming off a bronze medal performance at the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. “Next season, I’m expecting some big things.

#“The competition was really tough. I knew it was going to be tough because of the competitors entered.”

#Looking back at his performance overall this season, Strachan said it was his best ever.

#“I’m not going to college until January,” said Strachan, a graduate of St John’s College who has signed to compete for Auburn University. “So I’m going to continue with work with my coach (Corrington Maycock).

#“I hope to throw around 85 metres or better.”

#Shakeem Smith, competing in the final of the men’s 400m hurdles, raced out of lane one to eighth place in 52.49 as he got caught and passed at the tape by Haiti’s Joshua Adhemar in seventh in 52.48.

#“I kind of knew what was going to happen, but I still tried my best,” said Smith, who noted that he suffered a slight right hamstring injury during the warm up and he didn’t want to agitate it any further. “I still ran on my leg because I really wanted to get the experience.”

#After the race, Smith said he almost came to tears when he stepped out on the track to run because he was just delighted to be able to represent the Bahamas in the event.

#Kinard Rolle, who had predicted that he would run something fast after he advanced out of the semi-final of the men’s 400m, got off to a great start in the final, but didn’t have anything left to contend with the rest of the field coming off the final curve, finishing the race in 48.23 seconds for sixth place.

#“I was not that pleased with the results, As you can see, I executed the first part of the race, but I let the second part get away from me,” he said.

#Jamaica got a 1-2 punch as Christopher Taylor took the gold in 44.63 with Nathon Allen getting the silver in 45.04 and American Bryce Deadmon the bronze in 45.06.

#Rolle said he wanted to give the Bahamian people “something to cheer for, make it worth their while, let them see a show,” but it didn’t work out as he faltered down the stretch.

#There’s still hope for Rolle for the future. He indicated that he will go back to the drawing board with his coach and try to devise a plan for his return next year.

#Xavier Coakley, coming off an injury that required surgery a year ago this same time, was also sixth in the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.85.

#The USA got the top two spots with Freddie Crittenden getting the gold in 13.00 and Jamal Britt the silver in 13.08, while Jamaica’s Orlando Bennett won the bronze in 13.18.

#“To make it back is a great feeling,” said Coakley of his comeback from the injury he sustained after he completed his senior year at the University of Miami. “I think this will only motivate me to come back stronger for next year.”

#Samson Colebrooke didn’t advance out of the semi-finals of the men’s 100m after he clocked 11.71 for seventh in his heat and 22nd overall.

#He too was coming off an injury and didn’t want to reagitate it any further so as a precautionary measure, he didn’t want to tighten up so he just cruised through the finish line.

#“The plan was just to come in and see where we were going,” he said. “There were a lot of hiccups early in the season with a lot of transitions. So me and my coach were trying to get me prepared to come home (to compete).

#“I didn’t want to leave, but I wanted to see what I could do. No regrets. I haven’t ran on home soil, but I just hope to get back strong for next year, make these teams and do better.”

#Anthonique Strachan got fourth in her heat of the women’s 100m in 11.48, but it left her as the ninth qualifier, one spot shy of returning for the final that was won by her training partner Shericka Jackson of Jamaica in a championship record time of 10.83.

#“It wasn’t a great execution because I am still a little scared of my leg after I got hurt at the World Championship,” she said.

#“It was a quad injury. I got a third degree strain and I sort of rushed it to compete at NACAC because I wanted to compete at home, especially because it was in Freeport.

#“I rushed my recovery to come here. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but it’s a mental mindset.”

#Printassia Johnson, also entered in the 100m semi-finals, was sixth in her heat in 11.66 for 11th overall.

#“I was just focusing on my phases. That is all,” she pointed out. “The race was okay.”

#After taking a six-year hiatus, Johnson returned to competition last year under coach Ednal Rolle.

#She said they still have a lot more work to do, but it was good for them to see exactly where she is against the top-notch competition.

#Sprinter Denisha Cartwright got to compete in her specialty in the women’s 100m hurdles after she got her senior international debut in both the 100 and 200m at the Commonwealth Games.

#She didn’t advance with Devynne Charlton out of the semi-finals of the hurdles after she placed sixth in her heat in 13.56 for eighth overall, but lost out on a spot in the final by another automatic qualifier. “I felt it wasn’t too good for me. I didn’t get to execute the way I wanted to, but it was all good,” she said.

#“The hurdles is my best race and I feel more comfortable with it. I just wanted to see where I am right now.”

#She noted that it was certainly an eye opener for her and she is more determined to get back to her next major international competition.

#Andre Colebrooke closed out his season with a fourth place finish in the semi-finals of the men’s 400m hurdles in 53.27 for ninth place overall as he watched Shakeem Smith advance to the final with his fourth place in the other heat in 50.55 for seventh place.

#“It was good. It was my meet for the season, so I just wanted to go out there and try to make it to the final,” he said.

#“Overall I made some mistakes. I should have taken it out a little harder, but maybe next time.”

#Colebrooke, however, admitted that he was disappointed that he didn’t run faster and advised the media to “look out for me.”

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/23/most-our-young-athletes-nacac-open-championships-w/?news

HEAD coach Carl Hield is flanked by boxers Jalen Young and Jaiden Young.

As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas, in its bid to expose the next generation of amateur boxers to international competition, will be taking a four-man team to the High School/Junior Championships in George Town, Guyana.

#The team, headed by federation president Vincent Strachan, will be leaving on Wednesday for the competition that will run through August 29.

#However, Strachan said they are still appealing to the public for their financial support to ensure that every member of the team gets to travel.

#Carl Hield, the country’s most seasoned amateur boxer coming off a disappointing first round TKO at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, will be making his debut as the head coach of the team. He will be assisted by Vincent Deleveaux out of Inagua.

#Selected to represent the country are Keano Cox, a 17-year-old out of Inagua, fighting out of the 132- pounds category; Andrew Curtis, a 15-year-old from New Providence in the 119-lbs; brothers Jaiden Young, a 17-year-old old in the 141-lbs and 15-year-old Jailen Young in the 125lbs, both out of Tampa, Florida, along with Elijah Smith, a 17-year-old Grand Bahamian in the 217-lbs category.

#The event was postponed two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Strachan said the federation is still appealing for financial assistance to defray the cost for the team because of their long stopovers and night over in Trinidad, in addition to other factors associated with team travel.

#“We are just waiting on some financial assistance from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to assist us,” Strachan said.

#“The initial situation we were faced with is one of the boxers didn’t have a visa.

#“The team won’t be able to come back through Miami, so it’s easier to come back through Cuba,” Strachan said.

#“Three members of the team, brothers Jaiden and Jailen and Carl Hield, will be returning to Miami.”

#Strachan said he’s confident that the team will do very well. “The only team I think we will have problems with is the host country, Guyana,” he said. “They have been training and competing in-house with boxing matches every two weeks. That is what we were not having.

#“But we are going there with confidence and I believe we will do very well. We have very high hopes for the two boxers in Tampa because although they are very young, they are elite boxers, so we’re looking forward to their transition to the senior team, at least one of them next year. We are excited about the prospect of what is to come.”

#Right after this event, Strachan said the federation has three more events to send teams off to compete. He noted that if they can secure the funding for the teams to travel, it would bode well for the future development of the teams.

#“Our senior boxers, who competed at the Commonwealth Games, Carl Hield and Rashield Williams, hadn’t competed in about 10 months and that really paid a major disadvantage,” he said.

#“So if you don’t compete, it will be a struggle against the teams who are competing on a regular basis.”

#After a two-year hiatus of taking a junior team off to compete, Strachan said this will be a good indication of where the programme is and what they need to do to improve on the performances of the boxers as they look ahead to the future.

#While the team is scheduled to leave at 7am Wednesday on Bahamasair and make a stopover in Trinidad before heading to Guyana, Strachan said they will return with a stopover in Trinidad & Tobago.

#The team will split up with those heading to Miami and the rest going through Cuba before coming home.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/23/four-man-boxing-team-set-high-schooljr-championshi/?news

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As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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#AFTER a thorough evaluation period by the coaches and the Technical Department, the Bahamas Football Association has selected its national team to compete at the CONCACAF 2022 Under-17 Boys Championships Qualifiers.

#The event will be held August 30 to September 8 in Bradenton, Florida.

#Bruce Swan will be the head of the delegation. The manager is Daria Adderley and Sandeep Goud is the medical doctor and physiotherapist.

#The team, coached by Nesly Jean, assisted by Kevin Davies with Avery Kemp as the goalkeeper coach, is comprised of the following players:

#James King, Nahum Johnson, Dylan Archer, Toby Cartwright, Cameron Pratt, Deron Ferguson, Claudius Curtis, Shmaad Smith, Kai Perez, Jack Massey, Kristan Watchorn, Jordan Cheetham, Luca Chiacchiari, Reuben Edgecombe, Jaxon Bethel, William Gardiner, Matthew Holst, Robert Holcombe, Conry Raine and Atarri Moss,

#The squad trains daily 6-7.30pm at the Roscow AL Davies Soccer Centre at the Baillou Hills Sporting

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/23/bfa-selects-national-team-concacaf-u-17-boys-champ/?news

BAHAMAS men’s 4 x 400 metre relay team, from left to right, of Shakeem Smith, Kinard Rolle, Alonzo Russell and Wendall Miller. Photo: Derek Carroll

As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstiubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — It turned out to be an historic event, not just for the Bahamas, but the North American, Central American and Caribbean region at the 2022 Anita Doherty Open Championships.

#And even though he spent the majority of his time recuperating in the Rand Memorial Hospital, NACAC president Mike Sands said he was still pleased how the event was staged in Grand Bahama, despite complaints by some of the countries about the living conditions in the games village at Our Lucaya Resort.

#As the fourth edition of the three-day event came to a close on Sunday night at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, Team Bahamas produced its largest medal total ever with seven, including the gold medal from Shaunae Miller-Uibo in a championship record in the women’s 400 metres.

#Team Bahamas, managed by Renee ‘Sunshine’ Davis with Ronald Cartwright as the head coach, assisted by Tito Moss, Robert Ayton, Jason Larimore and Corrington Maycock, also collected two silver from Tynia Gaither in the women’s 200m and the women’s 4 x 100m team of Printassia Johnson, Anthonique Strachan, Devynne Charlton and Gaither.

#The team also produced four bronze from Charlton in the women’s 100m hurdles, Donald Thomas in the men’s high jump, Rhema Otabor in the women’s javelin, and the men’s 4 x 400m relay team of Kinard Rolle, Alonzo Russell, Shakeem Smith and Wendell Miller. The Bahamas didn’t participate in the initial championships in El Salvador in 2007, but made its debut in 2015 in Costa Rica, bringing home two silver and three bronze before going to Toronto, Canada in 2018 where the Bahamas collected two bronze.

#At the end of the meet, a total of 22 championship records were broken, one shy of the most ever posted in Toronto where the record stands at 23.

#The United States of America, in a dominating fashion that included a sweep of all five relays contested, including the mixed 4 x 400m and both the men and women 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relays, carted off a total of 63 medals with 29 gold, 22 silver and 12 bronze.

#Jamaica came second with six gold, nine silver and nine bronze for their total of 24, while Canada got third with 14 medals, including two gold, three silver and nine bronze. Cuba and Guatemala both got two gold to beat out the Bahamas in the gold rush for fourth and fifth, but only had six and three medals in total respectively.

#As he stood in the VIP stands watching the final day of competition on Sunday, Sands is still of the opinion that hosting the event in Grand Bahama was the right decision by NACAC.

#“I think we made the right decision. We got the support that we needed and I’m very, very pleased with the results,” Sands said.

#“We saw a number of championship records broken and that is a testimony of the calibre of event we had and as testimony to the facility at this track and its surface.

#“I’m just thankful for all of the support that we received from the member associations, who all came and participated, not withstanding the support of the Bahamas Government, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Ministry of Grand Bahama and our many partners and sponsors.”

#Despite the bump in the road, as it pertains to the accommodations at Our Lucaya, Sands said they were able to iron out and correct the deficiencies and it ended up being a great championship.

#“It’s not how you start, but how you finish,” he said.

#Shortly after making his remarks during the opening ceremonies on Friday at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, Sands returned to the VIP stand where he had a dizzy spell. He was treated on site and then taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital where it was determined he will be kept in for a few days for observation.

#“I’m thankful for the support during my down time,” he said.

#“I had the best of care from the doctors, nurses and personnel at the Rand and the support from the Minister of Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey. It was 24-7 care. I’m very happy with that.

#“I was able to watch the live stream from my bed and so I was very happy with what I saw. But I’m very happy that I was able to come out here for the closing of the championships. I’m still not 100 percent, but I’m in a better place right now.”

#While everybody was making their way out of Grand Bahama on Monday, Sands will remain for a few more days to complete his evaluation before he is given the green light to travel. But he said he is optimistic that once the results are completed, he will be able to return home.

#Sands, however, said he is grateful that despite being hospitalised, he was able to watch as everybody stepped in and made sure that the championships turned out to be one that everybody will remember.

#The championships, which has not been given a location for the fifth edition as yet, was held in honour of the late Anita Doherty, a prominent sportswoman, educator, administrator and philanthropist who passed away on March 28.

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BAHAMAS women’s relay team of, from left to right, Printassia Johnson, Anthonique Strachan, Tynia Gaither and Devynne Charlton.

As of Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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Drumeco Archer

#By DENISE MAYCOCK

#Tribune Freeport Reporter

#dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), was extremely pleased with Team Bahamas’ performance at the NACAC Open Championships in Grand Bahama.

#Among those highlighted was Grand Bahama’s very own Tynia Gaither, who won the silver medal in the women’s 200-metre final, clocking a time of 22.35 seconds.

#And, Donald Thomas captured the bronze in the men’s high jump. Also, the gold medal win by Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who set a new NACAC record in the women’s final of the 400m.

#“I am happy, I have seen improvements across the entire spectrum of our programme at every international event we have gone to and we have been increasing the medal count,” Archer said on the final day of competition at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex on Sunday.

#“Today, we had Tynia, in addition to Donald Thomas – the ageless wonder – getting a bronze medal in the high jump. Then, we had Devynne Charlton placing second in the 100 metres hurdles and we also had the incredible Shaunae Miller-Uibo winning a gold medal, and then we came back with Tynia Gaither running a personal best of 22.35 and getting the silver medal – you couldn’t ask for more than that with Team Bahamas.”

#“I think the championships went pretty well when you look at the quality of performances and the quality of athletes that have participated at these games, he said. I don’t know if we could have expected more.

#“GB is elated. This is really a stimulus for them in terms of track and field, but also an economic boom,” Archer added. Archer stated that they are happy about having the event in Grand Bahama. “I think by all accounts everybody seems very satisfied, he said.

#The event attracted 400 athletes from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. He thanked Mike Sands, president of the NACAC, for bringing the event to the Bahamas, particularly Grand Bahama.

#Sands took ill while attending the event and is under observation.

#“President Sands is convalescing. He is under observance,” Archer said.

#“I have spoken with him. He is in great spirits, and he says he feels great.”

#Conditions were very hot over the three days of competition.

#“It was incredibly hot, and I think it took its toll on many athletes,” Archer said. “But, it cooled down on the final day of competition and you could not complain anymore about the heat.”

#When organising the schedule, he explained that the technical director would have considered the question of light conditions in time for the event.

#“And out of an abundance of caution, we decided in the event that lamps were not installed at the time of the event, then at least, we would have full daylight for the event.”

#“Well, we got full light and a wonderful facility for nighttime competition. Unfortunately, it was too late to change the schedule,” he stated.

#Archer is confident that other events would be held in Grand Bahama.

#He noted that whether government or privately funded, they will push and continue to market the Bahamas as a track and field and tourist destination. “Our push and mandate is to create more content for track and field in the Bahamas, both in GB and NP,” Archer said.

#He thanked the entire organising committee for doing such a huge job in executing and pulling off the event and delivering a world-class competition.

#“I want to say a special thanks to Chevonia McBride and Perez Cooper who were co-chair persons for the event, and Norris Bain, deputy managing director, and others, including Deon Britton (hotel accommodations); Dr Cecil Thompson (transportation); Sophia Higgs (volunteer section); Laura Pratt Charlton, (competition manager) supported by her husband David Charlton (the competition director). General-Secretary Keith Joseph and Mabelene Miller CEO for BAAA (responsibility for accreditation),” Archer summed up.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/23/baaa-president-archer-pleased-team-bahamas/?news

 Home|Sports|High scoring affairs in the NPSASports

Simba FrenchSend an emailAugust 23, 2022 143 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

There were two games on the New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) schedule on Saturday night – both in the women’s department. They both finished in the fourth inning as the Sunshine Auto Wildcats and the RAB Operators picked up victories. Fans got an early night at the Banker’s Softball Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex as both games ended short via the mercy rule.

The Wildcats easily disposed of the Johnson’s Lady Truckers, 11-1, in the late game. The early game had the Operators dominating the Black Scorpions, 17-0.

Wildcats’ pitcher Thela Stevens, formerly Thela Johnson, walked away with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in their game as she finished 2-for-3 at the plate and scored two runs. The runs came in the first and second innings. In pitching, she struck out four of the Lady Truckers’ batters.

The Wildcats surely were not looking for this game to go to seven innings as they quickly got out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning. It was all Wildcats straight through as they pounced on the Lady Truckers to go up 6-0 after two innings. Both teams came up empty in the third inning.

The Lady Truckers finally got a runner home as catcher Brendia Carey scored after hitting a triple, but the Wildcats still led 6-1.To end the game in the fourth inning, the Wildcats needed to score five more runs. They did easily. Second baseman Shannon Poitier came home after Cia Bowe was hit by a pitcher with the bases loaded to end the game.

In the first game, Operators’ pitcher Diva Burrows was the MVP as she had a no-hitter and struck out four Black Scorpions’ batters.

It was all Operators in this game as it also lasted four innings. They scored four runs after two innings before tuning their bats more to score some runs in the third and fourth innings. In the third inning, they almost doubled their runs total with seven runs to go up 11-0.

The Operators scored another six runs in the top of the fourth inning to plate 17 runs after four. Needing to defend in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Operators picked up three quick outs to win the game.

NPSA action continues Thursday night with a women’s matchup at 7 p.m. and the men’s game following.

The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes will battle the Operators at 7 p.m. The men’s game will feature the Atlantis Titans going up against the Cyber Tech Blue Marlins at 9 p.m.

https://thenassauguardian.com/high-scoring-affairs-in-the-npsa/

 Home|Sports|Otabor wins bronze in the women’s javelinSports

Otabor wins bronze in the women’s javelin

Sheldon LongleySend an emailAugust 23, 2022 161 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Javelin sensation Rhema Otabor won her most prestigious medal, to date, claiming a bronze in that event at the 4th Anita Doherty North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Track and Field Championships in Freeport, Grand Bahama, on Sunday.

Otabor had a best throw of 57.91 meters (m) – 186’ – just off her personal best throw of 58.58m (192’ 2”).

It was a 1-2 sweep for the Americans as Kara Winger won the gold with a throw of 64.68m (212’ 2-1/2”) and Ariana Ince secured the silver with a throw of 59.69m (195’ 10”). Otabor had a strong performance in finishing third.

“That was about a meter short of my personal best throw, so I was happy with it. I had a li’l hiccup at the end but I’m satisfied,” said Otabor. “The competition out there was tough. I got what I expected and overall it was pretty good. I felt the support and love from the crowd and it was great.”

After winning gold at the Commonwealth Games a few weeks ago, LaQuan Nairn was looking for similar success at the 4th Anita Doherty NACAC Track and Field Championships here at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex but had to settle for fourth among a tough field of jumpers.

Nairn soared 7.75m – 25’ 5-1/4” – matching the same distance as the bronze medalist but falling to fourth based on the distance of their second-best jumps.

American William Williams won the gold with a leap of 7.89m (25’ 10-3/4”), Jamaican Tajay Gayle secured the silver medal with a leap of 7.81m (25’ 7-1/2”) and the other Jamaican Shawn-D Thompson won the bronze medal. He had an identical best leap as Nairn but, as mentioned, he had the better second-best jump to give him the edge for the bronze.

The other Bahamian in the field, Holland Martin, finished sixth with a best jump of 7.67m (25’ 2”). There was only about five inches separating Nairn from fourth to the gold.

“It’s a good feeling to be here jumping in front of my family and the home crowd,” said Nairn. “The competition was pretty good.”

Nairn qualified for the final with a leap of 7.45m (24’ 5-1/2”). The other Bahamian in the men’s long jump Holland Martin had a best leap of 7.18m (23’ 6-3/4”) in qualifying. He qualified for the final 10th overall.

“It’s always great to be able to come home and compete in front of the home crowd. I wish I could have done better, but I feel healthy,” said Martin. “I felt very comfortable out there – I love to compete in front of the home crowd. There was a slight headwind which I believe caused an issue with some of our approaches, but it was just about going out there and making the adjustments. My performance was OK but I know I could have done better.”

Nairn said he really wanted a medal, but he’s content with what he was able to do.

“For me, it’s just about staying poised and focused on executing each and every time I step on the runway and not worry about what happened in the past. I’m looking forward to better things in the future,” he said.

In the men’s triple jump, Kaiwan Culmer just missed out on a medal, finishing with a best leap of 15.55m (51’ 0-1/4”) for fourth. The other Bahaman in that event, Kristen Hanna, was sixth, finishing with a best leap of 13.87m (45’ 6-1/4”).

In the women’s triple jump final, Tamara Myers finished fourth overall with a best leap of 13.69m (44’ 11”).

“The field was a good one, so I felt compelled to jump well,” said Myers on Sunday. “It was a long season for me. I took about two weeks off after nationals and went back to training. Overall, I am pleased with my performance and I’m looking forward to the offseason.”

Thea Lafond won her country’s first-ever gold medal at the NACAC Championships, striking gold for Dominica with a leap of 14.49m (47’ 6-1/2”). American Keturah Orji won the silver medal with a jump of 14.32m (46’ 11-3/4”), and Davisleydi Velazco, of Cuba, won the bronze medal with a leap of 14.08m (46’ 2-1/2”).

https://thenassauguardian.com/otabor-wins-bronze-in-the-womens-javelin/

 Home|Sports|Jones’ 20 points not enough as Sun lose to WingsSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailAugust 23, 2022 159 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian Jonquel ‘JJ’ Jones and the Connecticut Sun had a chance to wrap up their playoff series against the Dallas Wings on Sunday, but fell 89-79, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Jones was on the court for 22 minutes and shot 6-for-12 from the field, including one three-point shot, to finish with 20 points. She was perfect from the charity stripe, making all seven of her shots from there.

Jones missed out on a double-double as she pulled down nine rebounds – five defensive rebounds and four offensive rebounds. The reigning Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) also had two blocked shots.

The Sun tried to come back in the fourth quarter. They trailed 76-47 at the end of the third quarter, and the game seemed all but over. The Sun outscored the Wings 32-13 in the fourth quarter but the lead was too large to overcome.

“It’s the playoffs. One minute you’re up, the next minute you’re down, but you have to weather that storm and be ready to play,” Jones said. “We know what we’re capable of. We’re not in panic mode at all. That’s the beauty of winning Game One. We have another opportunity to go out there and close it out. We didn’t handle business tonight, but we have another game, so we’re ready to go.”

It was not the start that the Sun wanted as they dug themselves into a 13-3 hole with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter. The Grand Bahama native missed her two shot attempts in the first quarter and finished scoreless in that period. The Wings led 22-7 after one.

Jones’s first points came via two made free throws by the halfway mark of the second quarter. The Wings led 33-21 at that point. Jones then made her first made field goal of the afternoon which came at the 2:36 mark of the second quarter. She made a layup but the Wings led 40-25. At the end of the first half, it was a 16-point deficit as the Wings led 46-30. Jones finished with seven points in the first half.

Jones scored seven more points in the third quarter giving her 14 after three quarters. The Wings played the same way they did in the first quarter, outscoring the Sun by double digits in the third – 30-17.

The Wings’ lead was so large heading into the fourth quarter that a 22-2 fourth quarter run by the Sun still had them in a 

double-digit deficit.

The win was the Wings’ first playoff victory since 2009. Kayla Thornton scored 17 points for them.

The Sun shot 45.2 percent from the field and made four shots from deep where they shot just 28.6 percent for the game. They were sloppy with the ball as the Wings stole the ball eight times from them. The Wings shot 48 percent from the field, made 11 three-point shots, and finished with 28 assists.

The Wings scored 20 points off their 12 turnovers by the Sun, and the Sun gave up 23 second-chance points.

The Sun pummeled the Wings in Game One, 93-68, to take the 1-0 lead in the best-of-three mini series.

The decisive third game in the series gets underway at 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the College Park Center in Dallas, Texas. That game will be broadcasted on ESPN.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jones-20-points-not-enough-as-sun-lose-to-wings/