August 24, 2022August 24, 2022

The Bahamas finished sixth

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Host country won one gold, two silver and four bronze

Sheldon Longley Send an emailAugust 23, 2022 227 3 minute readFacebook Twitter LinkedIn Share via Email

The Bahamas finished sixth at the 4th Anita Doherty North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Track and Field Championships in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Shaunae Miller-Uibo, center, won gold in the women’s 400m. At left is silver medalist Sada Williams, of Barbados, and at right, is bronze medalist Stephenie Ann McPherson, of Jamaica. Van Dyke Hepburn

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — The Bahamas ended up sixth at the 4th Anita Doherty North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Track and Field Championships which wrapped up Sunday night at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

With four medals in the final session, Team Bahamas finished with seven medals in total – one gold, two silver and four bronze.

Winning the three-day regional meet was the United States of America (USA) with 29 gold, 22 silver and 12 bronze for a total of 63 medals. Jamaica, led by World Champion Shericka Jackson, was a distant second with six gold, nine silver and nine bronze for a total of 24 medals, and Canada rounded out the top three nations with two gold, three silver and nine bronze for 14 medals.

Cuba and Guadeloupe also finished ahead of The Bahamas. Cuba won two gold, one silver and three bronze for six medals and Guadeloupe secured two gold and a bronze for three medals.

The order of finish at the NACAC Championships is based on quality of medals as opposed to quantity.

Managing Director of the local organizing committee (LOC) of the meet, and president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Drumeco Archer said they are very pleased with the results of the meet and the overall running of the entire event.

“I would believe that we would have accomplished our goal, both on and off the track,” said Archer. “Led by Shaunae, TyNia and Devynne, our athletes turned in exceptional performances and we are very proud of all of them. Off the track, the general consensus of our

international guests was one of joy, enthusiasm and complete satisfaction. They all had a good time. I believe that this will go down as the best NACAC Championships to date.”

Winning the gold for The Bahamas was Shaunae Miller-Uibo in a new championships record time of 49.40 seconds. The two silvers came from TyNia Gaither in the women’s 200 meters (m), matching her personal best time of 22.41 seconds, and the women’s 4x100m relay team of Printassia Johnson, Anthonique Strachan, Devynne Charlton and Gaither, in that order, in 43.34 seconds. Charlton won a bronze medal in the women’s 100m hurdles in 12.71 seconds, Donald Thomas won a bronze in the men’s high jump with a clearance of 2.25m (7’ 4-1/2”), Rhema Otabor won a bronze medal in the women’s javelin with a toss of 57.91m (186’), and the men’s 4x400m relay team of Kinard Rolle, Alonzo Russell, Shakeem Smith and Wendell Miller, in that order, won a bronze medal in 3:06.47.

NACAC is one of six area associations under World Athletics that caters to athletes in the North American, Central American and Caribbean region. It is the governing body of athletics in the area.

Some of the greatest athletes in the world hail from the NACAC region, and the area usually produces the most medals and global champions at the world championships or the Olympics.

The seven medals won by The Bahamas is the most by a national team at the NACAC Championships. In 2007 in San Salvador, El Salvador, The Bahamas did not participate. In 2015 in San José, Costa Rica, The Bahamas finished with two silver and three bronze for five medals. At the 2018 NACAC Championships in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, The Bahamas won two bronze medals.

This year, in Freeport, The Bahamas won a gold, two silver and four bronze for a total of seven medals as the host nation. It’s the highest finish ever for The Bahamas in the medal standings at the NACAC Championships.

Also, with more 420 athletes in action, this was the largest NACAC Championships in terms of participation.

A total of 23 championship records were set at the three-day meet.

Ronald Cartwright served as the Head Coach of the team and he was assisted by Tito Moss, Robert Ayton, Jason Larimore and Corrington Maycock. The Team Manager was Renee “Sunshine” Davis.

https://thenassauguardian.com/the-bahamas-finished-sixth/

August 20, 2022August 20, 2022

Jonquel Jones scores 19 in opening win

JONQUEL Jones (35) in action in Game 1 of a WNBA basketball first-round playoff series last night in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photos: Sean D Elliot/The Day via AP)

As of Friday, August 19, 2022

#UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Jonquel Jones had 19 points and eight rebounds, Alyssa Thomas added 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and the Connecticut Sun beat the Dallas Wings 93-68 last night in Game 1 of their first-round series.

#Third-seeded Connecticut pulled away in the third quarter, scoring 13 straight points to build a 64-45 lead. The sixth-seeded Wings went five-plus minutes without a field goal in the third quarter, and the Sun closed the frame on a 17-5 run for an 18-point lead.

#Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Sunday in Uncasville.

#“We’ve been working the entire season to be here, so we don’t want to squander this opportunity,” Jones said of the home-court advantage. “We got to come up with that right intensity.”

#Dijonai Carrington added 13 points and DeWanna Bonner scored 10 points of her 12 points in the first half for Connecticut.

#Dallas scoring leader Arike Ogunbowale sat out because of an abdominal injury. The Wings got a boost when Satou Sabally played in her first game since July 12. Sabally scored 10 points in the first half, including a half-court heave to beat the first-quarter buzzer, but she went scoreless after halftime.

#Allisha Gray led Dallas with 17 points. Tyasha Harris each added 13 points and Marina Mabrey had 11.

August 20, 2022August 20, 2022

Team Bahamas gets set to take on rest of world

ATHLETES work out at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex a day before the start of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships that is expected to feature more than 400 athletes from over 10 countries in the region, including the United States, Jamaica and Cuba. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS

As of Friday, August 19, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunedia.net

#Coach Lonnie Greene said although his first priority is on high hurdles national record holder Devynne Charlton, he is just delighted to be able to assist any Bahamian athlete who needs his help.

#Greene, the head coach at the University of Kentucky, is in Grand Bahama for the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships that is featuring more than 400 athletes from over 10 countries in the region, including the United States, Jamaica and Cuba.

#Although he’s not a part of the Bahamian coaching staff, Greene said wherever there is a need for his service, he is willing to assist Team Bahamas’ 11 women and 17 men who will compete in the NACAC Championships that will be held in memory of the late former athlete/ coach/executive/administrator Anita Doherty from today through Sunday at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

#“After the devastation of Hurricane Dorian, we have to do everything we can as a nation to try and generate commerce, the interest of sports tourism, to help Grand Bahama get back to normal,” Greene said.

#“I don’t think people take into consideration what it takes to bounce back from a hurricane. It could be earthquakes, it could be a tornado, whatever. Bouncing back isn’t easy and being able to generate heads in beds and getting dollars into local companies is vital.”

#So, when it was announced that NACAC would take the championships to Grand Bahama, Greene pegged it on his schedule for him and Charlton to attend. Charlton, a graduate assistant at the University of Kentucky, opened the season by winning the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships, placed seventh at the World Championships in Birmingham, England after her national record of 12.40 in the semifinals before she picked up another silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

#“She’s having a phenomenal year,” Greene pointed out. “At the end of the day, her performances have all been legal. People could question windy performances if they want to, but I always tell people, if the wind is at your back, you run faster, but the wheels still have to turn. “A person could run fast and break the world record in windy conditions, but the wheel still has to turn for them to run that fast. Devynne has run 12.40s and I always thought she had that in her and possibly she can run 12.30s by the time we get to the Grand Prix Finals.”

#Greene, who first recruited Charlton to run for him as the head coach at Purdue University where she had a stellar collegiate career with the Boilermakers, said the goal is to get her to finish off the year strong, get some rest and do it all over again next year. But he said there’s nothing like competing at home. “The people in the stands will be cheering for her,” he pointed out. “Ninety percent of the crowd will be pulling for the 242. It’s like Team USA. When they came out to the World Championships in Eugene, the crowd went crazy.

#“In this great nation of us called the Bahamas, we’re home in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The way they look at it, it’s the Bahamas versus the rest of the world. That’s how they will compete. Their national pride is going to come forth. Bahamians are proud people. They will be there to cheer on the Bahamians.”

#While the lineup is expected to be a pretty good one for the women’s 100m hurdles, Greene said the goal is to get Charlton back on the podium and hopefully this time it will be on the top as the gold medallist.

#Although he only had a short time, Greene said he was also glad to give some pointers to Shakeem Smith, who will be representing the Bahamas in the men’s 400m hurdles at the championships.

#Smith is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and is now venturing onto the pro circuit.

August 20, 2022August 20, 2022

Shaunae Miller-Uibo breezes into 400m final

Shaunae Miller-Uibo at the starting line. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
Shaunae Miller-Uibo at the starting line. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

As of Friday, August 19, 2022
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BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net.

# FREEPORT, Grand Bahama: Bahamian two-time Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo breezed to victory in the 400m Women’s semi-final at the NACAC Championships on Friday morning at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport.

#The 28-year-old Miller-Uibo looked relaxed and as always showed her Bahamian pride with her “pretty cute” ombre aquamarine-coloured hair.  

The first heat of the semi-finals started shortly after 9:30am, with Miller-Uibo running in lane four.

Conditions were hot but breezy and Grand Bahama fans packed the stadium early to see the quarter-miler in action on the track.

Miller-Uibo will run in the finals of the 400m on Saturday at 6.15 pm.

photo

Shaunae Miller-Uibo leading the pack.

“I just give God all the thanks and praise,” she said after winning her heat. This is going to be my last one for the season and it’s no better place to do it than home.”

“When I came in for the first rounds today, I just wanted to take it easy and get ready for the finals tomorrow.”

Miller-Uibo, the world champion quarter-miler, plans to start training for the 200 metres.

When asked whether she still wanted to give up the 400m, she said: “You know, a lot of people took it wrong, we said we are going to start training for the 200 metres, and we are still going to do the 400m throughout the season.

“It’s just we are going to get a little bit more speed based on this and focus on the 200m. But you know I love the 400. It is my favourite event and the best of them. It is the one thing I am not just going to give up.”

Miller-Uibo said that she plans to go out and do her best in the finals for the Grand Bahamian fans on Saturday.

“For me, it is just going out there and giving my all, putting on a show for the Bahamian crowd, she stated. This is my last one for the season and you know we really have not been training these last few weeks, and so I just want to come out here and put on a show.”

Known for her beautiful, flamboyantly-coloured hair, Miller-Uibo said she enjoys giving a little Bahamian flavour to her hairstyle.

“I just have fun with it like I always do, and so it came out pretty cute,” she said. “Today I just wanted…to get a little bit of the Bahamian colours in it.”

Miller-Uibo admits that conditions were hotter than expected and that she is looking forward to the evening sessions on Saturday when she is scheduled to compete in the 400m Final, and on Sunday in the Women’s Relay final.

“It is a lot more humid than I think all of us expected, but I made the best of it,” she said of her semi-final on Friday morning.

When asked about the field of competitors, Miller-Uibo said: “You know we always bring a good field of girls and some of the best athletes in the 400m and the NACAC region, and so I expect the finals to be pretty good.

“We have a lot of our girls who made the finals at the World Champs as well, and so I am looking forward to it, and today I think everyone ran pretty decent just to make it through the rounds,” she stated.

On a more personal note, Miller-Uibo says a prayer before her race.

“I just say a prayer to God and just kind go from there. I don’t have specific things that I do to get ready. It’s just about going out there and having some fun. And you are more in that focused mindset and it is just pretty much what you’ve been training for all season long. You just want to make sure you execute it correctly and kind of relax.”

Miller-Uibo keeps a lean physique and when asked about her diet, she said. “After this, I will go a little crazy but for now it is kind of the same, not too strict, but not loose either. I try keeping a balanced diet,” she said.

She is often told by people and fans that she looks bigger on television.

“Everyone always says that and I am like, wow, ’cause I always watch myself too on the screen… but I get that all the time,” she said.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/19/shaunae-miller-uibo-breezes-400m-final/?news

August 20, 2022August 20, 2022

NACAC Championships: Outstanding performances on day one

LEFT: LaQuan Nairn soaring in Grand Bahama. RIGHT: Shaunae Miller-Uibo at the starting line. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

As of Friday, August 19, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#FREEPORT, Grand Bahama: Day one of the North American, Central American and Caribbean 2022 Anita Doherty Championships got off to a scorching start in the blazing heat on Friday at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex and produced some outstanding performances.

#Vashti Cunningham achieved a championship record of 6-feet, 31/2-inches or 1.92 metres to lead a 1-2 American finish in the women’s high jump and Gabrielle Jennings produced another record in nine minutes and 24.36 seconds for a clean sweep of the women’s 3,000 steeplechase.

#In finals featuring Bahamians, Kaiwan Culmer, coming off his seventh place finish at the Commonwealth Games, just missed a spot on the podium in the men’s triple jump with his fourth place with 51-0 ¼ (15.55m), while Kristen Hanna was sixth with 45-6 1/4 (13.87m).

#American Chris Benard won the gold with 53-9 3/4 (16.40m), followed by Jah Nhai Perinchief of Bermuda with 52-1 ¾ (15.89m) for silver and Taeco O’Garro of Antigua got the bronze with 51-6 ¼ (15.70m).

#Bahamian Tahejee Thurston had to settle for sixth place in the women’s hammer with her best toss of 180 (54.86m) on her second attempt.

#The Americans took the gold and silver with Janee Kassanavoid in the top spot with 234-7 (71.51m) and Brooke Andersen following with 25-3 (68.66m), while Jillian Weir of Canada claimed the bronze with 217-12 (66.20m).

#World indoor and Commonwealth Games’ silver medalist Devynne Charlton got nipped at the tape by American Tonea Marshall (12.75) in the second of the two heats of the women’s 100m hurdles as she clocked 12.76 for the fourth fastest time for Saturday’s final at 5:40 pm. Jamaican Megan Tapper took the first heat in the fastest time of 12.62. Denisha Cartwright was sixth in the heat in 13.56, but didn’t advance.

#“My start could have been a lot better, but it was a clean race and I didn’t hit any hurdles and I think I worked well on the back end to put myself in it,” Charlton said. “I felt the pressure of her (Marshall) next to me, but I had to keep my composure and keep myself steady and run my own race.”

#Cartwright, who was coming off her double sprint appearance at the Commonwealth Games, said it was good for her to return to her specialty, but it wasn’t the type of performance she had anticipated.

Holland Martin landing in the pit.

#In another close finish, Tynia Gaither earned her berth in Sunday’s final of the women’s 200m with her second place in the preliminaries in 22.82 behind American Brittany Brown, who took the tape in 22.82.

#“I was pretty relaxed. Didn’t want to do too much. It’s been a long season, so I try to be smart in my runs, but I will be ready for the final,” said Gaither, who finished with the third fastest qualifying time.

#Ian Kerr also got second in his heat of the men’s 200m preliminaries in 20.89 as he trailed American Josephus Lyles, who won in 20.29. It was the sixth fastest time for Sunday’s final at 4pm for Kerr, who predicted that he will run something fast.

#“I really tried to stay composed and execute my race from start to finish, especially coming off the curve,” said Kerr, who noted that he heard the cheers from his family in the stands. “The first 110 was really important for me to set myself up to finish the race nice and strong.”

Janae Ambrose

#Olympic and champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the cream of the crop in the women’s 400m, breezed through the semi-final with the fastest qualifying time of 50.84 seconds in winning the first of two heats.

#“I just give God thanks and praise. There’s no better place to be competing than at home, so I’m looking forward to getting ready for the final,” said Miller-Uibo as she looked ahead to the showdown at 6.15 pm on Saturday.

#However, she dispelled the comments that she’s done running the 400m. She noted that her comments were originally taken out of context when she said she was just going to start training for the 200m.

#“We’re still going to be doing the 400m,” Miller-Uibo proclaimed, adding that she’s just going to get some more speed in the 200m, but as the world’s best in the 400m, she said “I’m not just going to give up on it.”

#Barbados’ Sada Williams, the Commonwealth Games champion, pulled off heat two in the second fastest qualifying time of 51.48.

#Bahamian Janae Ambrose, fifth in the second heat, had the 11th fastest time of 57.58. “It was alright, but it was just so hot,” said Williams, who noted that in competing in her first NACAC Championships, she’s “looking forward to it”. “It’s hot,” she said. “I’m looking forward to this championships and the final tomorrow.”

#She added that it’s going to be interesting matched up against Miller-Uibo – the first time that they will face other in a final. Looking forward to running another 49 seconds, Williams said: “I know she will push me.”

#Two Bahamians advanced from the qualifying rounds of the men’s long jump with Commonwealth Games champion LaQuan Nairn having the fifth best leap of 24-5 ½ (7.45) on his first and only attempt and Grand Bahamian Holland Martin taking the 10th spot with 23-6 ¾ (7.18m) on his second attempt.

Kinard Rolle

#“I felt good about it,” said Nairn as he prepares for the finale on Sunday at 3pm on the final day of competition. “We had a slight head wind, so I just wanted to come out here and qualify for the final.

#“I feel really confident, just coming off the Commonwealth win. I’m extremely excited to be jumping in front of my family and the home crowd. I’m looking forward to winning it on Sunday.”

#Martin, a Grand Bahamian native, said he wished that he would have done better, but he was satisfied with his effort, getting into the final.

#“We had a slight head wind with some problems with all of our approaches, but we made a lot of adjustments,” Martin said. “I gladly made the adjustments in my last two attempts. Hopefully in the finals, it won’t be the same thing.”

#The top qualifier was Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle with (7.83m) on his first attempt.

#Shakeem Smith advanced to Sunday’s final at 3.35pm with the seventh best time of 50.55 with his fourth place in the first of two heats, but Andre Colebrooke just missed out in the second heat with fifth in 53.27 for ninth overall.

#“I just came out here to execute and advance to the final,” Smith said. “The race was pretty smooth. Could have been way better but I hope to improve on it once we get in the final.”

#In falling short of getting into the final, Colebrooke said he made some mistakes and he paid for it.

#“I should have taken it out a little harder,” he said. “But, for next time, you will see me go much faster.”

#CJ Allen of the USA had the fastest qualifying time of 48.76.

#Also, Kinard Rolle was the lone Bahamian entered in the men’s 400m qualifying rounds. He placed third in the first heat in 47.86 for the seventh time to advance to Saturday’s final at 6:25pm. Alonzo Russell didn’t start in heat two.

#The fastest qualifier was Christopher Taylor in 45.50 just ahead of compatriot Nathon Allen in 45.85.

#“It’s good to make it to the final on home soil. Thank God for that,” Rolle said. “Thank everyone for coming out here to support me this morning, even though it was early. I appreciate that.”

#The three-day meet was officially opened by Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. Also in attendance were Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Ginger Moxey, the Minister for Grand Bahama, along with NACAC president Mike Sands and BAAA’s president Drumeco Archer.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/19/nacac-championships-outstanding-performances-day-o/?news

August 19, 2022August 19, 2022

Athletes arrive for NACAC

As of Thursday, August 18, 2022

#By DENISE MAYCOCK

#Tribune Freeport Reporter

#dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

#AS athletes from around the world continue to arrive in Grand Bahama for the NACAC Championships, members of Team Bahamas participated in a motorcade through the City of Freeport on Wednesday.

#Some 40 athletes from The Bahamas will be competing at this year’s championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, August 19-21.

#The motorcade left the Lucaya area around 4pm. Three flatbed trucks, outfitted with Team Bahamas banners, were escorted by members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

#It is hoped that the motorcade would bring some hype to draw support from the Grand Bahama community.

#As the procession made its way to the downtown area on Pioneer’s Way, spectators greeted the athletes and waved their Bahamian flags.

#The motorcade also travelled as far as Queen’s Highway. The route also included areas of West Mall Drive, West Atlantic Drive, East Mall Drive, Coral Road, and East Sunrise Highway.

#The motorcade ended at the Port Lucaya Marketplace, where a Cultural Explosion was held for the athletes.

#Athletes from Mexico and Cuba arrived on Wednesday. Most of the competitors are being accommodated at the Grand Lucaya Resort.

#This is the first time that a major athletic event such as the NACAC Championships is being held in Grand Bahama. It is expected to set the stage for future events as the island seeks to become “the events and entertainment capital of The Bahamas”.

#Photos: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2022/aug/18/athletes-arrive-nacac/?news

August 19, 2022August 19, 2022

Gaither eager to sprint in front of home crowd

GO TEAM: Team Bahamas members participated in a motorcade throughout the City of Freeport yesterday as athletes from around the world continue to arrive in Grand Bahama for the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex this weekend. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn/BIS

As of Thursday, August 18, 2022

#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunedia.net

#National 100 metre champion Tynia Gaither, one of at least four Grand Bahamian natives on Team Bahamas, said there’s nothing like being home to compete.

#Team Bahamas will include 11 female and 17 male competitors who will be participating in the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships this weekend at the refurbished Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Grand Bahama.

#Coming off her seventh-place finish at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, in the 100m two weeks ago after she got a false start two weeks earlier at the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Gaither said she’s here to represent the Bahamas to the best of her ability.

#“I feel good. I’m blessed that the event is being hosted here. I think it’s a blessing for the whole country with the smaller island being showcased,” Gaither said. “So, I’m just excited to compete in front of my family and friends.”

#In a relaxed mood at the Games Village before they participated in a motorcade through the streets of Grand Bahama, Gaither said everything is shaping up to what is anticipated to

#be a great meet from Friday to Sunday with more than 400 athletes from 15 countries in the region participating.

#The 29-year-old Gaither is entered in the 200m where she is listed at number five in performances from athletes registered to compete. Heading the list is world champion Shericka Jackson from Jamaica. Jackson also tops the 100m list that includes her fellow training partner and Bahamian Anthonique Strachan.

#Coming off an injury, Strachan is posted at number six.

#Going into the meet, Gaither said the goal is always to run a personal best. “I know if I do that when I line up, things should fall into place,” she said.

#“But most importantly. I want to enjoy the moment. We don’t always get to host meets like this in Grand Bahama, so I really want to soak up this moment and enjoy it.”

#With the field of competitors expected to line up for the event, Gaither said the Bahamian public can expect to witness a tremendous show.

#“Each event will be stacked,” she noted. “So, you can expect to see the best of the best from the region. So, it’s definitely a meet worth coming out, bringing your family out and just cheering on Team Bahamas as we run, jump and throw to the best of our abilities.”

#Gaither and Strachan will be joined by Olympic and world champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the top contender in the women’s 400m at 49.11 this year, along with national record holder Devynne Charlton, the world indoor silver medallist, World Championship finalist and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, who is listed at number three in the women’s 100m hurdles.

#Other members on the women’s side for Team Bahamas are Printassia Johnson, an added competitor in the 100m with Strachan, Jenae Ambrose, who will compete in the 400m with Miller-Uibo, Denisha Cartwright, who will compete alongside Charlton in the 100m hurdles, Tamara Myers in the women’s triple jump, Rhema Otabor in the women’s javelin, Tahejee Thurston in the hammer and Camille Rutherford on the 4 x 100m relay team.

#On the men’s side, Grand Bahamians Donald Thomas in the high jump, Alonzo Russell in the 400m and Holland Martin in the long jump, will lead the parade of stars in the absence of injured 400m Olympic and world champion Steven Gardiner.

#Commonwealth Games’ long jump gold medallist LaQuan Nairn is a part of the rest of the delegation that includes:

#Samson Colebrooke (100m); Ian Kerr (200m); Bradley Dormeus (400m); Xavier Coakley (110m hurdles); Andre Colebrooke (400m hurdles); Shakeem Smith (400m hurdles); Kaiwan Culmer (triple jump); Kristen Hanna (triple jump); Shaun Miller Jr (high jump); Keyshawn Strachan (javelin); Antoine Andrews (relay); Carlos Brown (relay); Wanya McCoy (relay); Wendell Miller (relay) and Kinard Rolle (relay).

#Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ president Drumeco Archer said he’s pleased with the collection of stars that will represent the Bahamas at home against the best in the region.

#“Team Bahamas has arrived in Grand Bahama and we have assembled what we believe is the best team possible, with the exception of Steven Gardiner, who is injured,” Archer said.

#“We have Shaunae Miller- Uibo, who just ran 49.11 seconds at the World Championships and LaQuan Nairn, who won the men’s long jump at the Commonwealth Games and Devynne Charlton, who won the silver medal (in the 100m hurdles). So, I think with all of the other athletes added, we have a super team here for the championships.”

#Archer, who serves as the managing director of the Local Organising Committee, said all of the teams should be in Grand Bahama by today.

#He noted that Cuba was the first to arrive yesterday and the majority of the athletes from the other countries were coming in via a Bahamasair charter out of Miami, Florida into Grand Bahama.

#The United States of America, according to Archer, is coming with more than 100 athletes, coaches and dignitaries, the largest of any delegation.

#Athletes will be competing for prize money of $2,000 for gold, $1,000 for silver and $500 for bronze. The winners of all events, with the exception of the walk and relays, will receive a wild-card entry into the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, both in 2023.

#“It’s going to be a big weekend here in Grand Bahama and everything is in place to ensure that this is a first-class event,” Archer stated.

#“We want to make this the biggest and best NACAC Championships that has ever been held.”

#While she’s glad to be home competing, Gaither said she intends to join some of the other visitors to Grand Bahama who are expected to stay behind and relax after the meet.