Star Performers Classic Provides Hopefuls Opportunities
To Tune Up for Carifta 2013
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| Star Trackers Relay Team @ Star Performers Classic |
The 10th Star Performers Track Classic was held on Saturday, February 2nd with some encouraging results.
The meet has had athletes from the USA and the Caribbean for some time, giving it an international feel, which is so important to Bahamian Carifta hopefuls. They can compete with some of their eventual Carifta competitors early in the season, giving them an opportunity to experience international competition.
Athletes from over 40 clubs and schools hailed from Barbados, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mainland USA, New Providence, Grand Bahama, Moore’s Island, Harbour Island, Eleuthera, and Andros.
The meet announcer was Michael Jules from Barbados who is one of the best in the region. He definitely excites the crowd.
This was the eighth consecutive year that Mr. J.R. McDonald, through his companies Baker Concrete International, and Greyco Limited, are sponsoring the meet. Kudos to Mr. McDonald.
Carifta Qualifiers:
Girls U-20 100m Hurdles- Q-14.42sec
Devynne Charlton 3rd 14.33sec
Boys U-20 110m Hurdles- Q-14.22sec
Kirk Lewis 1st- 14.12sec
Girls U-17 100m Q-12.06sec
Jenae Ambrose 1st 12.03sec
Girls U-20 100m Q- 11.90sec
Carmiesha Cox 11.86sec
Kienna Albury 2nd 11.88sec
Boys U-17 400m Q-49.80sec
Henri Delauze 1st 49.41sec
Girls U-17 High Jump Q-1.60m
Bria Sands 1st 1.60m
Boys U-17 HJ Q- 1.83m
Ken Mullings 1st 1.95m
Boys U-20 HJ Q-2.00m
LaQuan Nairn- 1st 2.05m
Girls U-17 LJ Q- 5.42m
Andira Ferguson 1st 5.42m
Girls U-17 SP Q-12.00m
Brashae Wood 1st 12.96m
In the Girls U-20 100m Hurdles St. Jago out of Jamaica had Chrisdale McCarthy run 13.83sec and Francis Shenell run 14.12sec.
USA College Coach Recruit
Coach Devin West of Florida State University was in the stadium recruiting talent.
After the meet Mr. J.R. McDonald said” I believe we had a very successful meet! I applaud the National Sports Authority for allowing us to use the facilities.”
“It is a world class facility and the kids had a phenomenal time”.
“To have twelve Carifta qualifiers is great. It was a very successful meet and it went off well. There was a good turnout with great entertainment and great fun. I hope the community gets behind the kids and buy tickets. There are great opportunities for the kinds and I am very pleased.”
Coming Together
If you were in the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Saturday you would certainly get the feeling that you would not want to miss Carifta 2013.
The organization of the meet, which is normally top class, seemed to move up another notch.
It gives us the feeling that come March 30th when the Carifta 2013 competition will begin The Bahamas will have a superb team!
Coach Patrick Adderley of The Valley Boys assembled “The Junkanoo Congos”, group that made some feel as if the Games were actually going on. They stayed in the stands and did not have costumes but sounded quite good.
Sponsorships
The Games cannot be successful without the financial support of corporate Bahamas. On Friday it was announced that Caribbean Bottling Limited, Bahamian Brewery, Super Value and The Rotary Clubs of Nassau.
More significant partnerships are expected to be announced in the next week.
The Bahamas Government is a significant partner donating a cash infusion as well as much value in kind.
Carifta Talent Search
The BAAA Talent Search Committee headed by Keith Parker and Harrison Petty were pleased to have the generous contribution of the Star Trackers Club, organizers of the meet, which had its tenth anniversary, to provide a generous contribution of airfare and hotel accommodation for the following athletes from some of the Family Islands. The athletes were identified by their Physical Education teachers.
One of the principles of the Talent Search Program is to find athletes from other sports and introduce them to Track and Field.
The following athletes were:
Harbour Island All Age School
Roderick Bullard- 100m, 200m, LJ & TJ
Dillon Cash- 800m, 1500m
Again Imalach- 200m, 400m, TJ
Eddira Johnson- 100m, 200m, 400m, LJ
All these athletes were competing in Track & Field in the capital for the very first time!
The Physical Education Teacher is Sharon Cox.
Preston Albury High
Juan Armbrister- High Jump- Jumped 6’3”
Physical Education Teacher- Janie Williams
North Eleuthera High
Aaron Cox- First time in competition, 100m, 200m,400m, TJ
Deshawn Seymour- competed in 2012 Colina Carifta Trials-LJ, TJ
Coach- Dominic Hall, Math Teacher
Mangrove Cay
Keith Robinson- 200m, LJ
Cameron Parker- 800m, 1500m
Physical Education Teacher- Asleine Alce
Throws
You would notice that none of the above athletes participated in any of the throws.
One of the principles of the Talent Search Program is to look for athletes who participate in softball or baseball and are able to throw.
Lavern Eve who holds the Bahamian Javelin record and was a finalist in the Olympic Games and World Championships has joined the Search team and assisted in the search two weeks ago. About twenty-two athletes threw the softball. Eve is impressed with the turnout and their talent. She intends to provide them with some tips and training up to the Carifta Trials.
This coming weekend Eve will travel to Grand Bahama to search for throwing talent.
Ronald Cartwright will travel to the North Andros High School Invitation to do the same thing.
By the time of the Trials the weekend of March 15th& 16th, most of the Family Islands will have been visited.
Optimism
We are quite happy of where we are right now in terms of organizational, financial, and team preparation for Carifta 2013.
All we need now is for you to get involved by purchasing your tickets early. We feel that we will have an overflowing Thomas A Robinson National Stadium for Carifta 2013 with fans coming from The United States, The Caribbean, and of course, our Family Islands.
For your ticket and other relevant Carifta 2013 information check out www.carifta2013.com.
3rd February 2013
Alpheus Finlayson
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