Balancing athletics and academics…Jevina Straker aims for

By Tamica Garnett

It was at the start of 2007 that easygoing Tutorial High School second form student Jevina Straker burst onto the athletics scene; placing first or second at several meets before walking away with gold at the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG).

Jevina recently sat down with Stabroek Sport to talk about being named a ‘hopeful’ for both the Youth Olympic Games and Central America and Caribbean Games and how she balances athletics with academics particularly as she prepares to write the CSEC examinations.

All that glitters is gold! A beaming Jevina Straker shows off her awards.

After a mere three years in the arena, the ambitious 16-year-old has accumulated a number of accolades, and backed by close-knit family, friends and coach Leslie Black, she continues to make her mark on the athletics stage. Jevina trains at the Rising Stars Athletic Club and, based on her accomplishments, is looking forward to a bright future.

Jevina the Athlete

Like many prominent athletes, Jevina discovered her passion for sport at school. She participated in the inter-school championships with no greater aim than to claim victory for her school and soon realised a growing zeal for the sport. At the Annual Schools Athletics Nationals, Jevina and three team-mates won first place in the Under-16 4x400m relay. Though this race did not give her an opportunity to display her sparkling talent, those with a keen eye for athletics needed no replay to identify potential on the move. Before this, the only co-curricular activity Jevina participated in was dancing. 

After being coached by Black, Jevina won first place in the 800m in the IGG in May 2008. Next was the Hampton Games in Trinidad and Tobago, where she brought home the gold in the 800m and, coming full circle, the youngster then ended her year at the Nationals where she placed second in the 800m and third in the 1500m in the Under-14 category.

Jevina then continued her excellent streak in 2009, contributing in eight meets. She blazed a trail of stellar performances starting with a second place medal in the 2009 Cross Country Championship held in January, then won two gold medals in the Under-16 800m and 1500m at the IGG in May, followed by a first place finish in the 4×400 relay.

At the CARIFTA Games, the then 15-year-old made her country proud by being the only athlete on the team to earn a gold medal. She won that accolade in the Under-16 1500m. Then in the 800m Jevina attained the qualifying time needed to attend the IAAF World Youth Championships which was held in Italy, but could not participate due to her age.

Nevertheless, Jevina took it all in stride and did not let it dampen her performance in the Women’s Division Prime Minister’s 10km Road Race in Antigua/Barbuda. She came in second to club-mate Alika Morgan. Then in July, she stepped up her game at the Hampton Games placing first in the 800m and second in the 1500m. This was followed by two successive firsts in the junior category of the South American 10k Road Classic 1 and 2, held in Guyana. And, at her third consecutive attendance at Nationals she copped second in the 10k road race and three firsts in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m in the Under-16 category. It was these commendable performances that led to her being crowned 2009 Nationals Junior Champion Girl and the 2009 Junior Sportswoman of the Year.

Academics

With her long list of accomplishments in athletics, Stabroek Sport asked Jevina how she balanced it with her academics, particularly as she prepares for CSEC. The star’s mother Patricia Straker, was quick to point out that though adjustments had to be made due to her increased workload, Jevina is managing well. “As a matter of fact even though she is writing her exams she (Jevina) is still practising in the morning. Her brother drops her off every morning to go and practise,” she said.

Jevina has also limited her participation in games this year to focus on her studies. She has only participated in one developmental meet and the CARIFTA Games and has opted out of the IGG. A proud and dominant figure in her daughter’s life, Patricia Straker said Jevina has a lot of support to help her achieve her endeavours in both areas. “We help her a lot, her brother always helps her with her research and sometimes I have to be returning library books just so she gets her time to study,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Black said he has also impressed upon his athletes that they must put their academics first. He said since athletics in Guyana even with international exposure, does not promise a lucrative career it is vital that athletes consider options outside of this field.

 Jevina has already completed two of the eight CSEC subjects that she has signed up for and she expects to do well in her exams. She had expressed hopes of pursuing medicine and has also considered following in her mother’s footsteps and becoming an architect. The youngster again said she was grateful for all the support and encouragement from well-wishers as she now focuses on making her mark in the academic field.