High Jump athlete Shakeem Gentle set a new record for the boys under 16 category when he cleared a height of 180cm in the National Schools’ Championships held at the Guyana National Stadium on Wednesday.
Gentle erased the previous 174cm record set by Carlon Pitt in 2007; adding some important points to North Georgetown District 11, which, with 35 points, was tied with District 4 in the fifth position by the end of 14 finals in the track and field events.
Leading the Districts by the end of 14 finals was Rupununi’s District 9 with 80 points, District 10 followed closely behind with 73 points, District 6 stood at third with 58 points and District 5 in fourth place with 53 points.
In other field events on Wednesday night, District 11’s boys’ under 20 shot put defending champion Hilton Moore was dethroned as his 10.88m throw was outclassed by that of District 3’s Troy Lewis, whose best throw covered a distance of 10.96m. Moore came way down in third after his throw was also overpowered by District 10’s Godfrey La Rose and his 10.93m best throw.
And, on the track, Jevina Sampson and Jevina Straker emerged winners of the girls 800m under 14 and under 18 categories respectively.
The night ended with 100m finals and saw wins scattered across the districts. District 10’s Winston Caesar, who won the boys under 20 category, was overjoyed by his win. Speaking with Stabroek Sport, Caesar said everything felt good for his race and he was not all that surprised by his win.
Meanwhile, over in the girls’ under-14 category Ashley Tasher was disappointed with her win. She said she believed that she could have done better to improve her timing. According to reports, Tasher finished the race in 12.70s.
Also, District 4’s Chavez Ageday won the boys’ under 18 category, and District 11’s Tiffany Carto and Letitia Myles won the girls’ under 18 and under 20 categories respectively.
