Optimism high for historic CARIFTA Games medal haul

Hutson, Taylor-Trim and coaches optimistic about historic CARIFTA Games medal haul…

President of the local athletic association, Aubrey Hutson along with the manager and the coaches of the 18-member CARIFTA Games outfit collectively agreed that the unit can create history when they represent the 592 at this weekend’s event here in the Bahamas.

The largest and arguably one of the strongest teams to compete at the Region’s premier Junior Track and Field event came in for high praises before even getting into the blocks.

“Let’s us look to watch the Guyana flag fly high at CARIFTA,” said Hutson prior to the team’s departure on Wednesday.

“I am very optimistic that we will do historic things at this Championship,” he added, “We have continued to excel year after year, and I am confident that this team will make us proud by performing at their best and returning with hardware.”

Last year in Curacao, the 12-member team bagged a record eight medals, four gold, one silver, three bronze, as compared to 2016, when they finished with a total of five medals, three silver and two bronze.

Hutson opined that this year’s team spearheaded by global and Regional medal winners, Daniel Williams, Chantoba Bright, Deshanna Skeete and Claudrice McKoy can surpass that medal count.

Meanwhile, manager of the team, Mayfield Taylor-Trim had this to say.

“We are going as Ambassadors and we are going to achieve the goals we have set, and that is to come out winners. With your prayers we will succeed.”

Coach Moses Pantlitz described the charges as “the Best CARIFTA team ever” and expects them to live up to the hype surrounding the team.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the other coach on the sojourn, Niall Stanton.