The cream of the nation’s teen athletes vying for spots on the CARIFTA Games outfit will clash with the seasoned seniors tomorrow at the National Track and Field Centre.
According to President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson, keen rivalry is expected at the Edinburg edifice where athletes are set to get into the blocks from 10:00hrs.
“The senior athletes will be coming up against our junior athletes who are in final preparation for the CARIFTA Games scheduled for the Bahamas in a month’s time” said Hutson yesterday. The AAG boss stated that the association is looking to have ‘great matchups’.
He singled out the fastest male and female junior duo, Tianna Springer and Ezekiel Newton, both of whom made the qualifying standard for the blue riband events ahead of the annual showpiece set for April 7-10 at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau.
“We are looking to have great match ups, Springer against Keliza (Smith) in the 200m and Newton against Akeem Stewart in the 100m. We expect great competition, most of our seniors did not have much competition over the last couple of weeks, so this is an opportunity for them to come out and compete in their respective events.” Hutson opined that tomorrow’s meet will provide the test needed for the teens since it will simulate the kind of competition they will come up against at CARIFTA.
“This is a test for both sets of athletes in the sense that our senior sprinters will provide the kind of competition that the junior athletes will see once they get to CARIFTA and also display the level of fitness for the seniors. So we are providing them both with the competition that they need.” Notes: Only the 100m and 200m events will be contested in heats and finals. The other events will be timed finals. During the NSC Junior League two weeks ago, eight athletes made the qualifying standard for CARIFTA. They were sprinters, Newton, Springer, Malachai Austin and Athaley Hinckson.
Middle distance maestros, and medalists at last year’s CARIFTA Games in Jamaica, Attoya Harvey and Javon Roberts along with jumpers, Tamera Harvey and Ezekiel Saul.
