As expected, the Commonwealth Youth Games record breaking relay quartet dominated in their individual events when the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) trials was staged at the Police Progressive Youth Club ground yesterday.
Track standouts, Tianna Springer, Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson and Javon Roberts made hay in the brilliant sunshine, recording scintillating wins in their respective races.
Springer, the CARIFTA Games, South America U-20 Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games 400m gold medalist, expectedly crossed the line in first place in the quarter mile event in 57.0s which McPherson finished second in 58.71s.
McPherson however ran away with the spoils if the 800m in 2:28.0s.
Springer, the 16-year-old track prodigy then returned to record a sprint double, coasting to victory in the 200m in 24.51s.
Roberts also recorded a double, winning his 800m (2:08s) and 1500m (4:35s) races.
Austin won the male version of the 400m event in 50.81s and finished third in the 200m which was won by Ezekiel Newton in 21.20s.
Springer, Austin, McPherson and Roberts were the gold medal, history making mixed 4x400m quartet that competed at the Commonwealth Youth Games last month in Trinidad.
Jaheel Cornette (10.30s) and Athaleya Hinckson (11.74s) won the respective men’s and women’s blue riband 100m sprint events.
Meanwhile, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle who was on hand to witness proceedings, stated that he was impressed with the level of competition on display.
Ninvalle added that he is confident of the athletes keeping the tradition alive by dominating their Dutch and French speaking rivals in the field and on the track when this year’s Games is staged in Suriname from October 26-31.
Thirteen males and 13 females will form Guyana’s athletic team of which Springer, McPherson, Austin and Roberts will headline.
“I expect the tracks and field athletes and the entire Team Guyana to do well” said Ninvalle in an invited comment.
The DoS then reminded of the number of disciplines that will be contested and further disclosed that a Protocol Agreement was recently signed among the territories, essentially establishing a set framework for a more effective and efficient operations.
This year, 10 disciplines will be contested during the Games which involves Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. They are Track and Field, Badminton, Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Tennis, Table Tennis, Futsal, Chess and Swimming.
Ninvalle also revealed that the disciplines of basketball and football will involve players 17 and under, while the other disciplines will cater for athletes 18 and under. (Emmerson Campbell)
