The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A 40-member team is scheduled to leave town on Thursday to represent the Bahamas at the Caribbean Union of Teachers Track and Field Championships in Kingston, Jamaica, this weekend.

The championships was a result of the CUT’s recognition of the need to provide the young athletes aged 8-15 years with some regional competition. There was also recognition by the CUT that sports has a significant role to play in the regional integration process.

The CUT’s biennial championships was first organised in Barbados in 1986. Last year, it was held in St Kitts. This year’s championships was originally scheduled for the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium but has been moved to Jamaica.

Head coach Bernard Rolle said they are excited about the prospects for the team this weekend. He noted that there are a number of competitors who participated in the championships before and there are others who are making their debut.

“We’re going into Jamaica with high expectations,” he said. “The Jamaicans, the Trinidadians and Barbadians, they all have a thing going as they are trying to out do each other, but we’re going there to be the spoilers. We’re going there to the championship and we feel we have a talented bunch of athletes who are capable of doing that.”

Looking at the team, Rolle said it’s fairly balanced, but they should have an edge in the under-15 girls and boys divisions. However, he said the other divisions are not too far behind.

Andira Ferguson, making her second appearance at the championships, will have her work cut out for her in the under-15 girls division as she contests the 100 and 200 meters, the long jump and runs on the 4 x 100 relay team.

“This year, so far I have the second best time this year in that division, so I’m looking forward to winning the gold and dropping my times to at least 12.10 in the 100 and at least 25 in the 200,” she said.

As for the team, Rolle said they have a “very strong team” and they should have a good chance of winning the title.

D’Arjha Davis, who will compete in the under-9 girls 80m, long jump, cricket ball and as a part of the 4 x 100 relay team, said her goal is to do her best.

“This is my first time representing the Bahamas,” said the eight-year-old. “I’m going to try my best.”

Jaquante Green, a 14-year-old competing in the boys under-15 100 and 200m as well as the 4 x 100 relay, said he’s looking forward to winning a gold and making the Bahamas proud.

“This is my first national trip, but I feel we have a good team. We just hope to go out there and do our best,” he said.

And Godfrey Arthur, a veteran of three CUT championships, said he just wants to go to Jamaica and do his best. “I want to go there and break a couple of records,” he said. “Having been there before, I know what the competition is going to be like, so I’ve trained hard for it.”

Here’s a look at the team heading to Jamaica:

Under-9 girls

D’Arjha Davis (80m, long jump, cricket ball and 4 x 100 relay); Makala Lewis (150m and 4 x 100 relay); Ariana Strachan (4 x 100 relay) and N’Kel Russell (4 x 100 relay)

Under 9 boys

Otto Laing (80 and 150m, 4 x 100 relay); Justin Brooks (4 x 100 relay); Malcolm Williams (4 x 100 relay) and Antonio Bethel (4 x 100 relay)

Under-11 girls

Jaida Knowles (100 and 200m, 4 x 100 relay); M’Kayla White (400m, 4 x 100 relay); Tejonay Stubbs (long jump, 4 x 100 relay) and Megan Moss (4 x 100 relay)

Under-11 boys

Raymond Oriakhi (100 and 200m, 4 x 100 relay); Christopher Butler (400m, 4 x 100 relay); Reuben Cooper (long jump, cricket ball and 4 x 100 relay) and Kendal Culmer (4 x 100 relay)

Under-13 girls

Daneisha Curry (100 and 200m, 4 x 100 relay); Doniesha Anderson (400m, 4 x 100 relay); Daezure Nicholls (long jump and 4 x 100 relay) and Kayneisa Carter (4 x 100 relay)

Under-13 boys

Michael Williams (100m, shot put, 4 x 100 relay); Godfrey Arthur (200 and 400m, 4 x 100 relay); Christopher Johnson (high jump, long jump, 4 x 100 relay) and Denvaughn Williams (cricket ball, 4 x 100 relay)

Under-15 girls

Andira Ferguson (100 and 200m, 4 x 100 relay); Dreshanae Rolle (400m, 4 x 100 relay); Tiffany Hanna (shot put); Brianne Bethel (4 x 100 relay) and Kristen Mitchell (4 x 100 relay)

Under-15 boys

Jaquante Green (100 and 200m, 4 x 100 relay); Valentino Bodie (400m, 4 x 100 relay); Cameron Oliver (high jump, 4 x 100 relay); Leo Kemp (4 x 100 relay); Therico Rolle (long jump, 4 x 100 relay); Perry Adderley (shot put) and Deondre Rutherford (javelin)

Open girls

Daejha Moss (800m) and Kimona Wilson (1,500m)

Open boys

Jonathan Thompson (800m) and Deangelo Robinson (1,500m)

Officials

Manager - Marisak Thompson

Coaches - Bernard Rolle, Luther Rolle, Patrick Adderley and Keno Demeritte

Chaperones - Ann Thompson and Gizelle Pinder

Doctor - Albery Hanna