The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the fourth consecutive year, coach Dexter Bodie took the opportunity to recognise the achievement of his athletes in the Road Runners Track Club by holding another presentation and awards banquet.

The event was held in memory of the late patron Basil Neymour in the Wyndham Nassau Resort under the theme: “Looking Beyond Our Limitations and Surpassing Our Expectations.”

Among the dignitaries who attended were Renward Wells, parliamentary secretary, Mike Sands, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, Desmond Bannister, former president of the BAAA, Harrison Petty, president of the Parents Association of Track and Field Athletes, Archie Nairn, permanent secretary in the office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, BAAA first vice president Iram Lewis and BAAA secretary general Carl Oliver.

“It was very successful,” said Bodie, who revealed that more than 270 persons attended. “We had awards for just about every category, so once again, I think I can say that all of our athletes was able to walk away with something.”

This year, Bodie introduced the Basil Neymour Award, which was sponsored by Bannister, in recognition of Neymour, the “godfather” of track and field in the Bahamas who died on September 16. Neymour, who resided in Grand Bahama, was a contributor to the banquet since its inception.

“He made a great contribution, not just to the Road Runners and in Grand Bahama, but wherever he went in life,” Bodie said. “So we were pleased this year to hold the banquet in honour for what he has done throughout the Bahamas in track and field.”

The Basil Neymour Award was presented jointly to Kendrick Major, Maciah Pierre, Bernard Kemp, Danil Emlus, Perry Adderley, Shandria Daxon and Monique Forbes.

Winning the O’Jay Ferguson Award were Maverick Bowleg, Jenero Knowles and Demitri Forbes.

The Shawn Lockhart Award went to Perry Adderley.

And the Dominique Higgins Award was shared between Jenero Knowles, Edvania Missick, Leonardo Taylor, Jaimee Knowles and Sara Mackey.

The most outstanding female athletes were Nasia Brown and Sterniah Pratt (under-7), Amari Mackey (under-9), Tatyanna Huyler and Paige Gilbert (under-13), Shanterah Evans (under-15), Terressa Pierre (under-17), D’Angella Wilson (under-20) and Sara Mackey (open).

The most outstanding male athletes were Rashad Haygood (under-7), Leonardo Taylor (under-9), Lamarre Jranlousi and Taimar Taylor (under-11), Cephas Whylly and Craig Taylor (under-13), Benny Damus and Theofanis Huyler (under-15), Abiah Missick (under-17), Jenero Knowles (under-20) and Sheldon Ferguson and Dominic Williamson (open).

The female athletes of the year were Olivia Spence (under-7), Rowlia Joseph (under-11), Shorntell Williams (under-13, Esther Cartwright (under-15), Althea Rolle (under-17), Lawanda Jeanlouis (under-20) and Krysten Black (open).

The male athletes of the year were Trent Ford (under-7), Daniel Ermilus (under-9), Kendrick Major and Tamiko Taylor (under-13), Hartley Sands and Michael Adderley (under-15), Perry Adderley and Adolton Leadon (under-17), Demitri Forbes (under-20) and Maverick Bowleg (open).

More than 60 athletes were named to the Jenero Knowles Honour Roll list.

“Overall, I feel great for our athletes who were honoured,” Bodie said. “I was more impressed with the academic achievements of our athletes. You can be fast, but it doesn’t make anything if you don’t have anything in your head.

“I think we have see a tremendous improvement from our athletes in that regard. Ninety per cent of our athletes this year made more than a 3.0 grade point average. We had about four persons who got a 4.0 average. So that was a great accomplishment for our club this year.”