The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT was quite a learning experience for the Bahamas’ three-woman team to the North American and Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships over the weekend at the Manchester Golf Club, Mandeville, Jamaica.

Competing in the field of 31 competitors from the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Bermuda in the 4K Junior Women (4050m), the Bahamas team of Jennaya Hield was 28th in 18 minutes and 53 seconds, while Holli Rolle was 30th in 19:33 and Veronica Bonimy ended up 31st in 19.52.

American Erin Finn was the top finisher in 14:09, followed by Madeline Yungblut from Canada in 14:18, just ahead of her compatatriot Gabriela Stafford, who was third in 14:25. Another Canadian Madeline McDonald was fourth in 14:28 and rounding out the top five was American Samantha George in 14:29.

The first Mexican was Arantza Hernandez of Mexico, who was seventh in 14:43; the first competitor from Puerto Rico was Ashley Laureano in 12th place in 15:24 and the first competitor from Bermuda was Zakkiyah Showers in 13th in 17:03.

Canada won the overall title with 17 points, well ahead of the American’s second place with 21. Puerto Rico was third with 65, while Jamaica was fourth with 82 and the Bermuda got fifth with 103. There was no position or final tally for the Bahamas.

Team manager and head coach Stephen Murray said although the performances were at the bottom of the pole, he was quite pleased that the three competitors got a chance to display their skills.

“We gave them their first shot, the same process that we did with the other 
athletes in the past,” said Murray of the trio, who made their debut in the championship. “But NACAC has taken the Cross Country to another level with the USA and Canada now involved.

“So it was pretty intense for our competitors because they didn’t do any cross countrys like the athletes from the other countrys. But they went out there and performed at the best of their abilities, so we couldn’t really complain about their performances. It was good for them to get in the competition.”

Murray, who was assisted by his sister Sherry Francis, who also served as the chaperon for the team, said the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations wanted to give the athletes the opportunity to compete in the championships in an effort to try and get them ready for the Carifta Games that will be held at the new Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium from March 28 to April 1.

“From what I’ve seen, our weakness at the championships was the lack of running the hills,” Murray said. “So I guess they just need some more strength training because they really tighten up running the hilly course. They were in the race in the first lap, but after the second lap, they got a little tight. They need to focus on running some more distance.

“The other girls warmed up on the course before and after the race. Our girls warmed up before the race because after the race they couldn’t go anymore.”

Murray, however, said the experience gained by the girls should really prepare them for Carifta, although they will only be concentrating on the shorter 1,500 and 3,000 metres. The three girls, according to Murray, are the top prospects for the Bahamas’ team.

No competitors were selected to compete in the 8K senior men (8100m) race that saw American Craig Forys take the title in 24:46 ahead of Canadians Cameron Levins (24:47) and Kelly Wiebe (25:04).

The USA took the overall title with 18 points, followed by Canada with 22, Jamaica in third in 74 and Trinidad & Tobago rounding out the field in fourth with 82.