The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ONE of the leading athletics clubs in the Bahamas will host yet another edition of its highly anticipated annual meet, which has become a staple on the local calendar of the sport.

Club Monica Athletics is scheduled to stage its 11th annual Invitational meet at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium February 14-15. There will be a 5pm start on Friday and a 1pm start Saturday.

Over 1,200 athletes, including many from the Family Islands, have already registered for the meet which will host athletes in a number of divisions from the under eight to open divisions.

It is sanctioned by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) and International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) rules apply.

Club Monica president Dianne Woodside said the meet comes along at a perfect time on the schedule as athletes gear up for the high point in their seasons, the local school season and vying for spots on national teams.

“We are very proud of the athletes, sponsors, fans and supporters who made the event an exciting and rewarding experience. This meet has become very popular over the years because it is held over two days and heats and finals are run in the 100m, 200m and 400m.

“The advantage to this is improved performance and the experience of running two rounds. Most international competitions run rounds and the experience at the Club Monica Classic helps them to prepare for the CARIFTA trials and international Games,” she said.

“The meet has grown tremendously over the last 10 years. Our first meet we had just about 600 athletes and now we regularly have about 1,200 every year.

“The interest in track and field right now is so great because the Bahamas has established this culture of success internationally, so more and more parents and kids are trying to get into it.”

As the club passes the decade mark in its existence, Woodside has chosen to honour former Club Monica member Anthonique Strachan.

Strachan, 20, is one of the most decorated sprinters in the Bahamas and has dominated both the local and international scene since her days at St Augustine’s College.

Strachan was a IAAF World Junior Champion in both the 100m and 200m in 2012.

She made her Olympic debut at the London 2012 games, captured gold at the Pan Am Junior Championships and silver at the CAC Championships, both in the 200m.

Strachan’s debut at the 2012 Olympic Games came down to a fifth place finish in the semifinal of the women’s 200m. Her time of 22.82 seconds came in the first of three heats and she ended up tied for 15th overall with Brazilian Evelyn Dos Santos from Brazil.

“Simply put, she’s an inspiration,” Woodside said.

“She was a part of Club Monica for years and for her career to be as successful as it has so quickly it really shows the kids that they can achieve great things from humble beginnings. Just to be around the kids and interact with them will go a long way in motivating them to train hard and perform at their best each time they step on the track or in the field.”

Woodside added that the club would like to thank each of its sponsors who supported the young athletes as they prepare for the upcoming meets and international competition.