The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

PROLEINE Pierre, Jodie Miller, Amber Forbes, Joerjette Williams, Scharann Cash, Bradley Dormeus, Cliff Resias and Janeko Cartwright were among the top performers in their respective events on the track as the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association kicked off day one of its Senior High Track and Field Championships.

However, on the field, there was one name that stood out.

Basketball standout DeVonte Gibson pulled off the upset on Thursday at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium as he clinched the under-20 (senior) boys’ high jump. Gibson cleared 2.00 metres or 6-feet, 6 3/4-inches to out perform CV Bethel’s Tyrone Burrows, who did 1.95m (6-4 3/4). Quincy Poitier of CI Gibson was third with 1.90m (6-2 3/4).

“I felt good, even though I didn’t have any training or practice for the event,” Gibson said. “I still felt as if I did good and I know if I put my mind into it, I could qualify for the CARIFTA Games. I was very surprised. But I felt saying to myself that I have to clear this jump.”

On the track, Cliff Resias lived up to his expectations as the fastest man in the GSSSA this year as he took the under-20 (senior) boys 100 metres title in 10.51 seconds. He was challenged right to the tape by Government High’s Deedro Clarke (10.58) and Doris Johnson’s Andrian Gibson (10.95).

“I knew it was going to be a good race. It was very fast,” Resias said. “But despite having a hamstring problem, I wanted to make sure that I didn’t end up with any serious injury. I think I went out there and I ran as hard as I could to win.”

The under-18 (intermediate) boys race was won by Scharann Cash, who stopped the clock in 10.89 for a personal best and a qualifying time for the CARIFTA Games. He beat out Government High’s Samson Colebrooke (10.93) and his twin brother Shalom Cash (11.00).

“I just wanted to maintain my form,” said Cash about his victory as he celebrated with his 16-year-old twin brother. “I made sure that I got out of the blocks and I tried to maintain my form. I got him (brother) this time, but he beat me some times.”

Although she competed in the under-18 (intermediate) girls’ division, Proleine Pierre had the fastest time by all the girls in 12.63. Taking second behind the CV Bethel speedster was Anatol Rodgers’ Juliette Pierre in 12.88. CV Bethel’s Danielle Fox was third in 13.13.

“The race was awesome. So far with the help of God, I must pursue this dream of being one of the next ‘Golden Girls’”, said Pierre, a 14-year-old 10th grader. “I was really pleased with how I ran today.”

Amber Forbes was the winner of the under-20 (senior) girls’ century in 12.99. Anatol Rodgers got second and third as D’Shantay Ferguson ran 13.01 and Jaquel McPhee did 13.42.

“I did my best, but I really wanted to do a personal best,” said Forbes, a 16-year-old 12th grader. “But it was a good race.”

In the 400m, Jodie Miller ran 1:04.50 to win the under-18 (intermediate) girls’ race for CV Bethel. CR Walker’s Edwinette Sturrup got second with 1:078.26 and CC Sweeting’s Shanniece Hall was third in 1:08.78.

“It was really good. I got tied around by the 200, but I was able to pick it up and come home strong for the win,” said Miller, a 15-year-old 10th grader.

CR Walker’s Bradley Dormeus followed with his victory in the under-20 (senior) boys’ 400m in 51.25 as he held off the CV Bethel’s duo of Travis Edwards (52.31) and Kenneth Strachan (52.75).

“I was a bit nervous, but I knew that I had the capability of coming through,” said Dormeus, a 15-year-old 11th grader. “I just thank God for allowing me to perform the way I did. He was the one who made it possible for me to come out here and run to the best of my ability.”

The winner of the under-20 (senior) girls’ 400m was Jeorjette Williams as she led a CR Walker sweep in 1:07.87. Her team-mate Tianna Capron trailed in 1:09.44 and Anatol Rodgers’ Phillisia Wallace had to settle for third in 1:10.36.

“It was really good. I had some problems on the back stretch and I think I shut down a little too early,” said Williams, a 16-year-old 12th grader. “I’m still pleased that I was able to pull off the victory, despite the fact that I didn’t run as fast as I would have liked to.”

And in the under-20 (senior) boys’ 400, Janeko Cartwright ran 48.65 to outsprint CI Gibson’s Kelson Pierre (48.76) and CR Walker’s Oral Rolle (52.12).

“It was alright. It was what I expected, considering that I’m just coming back from a hamstring injury. It was good,” said Cartwright, a 17-year-old 12th grader.

The under-20 (senior) girls’ 1,500 was won by CR Walker’s Barinique McIntosh in 5:58.00 over her team-mate, Philesha Roberts (6:10.78) and CC Sweeting’s Christine Rahming (6:15.99).

“It was okay. The back stretch was pretty tough, but I went out there and ran as hard as I could,” McIntosh said. “I still need to run faster because I really want to make the CARIFTA team this year. So I know I still have a lot more work to do.”

The under-20 (senior) boys’ 1,500 was won by Doris Johnson’s Claudius Russell in 4:26.91. RM Bailey’s Kendron Adderley was second in 4:35.20 and CV Bethel’s Derico Hinsey was third in 4:41.24.

“The wind on the back stretch was hard, but in the last lap, I went out and ran as hard as I could,” said Russell, an 18-year-old 12th grader.

The meet is scheduled to wrap up today with competition in the 200, 800 and 4 x 400 relays on the track and various disciplines on the field.