The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE still celebrating their historic win in the BAISS Championships last week, female jumpers Daejha Moss, Celina Thompson and Amelia Peterson yesterday led the Queen’s College Comets back into action on day one of the BTC/ScotiaBank National High School Track and Field Championships.

It was another historic event for the sport as the nationals, now run by a committee headed by Senator Greg Burrows, held the meet for the first time in the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. And unlike the past, the three-day meet is being divided into two sessions each day.

The meet, which is attracting more than 50 schools from throughout the Bahamas who participated in the opening ceremonies on Wednesday night, will continue today at 9am and again at 6 pm. The final two sessions will take place on Saturday at the same times.

Moss, competing in the under-18 girls high jump, soared 1.65m (5ft 5in) to produce victory for the Comets in her signature event.

Her nearest rival was Alexis Miller, of the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins, with 1.47m (4ft 9 3/4in). Mikela Rolle, of L N Coakley, Exuma, was third with 1.42m (4ft 7 3/4in).

“I did great. I cleared 1.65m on my second attempt, which was unusual, but I was pleased with it,” said Moss, who admitted that she had a relative easy road to the title.

“I think I need to work more on my arch. That’s basically it, but I’m fine with it.”

As for the spin off from the series of celebrations that Queen’s College had all week, Moss said her performance was right on target as she won the national title for the Comets for the fourth consecutive year.

“We were out in the sun all day, but it was fun and I loved it,” said Moss, who didn’t have any problems competing in the new stadium.

Just before her accomplishment, Celine Thompson took the first title for the Comets in the under-20 girls high jump.

She cleared 1.63m (5ft 4 1/4in) to win the duel with Kendra King, of Mangrove Cay High, Andros, who went over 1.52m (4ft 11 3/4in). CR Walker Knights’ Dana Francois was third with 1.42m (4ft 7 3/4in).

Peterson added another title for Queen’s College when she soared 5.08m (16ft 8in) to snatch the under-26 girls long jump. Destiny Huyler of Sunland Baptist, Grand Bahama, was second with 4.69m (15ft 4 3/4in) and Samara Mitchell, of North Andros High, came third with 4.64m (15ft 2 3/4in).

Crown

In another jumping event, M’Kayla White of St Augustine’s College cleared 1.50m (4ft 11in) to clinch the under-14 girls high jump crown. Roy’Janae Brown, of Bishop Michael Eldon, Grand Bahama, was second with 1.35m (4ft 5in) and Samarya Rahming, of Central Andros, took third place with 1.30m (4ft 3 1/4in).

On the track, the first final was the under 16 girls 1,500m won by Melina Andorra, but her official time was not available. She ran away from the pack on the second lap and wasn’t challenged the rest of the way as she coasted to an easy victory.

“I was so tired, but the race was good. I was looking at the times and I knew that I had to run,” said Andorra, who was coming off an impressive performance in the BAISS Championships where she won the 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m.

“Anybody can challenge me, if they train.

“But I was ready for the challenge.”

On running in the new stadium, Andorra said: “I always wanted to run here, so it was good to finally get this chance. I was glad that I won too.”

Grand Bahamian Travis Joseph, of Bishop Michael Eldon, was just as impressive in taking the under-16 boys 1,500m.

His winning time of 4 minutes 37.05 seconds compared to 4.47.51 by Lhevinne Joseph, of H O Nash, and James Augustine, of C H Reeves, in 4.52.08.

“My plan was to keep my pace that I was on until the last 100m and then I wanted to go out and give it my best,” said Joseph, who acknowledged that he was prepared to win.

“I have the 800m and I expect to do well because I want to represent my school well and make my mommy proud.”

On his feelings about running in the new stadium, Joseph said he was quite pleased because “it gave me an inspiration and the motivation to run faster.”

In hosting the meet in the new stadium, athletes have the opportunity to compete in a new environment, but organisers are hoping that they will be able to increase the fans’ participation in the stands over the final two days of competition in what is being billed as the “biggest” track and field meet scheduled this year.

During the meet athletes will get an opportunity to qualify for the Carifta Games, scheduled for April 4 to 6 in Basseterre, St Kitt and Nevis.

Other finals contested in the first session of the meet yesterday were:

Under-16 boys shot put: Michael Williams, Tabernacle Baptist, 15.21m (49ft 11in); Michael Adderley, St Augustine’s College, 13.75m (45ft 1 1/2in); Travanti Forbes, North Andros High, 12.17m (39ft 11 1/4in).

Under-18 girls discus: Serena Brown, St Augustine’s College, 41.41m (135ft 10in); Laquel Harris, Queen’s College, 33.99m (111ft 6in); Tiffany Hanna, St Augustine’s College, 30.86m (101ft 3in).

Under-16 girls javelin: Taylor Walters, St Augustine’s College), 35.10m (115ft 2in); Laura Eldon, Leadership, 28.40m (93ft 2in); Kacey Kemp, St Andrew’s, 27.33m (89ft 8in).

Under-18 boys triple jump: Holland Martin, Tabernacle Baptist, 14.62m (47ft 11 3/4in); Edriel Martinborough, Tabernacle Baptist, 13.66m (44ft 9 3/4in); Alexi Flowers (St George’s) 13.17m (43ft 2 1/2in).

Under-20 girls discus: Tahjnee Thurston, Anatol Rodgers, 35.31m (115ft 10in); Janelle Curtis, St Augustine’s College) 33.85m (111ft 1in); Mechael Russell, St Augustine’s College, 28.96m (95ft).

Under-20 boys discus: Bradley Cooper Jr, CR Walker, 13.89m (45ft 7in); Anthon Lightbourne, St Augustine’s College, 13.85m (45ft 5 1/4in); Denzel Pratt, St Augustine’s College, 12.86m (42ft 2 1/4in).