The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH the men’s 4 x 400 metre relay team already locked down for next month’s trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the men’s 4 x 100m team is hoping that they will also get a chance to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations is holding a relay training camp this week for members of the 4 x 100m team as they prepare to run in the Blue Marlin Track Classic, which serves as the last chance for all the relay teams to post one of the top 16 times in the world.

The deadline for the teams as well as athletes in individual events to qualify is Sunday - Independence Day when the Classic is held at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

While designated head coach George Cleare will be working with the women’s relay team, assistant coach Shaun Miller will be responsible for the men.

“With the group of guys that we have, we have a lot of young guys involved, but they have a ton of experience, so I’m hoping that we will be able to get the stick around pretty fast and qualify,” Cleare said.

“They are all excited about the camp and we’re trying to get them all in one hotel so that they can start gelling together. But we have eight guys to choose six spots if we qualify, so we will mix them up and run two teams at the meet. Hopefully, one of them will get us in.”

National sprint champion Shavez Hart said they’re ready to put on a show for the Bahamian public. “It feels pretty good, especially that it’s going to be at home. A lot of people are away, so it’s rare that we come home at summer time and we still get to put in the work and try to qualify in front of our home people,” he said. “So I hope that we have a lot of people out there trying to push us. We are looking pretty good.  I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t qualify. We have two shots at it. We look like a team that can make finals and once in the finals, anything can happen after that.”

This year, the BAAA has added University of Alabama senior Tadeshi Pinder to the pool after he came home and finished fourth in the final of the men’s 100m.

“It’s an honour to be home. It’s a dream come true for me to be able to compete for the Bahamas,” he said. “I left here when I was very young, but it’s good to come back and represent the Bahamas and not try to compete for the USA. “I just want to make the country and my family proud, so it is a blessing to be here. I’m excited to see what we can do on Sunday. We’re looking good and so if we can stay focused, we can get the job done.”

Ian Kerr, who has made some headlines this year, is thrilled that he can get an opportunity to compete on a senior relay team.

“It’s a blessing to be chosen among the fastest guys in the country,” said Kerr, who finished sixth in the 100m at nationals. “It’s all God and without him, I wouldn’t be here right now, so I want to thank him for allowing me to run with them.”

In hindsight, Kerr said he’s pleased to have made the switch from the swimming pool where his brother Kohen Kerr is still making a splash.

“My mom and my dad were a big part of me switching to track,” he said. “It was a real tough time when I chose to switch to track. I’m just glad that I stuck with him. They kept pushing me and now I’m here today trying to make the Olympic team.”

Blake Bartlett has a season’s best of 10.22 (wind-aided) that he did in Rome, Georgia, on May 14.

“I think everyone is prepared and everyone is in top shape. We are just trying to put the puzzle together. After that, we should be okay. I think we should be able to qualify,” he said.

“I have confidence in us. The team is looking very good. Excluding myself, I can’t speak about anybody else, but I’m in tiptop shape because this is crunch time when we need to be ready to compete.

Teray Smith, a member of the men’s 4 x 100m national record breaking team, said it’s good to be around a crew of competitors who want to succeed.

“We are looking good. We have a good squad,” he said. “I think we have a good selection of athletes. Some of us have been running pretty good all year, so those of us who haven’t, this is a chance to prove that we can get the job done.”

As one of the veteran members, Jamial Rolle said he hopes to lend his expertise to the other members of the team.

“It feels good to help usher in the new generation of future track stars,” he said. “We’re looking good. Unfortunately, it’s kind of late but we are making the best of it.”

Another veteran Adrian Griffith, runner-up at the nationals, said the training camp is just what they needed to get the synergy together.

“We have two teams out there so if one doesn’t do it, the other should,” Griffith said. “I have faith in the guys. We are trying to get as much synergy together as possible and as quickly as possible, so hopefully we can run very fast.”

Warren Fraser, slowly working his way back into form after nursing a series of injuries, said there’s no feeling than being able to make a contribution to Team Bahamas.

“To come back from my injuries is just a blessing,” he said. “I feel good. I’m back on the track now. I’m just glad to get this gelling again. Relays is always fun and we have some good guys out here training.

“A lot of them showed up for nationals and competed. Now it’s time for us to all show up when everything matters and hopefully we can do what we have to do to get the Bahamas qualified for Rio.”