The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Track and Field Championships, just like the Jr Nationals held two days prior, didn’t produce the full slate of competitors as anticipated at the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium over the weekend.

However, there were some interesting occurrences that drew some interest from the spectators who attended the event.

While there were qualifying performances for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August turned in by sprinter Ty’Nia Gaither, quarter-milers Steven Gardiner, Alonzo Russell and Shaunae Miller, there were a few who came close.

The meet, however, was the farewell on the local scene for veteran sprinter Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and it made the return of Anthonique Strachan and Nivea Smith.

“At the end of the day, I always try to look at it as cup half full,” Ferguson-McKenzie said of her fifth place finish in the women’s 100 metre final in 11.81 seconds after she did 11.90 to qualify with the sixth best time in the preliminaries.

“I don’t know the reason for it. I thought I would have seen more people in the stands being in the new stadium, but in all things give thanks. The athletes did their best and those who qualified will now go on and represent the country at the Olympics.”

Having failed out in qualifying, Ferguson-McKenzie said she will have to wait and see whether or not the BAAA and the Bahamas Olympic Committee selects her to be a part of the women’s 4 x 100m relay pool.

“About three weeks ago, I was in a car accident. I didn’t want to talk about it because I was thinking about not running,” she reflected. “But this was my last nationals and I wanted closure. Despite not being 100 percent, I came here at about 80 percent and I competed.

“If I make the team, I will have about six weeks to improve. So like I said, I just want to be there for the relays. So I’m praying that things work out. If it doesn’t, I can look back and say I had a great career.”

Coming of surgery last year, Strachan made her return, running in her first 200m for the year in 23.40 for second place behind double sprint national champion Ty’Nia Gaither, who won in 23.00.

While Gaither dipped under the Olympic qualifying time of 23.20, Strachan was just short. But having already qualified before she took the latter part of the year last year to undergo the surgery, she proved her fitness level.

And after more than a year away from the sport, Grand Bahamian sprinter Nivea Smith made her return to the nationals. Although she finished out of contention, clocking 11.85 for sixth in the 100m and 24.50 for eighth in the 200m, she’s encouraged to continue on.

Three Bahamians qualified for the women’s 100m hurdles, but none participated in the event.

Devynne Charlton suffered a back injury before the start of her collegiate outdoor season and has shut down for the year; new national record holder Pedrya Seymour is still nursing an injury after she slipped and fell during the NCAA Championships and Adanaca Brown has not competed for the year.

Former national record holder Ivanique Kemp went on to pick up the national title by stopping the clock in 13.58 ahead of Krystal Bodie, who did 13.96. Kemp admitted that it was a little difficult running into the head wind, but she did her best under the circumstances.

“I had a good push out of the blocks, but I think I hit about three of the hurdles,” she said. “I wished the other girls were there because I know they would have given me a push. But they were not here, so I just did the best that I could.”

Both 800m produced some close timers, but cigars for Teshon Adderley and Rocky Jean-Louis from Moores Island.

Adderley needed to run 2:03.00 in order to book her ticket to Rio, but she had to settle for 2:08.81 without any push in the final lap as second place was Quanisha Marshall in 2:18.48.

“I was glad to see the other girls come out and push me at the beginning, which was where I needed it the most to give me the inspiration to go out hard,” Adderley stressed. “But the last lap, I was basically all out there by myself and I tried to push as hard as I could.

“It would have been awesome to represent the Bahamas, but for an athlete who is coming back after taking a year of, I’m excited. I’m happy with my progress. To come out here without any training at all last year, I feel awesome.”

Jean-Louis, on the other hand, got all the help he needed from James Carey. And even though he won the race in 1:52.09, Jean-Louis needed to go down to 1:46.00 to qualify for the Olympics.

“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to run this race,” said Jean-Louis after he held of Carey, who did 1:52.99. “The first part of the race, I got boxed in and I had to hold up and wait to get through. When I did, I think it was a little too late.”

Also making a comeback after he got injured last year was Warren Fraser, who got ninth in the preliminaries of the men’s 100m in 10.66.

“Honestly, I don’t have any plans right now. I’m just looking forward to what is to come. I don’t know what’s coming, but I am talented and I was ready for this year, but it just didn’t work out,” he said.

“I just have to get ready for next year. I will take my time and train more and compete less and maybe by doing things a little different, everything will be smoother for me. I’ve moved to Athens, Georgia, training at the University of Georgia, so I’m looking for some big things next year.”

Meanwhile, Derrick Atkins, the only Bahamian to run under 10 seconds in the century, revealed that he’s done. The 32-year-old silver medalist from the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan in a national record time of 9.91 has officially announced his retired.