The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A YEAR AGO, versatile Bahamian jumper Bria Sands skipped the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Outdoor Championships because of the death of her father, Leevan Sands Sr.

On Thursday at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the Life University senior just missed out on capturing her second title in two nights as she had to settle for second place in the women’s triple jump.

After taking the lead on her second attempt with a leap of 41-feet, 0 1/4-inches, Sands watched as Marian (Indiana) freshman Naomi Walters surged out front on her third attempt with 41-2 1/4 (12.55m).

Sands could only muster a distance of 41-0 1/2 (12.51) to trail Walters. While Walters struggled the rest of the way, Sands was consistent in the 12m mark, but none was able to push back out front.

Sands’ performance came after she made her triumphant return on Wednesday by capturing her first title in the women’s long jump with a leap of 20-feet, 2 1/2- inches or 6.16 metres on her third attempt.

“I feel good. I am elated and looking forward to my next two events,” said Sands after her victory in the long jump. “I just want to stay focused and give it all I got.”

Sands’ performance this week will be dedicated to her late father, which is one of the reasons why she is so excited and optimistic about her return to the championships after missing last year.

After she fouled her first attempt, Sands came back and did 19-11 (6.07m) on her second attempt to sit in second place. She emerged to the top of the standings in the third round. She did 19-0 3/4 (5.81m) on her fourth and fouled her final two jumps.

Destiny Copeland, a sophomore at Indiana Tech, was second with 20-0 1/4 (6.10m).

Also on Thursday, Wayland Baptist’s senior Coshan Campbell won her heat of thed women’s 800 metres in two minutes and 12.36 seconds for the third fastest qualifying time for today’s final.

And on Wednesday as well, Indiana Tech women’s 4 x 100 metre relay team of Sha’londa Terry, Soyinne Grenyion, Derica Gibson and Bahamian Antonishka Deveaux won their heat in 40.70 seconds for the third fastest time in the preliminaries.

Deveaux was also sixth in her heat of the women’s 200m in 24.65 for 21st overall as she didn’t advance. Jaqual Bush, a Southeastern University freshman, won the heat in 23.59 for the second fastest qualifying time. The fastest time was posted by Willim Carey’s senior Aniekeme Etim in 23.55.

And Campbell, running the second leg, watched as her Wayland Baptist’s team got disqualified in the women’s 4 x 800m relay. The other members of the team were Kosgei Dorcas, Elizabeth Williams and Teresha Jacobs.

Meanwhile, a number of Bahamians are competing for their respective schools at the NCAA West and East Regionals in their bid to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, scheduled for June 9-12 at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

NCAA West Regional

At Bryan-College Station in Texas, there was a protest lodged in the preliminaries of the women’s 100m hurdles that featured three Bahamians.

Oral Roberts University’s senior got a third place finish in her heat in a season’s best of 113.19 for the 18th best time, while team-mate Gabrielle Gibson trailed her in 19th in 13.20 after she was fourth in her heat as they both advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinal.

However, Washington State’s sophomore Charisma Taylor was sixth in her heat in 13.37 for sixth in her heat. She placed 28th overall, but didn’t move on.

Two Bahamians also turned in season’s best performances in the women’s 100m preliminaries to move onto Saturday’s quarterfinal.

Grand Bahamian Brianne Bethel, a junior at the University of Houston, came in second in her heat in 11.12 for seventh overall and freshman Camille Rutherford was third in her heat in 11.27 for 14th spot.

The duo came back in the 200m with Bethel getting second in her heat in 22.91 for 10th overall, while Rutherford was third in her heat in another season’s best 23.22 for 21st overall as they both advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals.

The Regional got underway on Wednesday as Arkansas’ senior Laquan Nairn had to settle for 27th in the men’s long jump with his best mark of 24-3 1/2 (7.40m) coming on his first attempt.

Nairn followed that with 22-5 (6.83m) on his second attempt and fouled his third. He will be back in action today when he compete in his specialty in the triple jump.

Also today, Kyle Alcine, a junior at Kansas State, will be competing in the men’s high jump and on Saturday, Serena Brown, a junior at Iowa, will be competing in the women’s discus.

NCAA East Regional

In Jacksonville, Florida, University of Kentucky’s Megan Moss posted her lifetime best of 52.39 on Thursday for second in her heat of the women’s 400m as she advanced to Saturday’s quarterfinals with the sixth fastest time.

Today, Indiana’s junior Jyles Etienne will be featured in the men’s high jump, while Purdue’s junior Tamar Greene will compete in the triple jump, senior Samson Colebrook will have double sprint duties in the 100 and 200m and Miami’s Xavier Coakley will be in the 110m hurdles.