The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE there are quite a number of quarter-milers in the pipeline, The Bahamas is also looking forward to the next core of sprinters to regain the country's legacy on the international scene.

Camille Rutherford, one of those contenders, is making her case for national prominence. She is now sitting in second place on the 2026 performance list with a time of 11.22 seconds that she posted on May 31 at the Alumni Stadium in London, Canada.

She trails Grand Bahamian collegian Shatalya Dorsett, who tops the list at 11.18 she ran on May 16 at the Jaguar Track in Mobile, Alabama.

The top five competitors include versatile Anthaya Charlton, who ran 11.29 on May 24 in Bungertstadion, Rehlingen, Germany, followed by junior sensation Jazae Johnson, who clocked 11.30 at the CARIFTA Games in St George's, Grenada, on April 4 and veteran Anthonique Strachan, who ran 11.36 on May 9 at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

All five competitors are expected to headline the list of sprinters entered in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations National Championships, scheduled for June 19-21 at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. 

Coming off her latest performance, Rutherford, the daughter of Chad and Demetrie Rutherford and the niece of Olympic bronze medallist Frank Rutherford, said she's right where she wants to be.

"I think it was a good step in the right direction. There’s still another level I know I’m capable of reaching, so I’m encouraged," Rutherford said.

"The goal now is to keep building, stay consistent, and trust the process."

As she looks ahead to the rest of the season, the 23-year-old Rutherford, who graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor of science in AG communications and journalism, said her aim is to continue to get better. 

"The expectation for the rest of the season is simple, continue improving, compete against strong fields, and put myself in contention whenever I race," she said. " I believe my best performances are still ahead of me."

This year, Rutherford said her goal is to compete at either or, if possible, both the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, July 23 to August 2 and the Central American and Caribbean Games, set for July 24 to August 8 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

"I’ve competed internationally before at the World Championships, World Indoor Championships, and World U20 Championships, so I understand the level of competition," Rutherford said. 

"My expectation this year is to continue improving, compete confidently, and represent The Bahamas to the best of my ability while chasing faster times and strong performances."