Athletes Compete In Speed Capital Event
“Despite severely adverse conditions the 10 athletes who competed in the Speed Capital event did acquit themselves, their parents, and Bermuda proudly,” BNAA President Dr Freddie Evans said,
In providing a recap, Dr Evans said, “Despite severely adverse conditions the 10 athletes who competed in the Speed Capital event did acquit themselves, their parents, and Bermuda proudly.
“On February 25th, a day when the temperature soared to nearly 85 degrees, the meet was delayed by technical difficulties for nearly four hours. After sitting and enduring the heat for that duration of time, when the Bermuda athletes took to the track they competed outstandingly.
“Jauza James, who is aspiring to return to Carifta as an octathalete, was scheduled to compete in 4 events for a 3 ½ hour period, however with the schedule revamped Jauza actually competed in his 4 events in less than 90 minutes. He started in the HJ, jumping a PB on a short run up 1.75, [2nd place] as soon as the HJ was finished he changed spikes and started LJ hitting a mark of 5.70 [4th place] on his first attempt, as soon as the long jump was over, he had to check in for the 1500m where he ran 4:27.94 [2nd place] and as soon as the 1500m was completed he was called to 110m hurdle 17.28 2nd place. Outstanding performances to string together in that short of time.
“I’Aura Golding, who has adopted 100mh [hurdles] as her specialty has trained assiduously for 100mh since last year with Coach Gerry Swan, in her debut in 100mh despite her nerves I’Aura ripped off PB 18.92 and earned a gold medal. I’Aura also competed in the 200m finishing 9th.
“Maya Bean competed in her international meet in two years 100m and 200m in the women’s 100m and 200m finishing 12th and 13th respectively.
“Fenella Wightman who is a two-time triathlon Carifta medalist and a member of the 2022 Carifta athletics team, joined the team late in the evening on Friday night, as she was completing school exams but she is determined to return to Carifta in Athletics ran the 1500m in 5:24 finishing just outside of the a podium position in 5th place.
“Miles Outerbridge, who was hard-done by a power outage at the National Stadium, battled through the conditions and being slightly under the weather to place 4th in 15- 16 boys 200m in a of 22.99 and 7th in 100m in a time of 11.32.
“Dalen Scott who attends high school in Florida and joined the team in South Miami to demonstrate his Carifta readiness and earned a bronze medal in the 400m in a time 52.91 and followed that performance up with 23.50 in the 200m which was good for a 4th place finish.
“Jaeda Grant who is already qualified for the competed in the 15-16-year-old young women and earned a bronze in the 1500m in a time of 5.19:63, she also compete in the 800m turn in a silver medal performance in a time of 2.28:5. This is a great foreshadow of potential things to come as Jaeda was competing against some young ladies who will be representing Jamaica and the Bahamas in the Carifta games.
“The 14-year-old young women’s division turned in the top performances of the trip.
“Saniya Place ran the 400m in a 62.67 but tweaked a hip injury and had to withdraw from the rest of the competition, prior to the injury Saniya demonstrated strength and speed that bodes well for the future.
“Lashee Jones another athlete with Carifta aspirations, placed 4th in the 200m and 4th in the 400m in times of 22.99 and 61.97 respectively. In each race finishing tenths of a second away from the podium.
“Pria Wilson powered her way onto the podium in the 100m in a time of 12.83 and followed that performance up with 26.84 in the 200m finishing 6th.
“After her posting her personal best in Bermuda, Amaris Munya, arrived at this meet looking to continue her outstanding performance in the 400m so she was disappointed in her 7th place finish in a time of 62.55. However, demonstrating resiliency and tenacity Amaris toed the line for the 800m and bounced back with a silver medal in a time of 2:29.76.
“The brightest star among these emerging stars was Azari Jones. Azari missed all of last season competition due to an injury.
“Azari has been working incredibly hard to regain her strength and form and her hard work paid dividends as she topped the podium in the 14 year old women’s 1500m [5:23.94] and 800m [2:28.75] respectively.
“The Carifta team will be named on March 6th and there are a multitude of young athletes who are demonstrating their progress and giving the Coaches and BNAA board a lot to consider in these final days.”
