Two Weeks Left Until Carifta Entries Submitted
With two weeks remaining before the final entries must be submitted for the 2024 Carifta Games which will be held in Grenada, BNAA President Dr Freddie Evans said he was disappointed that there were no qualifiers from this weekend’s events.
He said, “Despite weather conditions improving slightly, and young athletes delivering solid performance, advancement to qualified status did not happen this week.
“Jake Smith, U20 1500m specialist ran 4:18.67 once again just outside of the standard. Evans stated, “that is tremendously hard for Jake to run at race pace, by himself; but he is a tough competitor, and he is capable of running below that standard.
“Lashee Jones who made her first appearance at Carifta in 2023, continues to demonstrate that she is returning to form in the 200m [27.12] and 100m [13.19] in a strong headwind at the National Stadium on March 3rd.
“Saniya Place, an athlete who missed making the 2023 Carifta team because of a significant hip injury, continues to make her case for inclusion in the 2024 team, finishing 2nd to Lashee in 200m in a time of 27. 19. She also competed in the 400m, finishing first in a time of 1:03.10.
“One of the members of the bronze medal U17 4 x 100m team, J’Naz Richards was also ruled out Carifta participation this year as she sustain a grade 1 hamstring pull. J’Naz pulled her hamstring while competing in Speed Capital trying to earn her way on to her 3rd Carifta team. It is devastating for athletes to put in the effort to improve and qualify for Carita only to pick up an injury before the meet and miss the event entirely.
“Sprinters Jayson Simons, Saj Carey and Aaron Lugo continue to make the case for their inclusion in the squad.
“U20 Simons [24.13] and Carey [24.70] finished first and second in 200m; while Aaron Lugo [U17] finished first in the 100m in a time [12.57].”
