Coach DeVon Bean On Carifta Games Hopes
[Written by Stephen Wright]
DeVon Bean, the national athletics coach, said he is “cautiously optimistic” about Bermuda’s podium chances at the Carifta Games in St George’s, Grenada.
Bermuda’s team of 13 athletes left the island today [April 1] as they prepare for the annual regional competition, which provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents.
The Games will be held at the Kirani James Stadium from Saturday until Monday.
Among the island’s trio of debutants are under-17 athletes Nazir Johnson [800 metres], Brooklyn Myers [3,000 metres] and Ajana Patton [Triple jump].
Photograph by Michelle Samuels
Bean, a former sprinter, who represented Bermuda at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, said the youthful-looking squad is capable of strong performances.
“I’m cautiously optimistic,” Bean told Bernews. “We don’t have an experienced team – although most of our athletes have been [to Carifta] at least once.
“Miles Outerbridge, Tatiana Sousa, who won silver in the under-17 javelin last year, Sanchez Smith and Gianluca Bortoli are among those who have potential to do something.
“Miles is a key competitor for us – he’s right in the mix for medalling in the 100 and 200.
“The last person to do that was Jeneko Place [in the boys’ under-17 division in the Cayman Islands] in 2010.”
Bean said the squad had remained focused and adaptable in the lead-up to the competition.
“Bermuda’s weather hasn’t been the best, and we had some schedule clashes with football, which meant we couldn’t use the stadium for pockets of time – but we’ve made it work,” he added.
“Hopefully, we can come back with a few medals.”
Under-17 Girls
Squad
Amara Samuels [100m and 200 metres]
Ajana Patton [Triple jump]
Kelise Wade [400 metres]
Riana Robinson [1,500 metres]
Brooklyn Myers [3,000 metres]
Elena Bortoli [1,500 metres]
Under-17 Boys
Sanchez Smith [3,000 metres]
Zydon Lightbourne Furbert – [400 and 200 metres]
Nazir Johnson [800 metres]
Under-20 Girls
Tatiana Sousa [Javelin]
Arima Turner [100m and 200 metres]
Under-20 Boys
Miles Outerbridge [100m and 200m]
Gianluca Bortoli [5,000 metres]
