AAB names five for U20 Pan Am Championships in Puerto Rico

Five athletes from Barbados are set to compete at the Pan American U20 Championships in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, August 4 – 6.

The Athletics Association of Barbados (AAB) revealed the team lineup on Monday, with Bryan Holder named as the coach for the promising group of athletes.

The team consists of Amari Knight, Aragorn Straker, Nikkolai Kennedy, and the sole female representative, Khristel Martindale.

The biennial event, which commenced in 1980, showcases some of the best young prospects in track and field from the Pan American region.

Barbados has been a regular participant in this prestigious competition, despite the disappointment of returning empty-handed in 2019 from their seven-member team.

This time around, the AAB is optimistic that their up-and-coming athletes can make their mark on the podium, especially with the presence of Knight, an emerging sprinter who has shown great promise in the 100m and 200m events.

At the U20 Championships in March, Knight demonstrated his prowess and proved to be a cut above his peers in Barbados.

Straker, who secured victory in the 200m and finished second to Knight in the 100m at the Barbados National U20 Championships, is equally determined to leave an impact for Barbados in Puerto Rico.

Kennedy, on the other hand, is an emerging hurdler and will be competing in the 110m hurdles at the Pan Am U20 Championships.

Meanwhile, Martindale, who currently competes in the NCAA (D2) for Lewis University, will be competing in the 100m and 200m events.

In a previous interview with Barbados TODAY, the AAB’s public relations officer, Esther Maynard, expressed their commitment to presenting their athletes with every opportunity possible to represent Barbados and foster their development. (RT)