Two qualify for CARIFTA despite soggy start

Two more athletes hit the CARIFTA qualifying standard, despite challenging conditions on the rain-affected opening day of the Shakira Shorey Field Event Championship at Harrison College.

Heavy overnight and early morning showers had initially cast doubt over the start of the Dasani Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championship finals, forcing a delayed start and leaving competitors to battle less-than-ideal conditions.

However, with skies clearing rapidly after 11 a.m., Technical Director Dorian Best’s decision to press ahead proved justified as performances steadily improved — culminating in two additional CARIFTA qualifiers to open the meet in encouraging fashion.

Aniya Nurse of The St Michael School lept 5.80m on the way to victory in the Under 20 Girls’ Long Jump, which was well ahead of the CARIFTA qualifying standard of 5.65m. Kyesha Husbands of Queen’s College was second with a leap of 5.71m, which was also well clear of the qualifying mark. Nyema Taylor of Combermere was third with a leap of 5.50m.

Jazzair Best of The St Michael School won the Under 20 Boys’ equivalent, with a leap of 7.13m, ahead of  Harrison College student Jules O’Garro (7.04m) and the Lodge School’s Jahkye Brewster, who leapt 6.94m.

The Under 20 Girls’ Discus champion is Tazaria Joseph of The Lodge School, after her best effort of 34.87m. Second place went to Chloe Blackman of Combermere (34.55m), with  Likimsha Bailey-Leacock of Queen’s College third, following a best throw of 27.03m.

The St. Michael School has made a strong start to the meet and was back at the top of the podium in the Under 20 Boys’ Discuss. Tayshaun Yarde topped the standings with a throw of 44.97m, with Jayden Walcott of Combermere School second (43.77m) and Zavier Knight of The St Michael School third (39.74m)

Strong swirling winds may have affected performances in the Under 17 Boys’ Javelin, where Ajalah Cumberbatch of Frederick Smith Secondary had a best effort  of 50.99m. Second went to Madison Maxwell of Queen’s College, who was way behind with a 43.68m effort, while Donico Marshall-Kirton of  Parkinson Memorial’s best of 38.37m , was good enough for third.

Just two competitors surpassed the 10m mark, in the Junior Girls’ Shot Put.

Aliyah Greaves of Queen’s College took the gold with an effort of 10.58m, ahead Rejada Hinds of Alexandra School, who had a best effort of 10.13m. Behind them

Cuzarah Batson of Harrison College led the chasing pack in third, having managed  9.52m.

The race for the Junior Boys’ Shot Put title was much closer. Tariq Greaves of Combermere secured gold with a best of 11.89m, ahead of  Rojani Cox of Queen’s College, (11.69m) and Marques Towler  of  Alleyne (11.48m).

Day two will see eight more finals contested at Harrison College, as schools seek to secure maximum early points, ahead of the start of the two zones of track action.