The six local members of the CARIFTA Games track and field team yesterday commenced their first training session in The Bahamas at the Thomas Robinson Stadium ahead of tomorrow’s opening of the XLII games.
The local team which comprises Alita Moore, Tirana Mitchell, Avon Samuels, Cassey George, Jevina Straker and Jason Yaw arrived in the host country on Monday after traveling from Jamaica.
Coach of the team, Mark Scott, informed Stabroek Sport that the athletes began work on the technical aspect of the relays. He added that the members will await the arrival of the oversea-based athletes to before finalizing the relay squads and for gelling.
Moore (U20: 100m), Mitchell (U17: 100m, 200m), Samuels (U17 200m, 400m), George (U17: 800m, 1500m) and Yaw (U17: 200m, 400m) will make their debuts at the games in the sprint events.
Moore will also compete in the girls’ U20 triple jump after qualifying for the event with her 11m 70cm leap at the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) CARIFTA Trials.
Straker, two-time CARIFTA Games gold medalist is set to compete in the girls’ U20 800m and 1500m.
The overseas contingent, which includes World Junior 400m silver medalist Kadeica Baird, former National Schools’ Champion sprinter, Ashley Tasher and Syron McKenzie is expected to join the team tomorrow along with Shaun Dietz, Baird’s coach.
Baird, the spearhead of the team, is expected to medal in the girls’ U20 400m is Baird.
She is also set to compete in the 200m.
Tasher, better known as a sprinter in Guyana, will compete in the girls U17 long jump while McKenzie will compete in the boys’ U20, 400m hurdles.
The local team is expected to return home on April 4.
