Middle distance star Cassey George and junior sprint sensation Tirana Mitchell won medals on yesterday’s final day of the XLII CARIFTA Games at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in The Bahamas enabling Guyana to walk away from the meet with a total of six medals.
George, who is only 14-years-old won the silver medal in the girls’ U17 800 meters after landing Guyana its first gold medal on day one of the competition in the girls U17 1500m.
George, of the Mining town of Linden, finished second in the 800m in 2:12.64 seconds. The event was won by Bermuda’s Faheemah Scraders who clocked 2:11.62 seconds.
Lakeisha Warner of the British Virgin Islands finished third in 2:12.71 seconds.
Mitchell, of Mercury Fast Laners, made her way to the podium in the girls’ U17 200m finals with a third place finish in 24.05 seconds. Natalliah Whyte earned a sprint double with her 23.65 seconds finish which saw her placing first ahead of Bahamas’ Jenae Ambrose 24.04 seconds. Guyana’s Avon Samuels finished eighth in 25.54 seconds. Both Mitchell and Samuels achieved personal best times in the 200m finals.
Jason Yaw was unable to medal in the U17 200m finals after finishing fifth in 21.96 seconds, a new personal best time. Yaw entered the finals with a time of 22.39 seconds.
The event was won by Jamaica’s Martin Manely in 21.35 second. Behind Manely were Mario Burke of Barbados and Jaheel Hyde of Jamaica who finish second and third respectively in 21.35 seconds and 21.45 seconds.
Meanwhile, Jevina Straker finished her junior career at the games with one gold medal in the girls’ U20 1500m after finishing in seventh place in the girls’ U20 800m. Straker clocked 2:15.59 seconds in the race.
The race was won by Simoya Campbell of Jamaica in 2:06.22 seconds. Sonia Gaskin of Barbados claimed the runner-up position in 2:06.84 seconds while Titania Markland of Jamaica finished third in 2:09.74 seconds.
Guyana Teacher’s Union National Schools Championship former sprinter/record holder Ashley Tasher and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) junior 100m champion, Alita Moore were unable to medal in the jumps.
Tasher finished 11th in the girls’ U17 long jump with her best jump of 5m 27cm while Moore placed sixth in the girls’ U20 triple jump with her best leap of 12m 14cm, a new personal best.
The local team is expected to arrive in Guyana on Thursday.
