Headquarters, defending champions in the Guyana Police Force’s annual Inter-Division track and field championship, is currently two points behind following a defeat on Sunday morning in a road race relay to ‘A’ Division.
The road relay commenced in front of the Police Officer’s Mess, Eve Leary and proceeded along the East Coast railway before concluding at the starting point. The race featured four males and one female on each team with the first two males running a distance of 2km, the third male 3km followed by the fourth male covering 2km and 1km by a female athlete.
Headquarters had a comfortable lead over their opponents after a powerful first leg run by Kevin Bayley who established an advantage of over 250m before handing the baton to Long/Triple-jump athlete, Troy Williams who suffered muscle cramps during the route.
Williams was eventually overtaken by ‘A’ Division’s Larry Josiah and by the rest of the other athletes. Williams finished in 5th position.
Jowyne Johnson who has some experience in road races opened up a lead of over 300m on Headquarters after collecting the baton from Josiah. A comfortable lead was given to sprinter, Derwin Eastman who then maintained it before handing over to field event athlete, Tracy Moses (female).
Headquarters’ track star, Dennis Horatio (3k) and Nathaniel Giddings (2k) desperately tried to retrieve ground for the defending champions in their respective legs but Moses (‘A’ Division) ran an outstanding 1km and led her team to their first victory in a road race. Coretta McDonald of Headquarters finished some 30m behind, placing her team in second place. Headquarters has never being been defeated in the road race since it started in 2008. ‘C’ Division finished third.
Headquarters Coach, Lyndon Wilson later expressed his disappointment at the road race defeat but was optimistic at retaining the championship title for another year come today when the track and field aspect of the competition starts.
Wilson told Stabroek Sport yesterday afternoon that the team plan remains the same despite the loss, adding that the weather hampered their training session to an extent. However, he said that will not affect them in executing their plan.
He also pointed out that the other Divisions over the years have grown stronger and said that this year’s competition will be much more competitive. Nevertheless, no stone will be left unturned according to the coach. “Our plans still remain the same and we are still focused. We know the other Divisions are coming strong and are getting athletes coming out from the training school into respective Divisions who have been representing the Force nationally and internationally,” he said.
He highlighted that his squad is strong in the middle distance and field events. With the likes of sprint ace Alita Moore, Leota Babb, Nadine Rodrigues and field events record holder Natasha Alder, Headquarters, according to the coach, should have maximum points, “So we are expecting them to produce and to back the other athletes who are not capable of bringing in maximum points,” he explained.
In the male category, the likes of Shawn Cadogan, Raymond Seecharan and Timothy Morrison who have been performing at the national level at the annual track and field Schools Championship will push for full points. They will also be backed by senior athletes like Troy Williams who is capable in the Long and Triple Jumps, Dennis Horatio, Kevin Bayley and Nathaniel Giddings, all middle/long distance athletes. The championship continues today from 10:00am and commences with the Women’s Long Jump finals. This event features Tracy Moses (‘A’ Division) and Cindy Fraser. Moses has a personal best performance of 5m 75cm in the Long Jump. (Juanita Hooper)
