Despite failing to accomplish their goal of achieving qualifying standards for the Olympic Games, the stand out athletes at last weekend’s National Track and Field Championships had some commendable performances.
Distance aces Winston Missigher, Andrea Foster, Claudrice McKoy and sprinters, Rupert Perry, Davin Fraser and Natrena Hooper provided most of the highlights for the event which was staged at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.
Missigher who has been in sublime form on the road, took his talents to the track and recorded a double, winning the 1500 and the 5000m. His winning times were 4m: 01.30s and 15m: 53.6s.
Double CARIFTA Games bronze medalist, Foster also recorded two wins over the weekend. After striding to victory in the female 1500m (4m: 57.0s) on Saturday, Foster returned the snare gold in the 800m in 2m: 19.25s.
The meet’s fastest man, Perry who had won the 100m on Saturday in 10.4s, had his hopes of a sprint double dashed by club mate, Davin Fraser, surged ahead on the straight to win the half lap event.
Fraser who also anchored the GDF gold medal winning 4x100m relay team, clocked 21.29s in the 200m final to relegate Perry (21.34s) and Arinze Chance (21.84s).
Hooper, who is trying her best to clinch an Olympic berth in the high jump, continued her ascension at the championships.
She posted 1.83m, to take the win ahead of GPF’s Cindy Fraser (1.50m) and Clarissa McBean (1.45m). This follows her 1.78m performance two weeks ago at the Hampton International Games, and places her closer to the 1.93m needed to qualify for the Olympics scheduled for Brazil in two months.
The lanky Hooper also won the triple jump and sprinted to victory in the 200m (24.79s) ahead of Toyan Raymond (25.61s), and 100m winner, Aniqua Powley (25.99s).
McKoy, who represented Guyana at the CARIFTA Games this year, won the 3000m event ahead of arch rival, Ashanti Scott.
The athletes will have another chance at qualifying for the prestigious Games on home soil on June 18when the Aliann Pompey Invitational will be hosted at the same venue. (Emmerson Campbell)
