The road to the South American U-20 Championships has been set for 50 athletes who will carry the Golden Arrowhead at the 2017 edition of the prestigious Games here at the National Track and Field Centre this weekend.
After the team was named recently by the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) following a series of camps, Robert Chisholm, coach of the squad, said he is satisfied with the composition of the outfit, noting that the athletes are fully focused as the biggest junior track and field meet in Guyana’s history approaches.
“I think they will do well because of the type of training that they put in and the kind of splits that they are doing in training,” said Chisholm on Sunday following the Independence 10k road race.
He added, “I can’t see forward but what I know is, they are focused and I know we will get a lot of medals.”
Guyana has won eight medals (three gold, one silver, and 4 bronze) in total at the fixture which started in 1959. According to Chisholm, the home turf advantage could see the athletes surpassing that medal haul over the course of the two-day meet.
Reason? “We are at home and we have more athletes to compete in the events.”
Following the Independence Track meet this past weekend, Chisholm singled out CARIFTA Games medalists, Compton Caesar, Anfernee Headecker, Claudrice McKoy and Chantoba Bright as some of the local athletes he expects to climb the podium steps.
“They have good chances to get gold medals this weekend,” Chisholm reiterated. The full team is as follows:
GIRLS:
Kenisha Phillips (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Onasha Rogers (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Avon Samuels (400m, 4x400m, 4x100m), Collia Rowe (400m, 4x400m), Joanna Archer (800m), Claudrice McKoy (1500m), Serena Williams (1500m), Leyanna Charles (3000m), Kezra Murray (3000m), Delecia Harper (5000m), Tatyana Blair (high jump), Shontel Browne (high jump), Chantoba Bight (long jump, triple jump), Ruth Sanmoogan (long jump, triple jump), Mian McPherson (Shot put, discus), Kimbily Hilliman (Javelin), Jamecia Scott (Discus), Cassie Small (relay), Tonya Rawlins, Tiffauna Garnett, Tandika Haynes (relay)
BOYS:
Compton Caesar (100m, 200m, 4x100m, 4x400m), Tyrell Peters (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Anfernee Headecker (800m, 1500m, 4x400m), Daniel Williams (400m, 4x400m, high jump), Laurindo Prince (400m, 4x400m), Terrence Fraser (400m hurdles), Hosea Glen (400m hurdles), Samuel Lynch (800m, 4x400m), Ruel Chester (1500m), Ronaldo Wishart (3000m, steeplechase), Nigel Gonsalves (3000m, steeplechase), Matthew McKenzie (5000m), Rondell Newton (5000m), Rickie Williams (10000m), Joshua Williams (10000m), Tortque Boyce (high jump), Tremaine Browne (long jump, triple jump), Anthony Williams (long jump, triple jump), Ronaldo Greene (triple jump), Jermaine Simmons (shot put, discus), Timothy Sealey (shot put, javelin), Tremaine Beckles (javelin, discus), Jonathan Garnett (relay), Jermaine King (relay), Ryan Bramble (relay), Stayong Wilson (relay), Dennies Roberts (decathelon), Tevin Nicholson (race walk), Jonathan Copeland (hammer throw).
Meanwhile the National Sports Commission has issued a press release over the issue of some of the athletes sleeping on bleachers instead of the dorms at the National Gymnasium.
Following is the release:-
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has noted reports that some athletes for the South American Games slept on the bleachers at the National Gymnasium instead of in the dorms.
This event is being handled by the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG). However, when the matter was made public, an investigation by the NSC revealed that when the dorms became too warm, some of the athletes, out of their own volition, moved to more open areas so they can enjoy some association and eventually chose not to return to the dorms.
Other athletes and coaches did use the dorms. Even though the event is completely the domain of the AAG, the NSC intervened and provided additional fans for the dorms.
It should be noted that, thanks to Digicel, both the male and female wards were completely refurbished last year and were equipped with new mattresses.
This is part of ongoing efforts to improve the overall functioning of the gymnasium. At this time, the NSC is pleased to report that funds have already been approved to install a cooling system for the entire gymnasium.
The NSC values our athletes and is committed to sport development and would ensure the best efforts are expended to make our valued athletes comfortable.”
The June 3-4 championship will attract in excess of 300 medal chasing athletes from the 12 other South American countries. The AAG was given the rights to host the South American U-20 Championships after confirmation came at the CONSUDATLE Congress which was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in March. (Emmerson Campbell)
