That is the number of athletes that have so far punched their tickets to this year’s CARIFTA Games in Jamaica so far following the first trials staged last Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre.
However, that number could be doubled or even tripled according to President of the local track body, Aubrey Hutson.
With two more trials looming, the track association expects more athletes to join, Wesley Tyndall, Anisha Gibbons, Keliza Smith, Attoya Harvey and Adriel Austin, the qualifiers so far.
“We expect that number to double or even triple after the next two trials,” said Hutson yesterday. “We are catering for 15 since athletes generally perform better as the season progresses,” Hutson added.
The next trials are scheduled for next weekend and March 6 at the National Track and Field Centre.
Smith, 18, punched her ticket in the 100m, Tyndall (long jumper) and Gibbons (javelin) qualified in the field events while Austin and Harvey went under the qualifying standard in the 800m and 1500m respectively
Meanwhile, long jumper, Melon Lowenfield and quarter-miler, Naris McPherson
(57.44s) were among the athletes who were close to the qualifying marks in their respective events last weekend.
Lowenfield, who disturbed the sand in 7.03m, needed a leap of 7.10m while McPherson needed to run 57.00s to qualify for Jamaica.
“The Land of Wood and Water’ is set to host this year’s Games from April 16 to 18 after receiving their government’s backing following the cancellation of the last two editions due to COVID-19.
The 2020 event was scheduled to be held in Bermuda but was then postponed to 2021 before being cancelled as a result of ongoing coronavirus-related concerns in that territory and worldwide.
Guyana is set to host the 50th edition next year.
