The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) kicked off its 2023 calendar of activities on Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre and some usual suspects were among the standout performers.
Keliza Smith, Annalisa Redmond, Ezekiel Newton and Attoya Harvey all got their competitive juices flowing at the Region 3 facility with wins in perfect conditions for racing.
Smith, of Running Brave Club won the women’s 400m event, crossing the line in 57.14s with just the clock providing competition for the nation’s most dominant and current fastest female. Ruth Sanmoogan (59.63s) and Redmond placed second and third in that order.
Lennox Douglas won the male version of the event in 50.02s. Devaun Barrington finished second in 51.15s, while Lynton Mentis completed the podium in 51.78s.
Redmond showed her diversity, winning the long jump and placing third in the women’s 20+ 400m race.
She clocked 1.00.87s in the quarter miler then changed shoes and disturbed the sand in 5.45m to win ahead of her Police Progressive Youth Club mates, Tasnicka Lovell (5.0m) and Leoni Adams (4.85m).
Adams also recorded a win on the track and on the field in the women’s 20+ 100m (13.84s) and the triple jump (11.60m).
Newton was the fastest man on the track in Sunday, winning the marquee Boys 17-19 100m and 200m. The 18 year-old from
Bladen Hall Secondary clocked 10.50s in the 100m dash, leading DeNeilson Gill (11.24s) and Emmanuel Pyle (11.51s) across the line. Showing sublime early season form, he then returned to win the half-lap event in 21.81s ahead of arch rival Omar James (22.39s) and club mate, Kwesi Tumbler (22.67s).
Harvey completed a double in the Girls 17-19 400m and 800m races.
The Running Brave standout stopped the clock in a brisk 2:32:52s in the two-lap event then earned another gold in for the 400m race in 1:00.72s.
Other athletes in the winner’s row yesterday included: Marissa Thomas – (Girls 14-16 400m (1:01.45s) and 800m (2m: 43.02s), Malachi Austin- Boys 14-16, 400m (52.33s), 53.80s). Enoch Munroe- Boys 17-19, 400m (52.15s).
Eron Leitch, 19, had the longest jump of the day with a leap of 6.89m.
Up next on the AAG’s calendar is another development meet at the Edinburg venue on February 5.
