The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) staged its second ‘Development meet’ of the 2023 season at the National Track and Field Centre and some familiar names were among the standout performers.
Keliza Smith, Tiana Springer, Ezekiel Newton and Simeon Adams were once again up to their winning ways at the Edinburg facility which provided perfect conditions for a track meet.
Smith, of Running Brave Club won the women’s 100 and 400m events, crossing the line in 1:02.26s with just the clock providing competition for the nation’s most dominant and current fastest female. Alisha Fortune (1:04.60s) and Shaquane Daniels (1:08.08s) placed second and third in that order.
Simeon Adams won the male version of the event in 48.95s. Nicholas Denhert finished second in 50.45s, while Lennox Douglas completed the podium in 51.21s.
Smith won the blue riband 100m in 11:69s, leading Cassey Small (11.85s) and Ruth Sanmoogan across the line.
Small however led a Police Progressive Youth Club sweep of the women’s 20+ 200m (25.20s) event, with Annalisa Redmond (25.52s) second and Atavia Johnson (29.04s) third.
Sanmoogan showed her diversity, winning the long jump and placing third in the 100m. She clocked 12:07s in the race then changed shoes and disturbed the sand in 5.99m to win ahead of Police Progressive Youth Club mates, Redmond (5.50m) and Tasnicka Lovell (5.06m). Newton was the fastest man on the track once again on Sunday as he was following the first meet two weeks ago, sprinting to victory in the marquee Boys 17-19 100m and 200m. The 18 year-old from Bladen Hall Secondary clocked 10.60s in the 100m dash, leading Angus Lynch (10.86s) and Kwesi Tumbler (10.95s) across the line. Showing sublime early season form, he then returned to win the half-lap event in 21.59s ahead of arch rival Omar James (22.12s) and DeNeilson Gill (22.54s).
Springer also completed a double, but in the Girls 14-16, 100m and 400m races.
The Running Brave standout stopped the clock in a brisk 12.15s in the straight event then earned another gold in for the 400m race in 56.35s. Other athletes in the winner’s row yesterday included: Attoya Harvey (Girls 17-19 1500m 5:03.63s) Naris McPherson (Girls 17-19 400m (57.50s), Ajani Cutting- Boys 14-16, 400m (52.03s), Enoch Munroe- Boys 17-19, 400m (51.81s).
Staffon Roach had the longest jump of the day with a leap of 7.13m.
Up next on the AAG’s calendar is the NSC Athletics Junior League (CARIFTA Trials) on February 18-19 at the Edinburg venue. Harvey, Newton, Springer, McPherson and Cutting will be among those gunning to book their ticket on the national CARIFTA team. This year, the 50th edition of the Games will be hosted by the Bahamas during the Easter weekend.
