Several of the CARIFTA Games bound athletes showed up Saturday at the National Track and Field Centre and recorded personal best or season best performances competing against their senior rivals. Quite a few of the teen stars, seemingly are peaking at the right time ahead of the 50th edition of the athletic showpiece scheduled for the Bahamas during the Easter weekend.
Guyana’s fastest female junior athlete, Athaley Hinckson dipped under the 12-second mark in the 100m for the first time in her career yesterday.
The 15-year-old Running Brave Athletic Club standout clocked a personal best 11.91s in the blue riband event which was won by Keliza Smith in 11.61s in brilliant sunshine.
During the NSC Junior League, two weeks ago, Hinckson crossed the tape in 12.06s to win the event.
Ezekiel Newton also placed second in the 100m to seasoned senior athlete Noelex Holder (10.30s), however, the 18 year-old ran his fastest dash for the season, clocking 10.46s.
Newton is already qualified to represent Guyana at the Games in both the 100m and 200m events.
Tianna Springer, 16, already qualified for the 200m and 400m, recorded a personal best, 54.68s, breaking the 55-second barrier.
Based on her timing, she will be among the favourites to medal in those event in the 242.
During the league, she finished the quarter mile event in 55.45s, then a personal best. Javon Roberts, 16, is also showing sublime form after running a season’s best 1:57.26s in the 800m yesterday.
Last year’s CARIFTA Games silver medalist finished the event in second place after being pushed by Devaun Barrington, 30, who took the spoils in 1:55.87s in his season debut.
Roberts finished his two-lap pet event in 1:58.04s during the league two weeks ago.
Guyana’s official qualifiers for CARIFTA 2023 so are sprinters, Newton, Springer, Malachai Austin and Hinckson.
Middle distance maestros, and medalists at last year’s CARIFTA Games in Jamaica, Attoya Harvey and Roberts along with jumpers, Tamera Harvey and Ezekiel Saul.
However, President of Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson told this publication yesterday that the association will look at the performances of all the athletes and make its submission to NACAC tomorrow.
Harvey and Roberts will return to the Games after bettering the standards set in their respective 3000m and 800m events. Harvey who won a set of medals (gold, silver and bronze) last year, clocked 10:42.56s in the seven and a half-lap race.
Tamera disturbed the sand in 5.55m to win the Girls U-17 long jump event, while Saul hopped, skipped and jumped to 13.61m to win the Boys age group version of the triple jump.
They would both be making their Games debuts in the Bahamas.
