By Michelangelo Jacobus
The highly decorated youth sprinter Tiana Springer, along with rising star Ezekiel Newton, will headline the Guyana athletics contingent to Paramaribo, Suriname, for the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) from November 17–19.
Springer, who boasts medals at the Carifta Games, the Commonwealth Youth Games, and the South American U-20 Championships, will sprint into action in the 200m and 400m races, while Newton, also a South American U-20 medalist, will represent the Golden Arrowhead in the 100m and 200m events.
Meanwhile, Jevon Roberts of the Running Brave Track Club, fast making a name for himself in the middle distance arena, will turn out in the 800m and 1500m.
The coaches that have been selected to make the trip along with the athletes are Christopher Gaskin, Robin Phillips, and Carla Rodney.
Speaking to Stabroek News Sports, Vice President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Niall Stanton, expressed full confidence in the team of athletes selected to represent Guyana at the IGG.
He expounded, “I think this is a well-put-together team. The reason being, the athletes selected themselves at the Inter Guiana Games trials through their own hard work. Added to that, most of them would have had international competition experience this year. So I think the government of Guyana and the AAG are looking forward to this team doing a remarkable job. Success can only come by them going out there on the day and doing what they have to do”.
Another factor that Stanton feels is key to the track and field athletes doing well in Suriname is the calibre of coaches that will accompany them.
“Also, there are competent coaches, a highly experienced head coach in Mr. Gaskin; you have Carla Rodney and Robin Philips, who is the coach of Ezekiel (Newton). Ms. Rodney has been around the sport for a number of years with Club SUR (Super Upcoming Runners). In 2016–2018, SUR was a dominant club at the junior level, and Ms. Rodney played an integral part in that success. I think the team that is going out there is prepared; they have been training, and they will be successful”, he explained.
The Inter-Guiana Games were first held in 1967 and are traditionally held on an annual basis. However, the event had a five-year hiatus and were only resuscitated last year at the behest of the Guyanese government.
IGG Track & Field Team
Officials:
Coaches: Christopher Gaskin, Carla Rodney, Robin
Phillips Physiotherapist: Noelex Holder
Technical Official: Keniesha Headley
Manager: Mayfield Taylor-Trim
Athletes & Events:
100M Girls: Athaleyha Hinckson, Krystal Morris
100M Boys: Ezekiel Newton, Jaheel Cornette
200M Girls: Tianna Springer, Athaleyha Hinckson
200M Boys: Ezekiel Newton, Jaheel Cornette
400M Girls: Tianna Springer, Joanna Anton
400M Boys: Enock Munroe, Afi Blair
800M Girls: Joanna Anton, Marissa Thomas
800M Boys: Jevon Roberts, Kaiden Persaud
1500M Girls: Esther McKinnon, Marissa Thomas
1500M Boys: Jevon Roberts, Jamol Sullivan
300M Girls: Esther McKinnon, Donel Fraser
5000M Boys: Jamol Sullivan, David Bovell
Shot Put Girls: Latifah James, Tamara Mingo
Shot Put Boys: Jamie Fraser, Jaheme Henry
Discus Girls: Latifah James, Sheneque Holder
Discus Boys: Jamie Fraser, Jaheme Henry
Javelin Girls: Sheneque Holder, Tamara Mingo
Javelin Boys: Kaidon Persaud, Robert Marcus
Long Jump Girls: Amritsar Hector, Tamara Harvey
Long Jump Boys: Rodel Greene, Emanuel Adams
Triple Jump Girls: Krystal Morris, Amritsar Hector
Triple Jump Boys: Rodel Greene, Robert Marcus
High Jump Girls: Zeryssa McRae
High Jump Boys: Emmanuel Adams
