Aliann Pompey Invitational
– no athlete achieved Olympic qualification standard
Although no athlete managed to secure an Olympic qualification standard, Guyanese Deshana Skeete turned in a commendable performance to win the women’s 200m, while her teammate Aliyah Abrams was equally impressive as she took gold in the women’s 400m at the Aliann Pompey Invitational yesterday.
Staged at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, Skeete clocked 23.644 seconds to win the event, ahead of Michelle Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago in 24.166 and third-place Milagros Duran of Dominica in 24.999.
Similarly, Abrams took the top podium spot in a time of 52.005, while fellow Guyanese Kenisha Phillips and Tianna Springer placed second and third in 52.860 and 52.916 seconds, respectively.
Meanwhile, Guyanese Leslain Baird won the men’s javelin with a throw of 73.79 metres, while Anthony Diaz of Trinidad and Tobago claimed silver with 68.52 metres and Gabriel Lim of Guyana claimed bronze with 64.22 metres.
Analissa Redmond of Guyana kept the Golden Arrow Head aloft as she captured gold in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.05m, while her compatriot Leoni Adams took the runner-up spot with 5.28m, and another Guyanese, Shanei Campbell, placed third at 5.24 m.
Also, Matthew Gordon of Guyana claimed the top podium spot in the men’s 800m in a time of 1 minute, 51.226 seconds, ahead of fellow Guyanese Devau Barington and Nicholas Daw in 1:51. 640 and 1:53.268 in that order.
Guyaness Emmanuel Archibald won gold in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.67m, while Laquan of the Bahamas placed second with 7.58m and Henry Frayne of Australia was third with 7.50m.
The men’s 200m was taken by Nadale Buntin of St. Kitts and Nevis in a time of 20.862 seconds, while Joseph Amoah of Ghana took the runner-up spot in 20.864, followed by Guyanese Shamar Horatio in 20.886.
On the other hand, Reuben Walters of Trinidad and Tobago claimed gold in the men’s 100m hurdles in a time of 13.658, ahead of Zaza Wellington of Liberia in 13.690 and third-placed Isaias Bless of Dominica in 13.698.
Amoah Joseph took gold in the men’s 100m A Class in 10.35 seconds, while Emmanuel Archibald placed second in 10.37 and Alexander Ogando of Dominica was third in 10.41.
Jason Rogers of St. Kitts and Nevis won the men’s 100m B Class followed by Patrick Abel of Guyana and Kyle Greaux of Trinidad and Tobago, respectively.
Michelle Ahye Lee of Trinidad and Tobago overpowered her rivals to win the women’s 100m in 11.493 seconds; Jasmine Abrams of Guyana pocketed silver in 11.531; and Keliza Smith of Guyana claimed bronze in 11.543.
The Men’s 400m title went to Lidio Feliz of Dominica, who clocked 46.023 seconds; Evan Mafilas of the USA placed second in 46.398; and Nefer Santana of Dominica was third in 46.516.
Trinidad and Tobago won the men’s 4x100m relay in a time of 39.086 seconds, followed by the Dominican Republic in 39.321 and Guyana in 39.712 in that order.
While no athlete managed to gain qualification for the Olympic Games slated for July 26–August 11, the event was keenly contested, and former Guyanese Olympian Aliann Pompey said she was happy that the event was successful and will continue to strive to make it a bigger showpiece.
