Richard Thompson named in CAC 34
By Kwame Laurence (Express).
Double Olympic silver medallist Richard Thompson heads the list of 34 athletes selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the July 15-17 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Senior Track and Field Championships, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
Thompson, who finished second to Jamaican sensation Usain Bolt in the men's 100 metres final at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, has been picked for the 100m dash in Mayaguez.
The other T&T sprinter listed for the men's century is Keston Bledman. Bledman joined the sub-10 club when he clocked an impressive 9.93 seconds to win at a meet in Florida, USA, on June 4.
The six athletes chosen on the men's 4x100m squad are Thompson, Bledman, Rondel Sorrillo, Darrel Brown, Emmanuel Callender and Mikel Thomas.
Sorrillo and Callender are expected to face the starter in the 200m, while Thomas will be T&T's lone representative in the men's 110m hurdles.
World Championship bronze medallist Renny Quow leads the charge in the men's 400m. World junior champion Jehue Gordon is listed for action in the men's 400m hurdles. And Kyron Blaise has been selected to compete in the men's long jump.
Also on show in Mayaguez will be throwers, Robert Collingwood (shot put), Quincy Wilson (discus) and Keshorn Walcott (javelin).
Kelly-Ann Baptiste will be a contender for gold in the women's 100m dash.
Commonwealth Games silver medallists Ayanna Alexander and Cleopatra Borel have also been selected. Alexander is listed to compete in the women's triple jump, while Borel will do battle in the women's shot put.
Janeil Bellille and World Championship bronze medallist Josanne Lucas have been named for the women's 400m hurdles.
Notable absentees from the T&T team are sprinters Marc Burns and Aaron Armstrong.
Team T&T
Men—Keston Bledman (100, 4x100), Richard Thompson (100, 4x100) Rondel Sorrillo (200, 4x100), Emmanuel Callender (200, 4x100), Renny Quow (400, 4x400), Lalonde Gordon (400, 4x400), Mikel Thomas (110h, 4x100), Jehue Gordon (400h, 4x400), Kyron Blaise (long jump), Robert Collingwood (shot put), Quincy Wilson (discus), Keshorn Walcott (javelin), Darrel Brown (4x100), Zwede Hewitt (4x400), Jarrin Solomon (4x400), Ade Alleyne-Forte (4x400)
Women—Kelly-Ann Baptiste (100, 4x100), Semoy Hackett (100, 200, 4x100), Kai Selvon (200, 4x100), Pilar Mc Shine (1500), Tonya Nero (10000), Aleesha Barber (100h, 4x100), Janeil Bellille (400h, 4x400), Josanne Lucas (400h), Scarla Nero (3000st), Ayanna Alexander (triple jump, 4x100), Cleopatra Borel (shot put), Annie Alexander (shot put, discus), Ashlee Smith (discus), Michelle-Lee Ahye (4x100), Afiya Walker (4x400), Sparkle Mc Knight (4x400), Alena Brooks (4x400), Magnolia Howell (4x400)
Officials—George Comissiong (manager), Dr Ian Hypolite (coach), Gunness Persad (coach), Ian Carter (coach), Joyce Thomas (coach), Robin Brereton (coach)
Medical staff—Dr Anyl Gopeesingh, Verne Alleyne, Fitz Alleyne