T&T bid for Carifta improvement
By Kwame Laurence kwame.laurence@trinidadexpress.com
Story Created: Apr 4, 2012 at 9:54 PM ECT
Story Updated: Apr 5, 2012 at 4:03 AM ECT
Improvement is the goal for Team Trinidad and Tobago at this weekend's Carifta Games, in Bermuda.
Team manager Dexter Voisin described T&T's fourth-place finish at the 2011 Games, in Jamaica, as "a big disappointment".
"We definitely want to regain our position on the Carifta stage. We want to improve our position from last year."
Voisin told the Express that while all the team goals were not achieved at last weekend's Falcon Games, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, he was pleased with some of the individual performances.
Keshorn Walcott was outstanding, the Toco thrower winning the men's javelin with a 77.53 metres throw--a new national junior (under-20) record, as well as a Central American and Caribbean (CAC) junior record. Walcott will bid for a hat-trick of boys' under-20 javelin titles in Bermuda.
"As manager, I welcome that performance going into the Carifta Games," said Voisin.
Boys' under-20 sprinters Jonathan Holder and Jesse Berkley were also impressive at the Falcon Games. Holder finished third in the men's 100 metres final in 10.54 seconds, while Berkley won the boys' under-20 century title in 10.59.
"I was satisfied with what I saw, especially Berkley. That is a plus for us."
Kernesha Spann topped the women's 400m hurdles field in a personal best 58.61 seconds.
"Spann has been very consistent at the last three Cariftas. I remember her as a mere 12-year old on the team. Now, she has matured and is a senior athlete. I expect a lot from Spann at this meet."
Jereem Richards also clocked a personal best on the weekend, the World Indoor Championship 4x400m bronze medallist winning the boys' under-20 200m in 20.92 seconds.
In the boys' under-20 400m, Machel Cedenio struck gold in 47.73.
"Jereem's experience at World Indoors would have helped him a lot. He's still highly motivated.
"And Cedenio," Voisin continued, "looks very focused. I expect the best from Cedenio."
The team manager said there are "no major concerns where injuries are concerned".
"We're in a very good position, going into the Games. That's always a plus."
Voisin was scheduled to arrive in Bermuda yesterday.
The 45 athletes selected to represent T&T at Carifta 2012, as well as the other team officials and the medical staff leave for Bermuda today.
"The decision to take a smaller team," Voisin explained, "was based heavily on funding. Also, some coaches did an analysis of athletes over the past three to four years who went to the meet, and whether they got a medal or not. The analysis supported the decision to go primarily with qualifiers."
The 2012 Carifta Games start on Saturday and conclude on Easter Monday.
TEAM T&T
Boys' under-20: Jereem Richards (200, 4x100, 4x400), Asa Guevara (200, 4x400), Machel Cedenio (400, 4x400), Mark London (1500), Nicholas Landeau (1500), Ruebin Walters (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles, 4x100, 4x400), Kuniba Stewart (110 hurdles), Kern Alexis (400 hurdles, 4x400), Atiba Wright (long jump), Kevin Roberts (long jump, triple jump), Akeel Edwards (triple jump), Hezekiel Romeo (shot put), Keshorn Walcott (javelin), Akim Phillips (javelin), Jonathan Holder (4x100), Breon Mullings (4x100, 4x400), John Mark Constantine (4x100), Jesse Berkley (4x100)
Girls' under-20: Kernesha Spann (400, 400 hurdles), Domonique Williams (800), Dawnell Collymore (800, 1500), Shaunna Downey (discus), Marielle Pierre (discus), Cherisse Murray (shot put)
Boys' under-17: Nicholas Douglas (100, 200, 4x100), Ron Wright (100, 4x100), Jonathan Farinha (200, 4x100, 4x400), Andwuelle Wright (long jump, 4x100), Edson Moses (long jump, high jump, 4x400), Kenejah Williams (shot put, discus), Shaquille Singuineau (shot put), Precious George (javelin), Jamell Dacon (4x100), Nathan Farinha (4x400), Jamoul Pierre (4x400), Aaron Andrews (4x400)
Girls' under-17: Jeminise Parris (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Alisha St Louis (long jump), Ayana Glasgow (high jump), Meriah Freeman (high jump), Britney Bedlow (discus), Shaiann Charles (discus), Portious Warren (shot put), Chelsea James (shot put), Akidah Briggs (javelin)
Officials: Dexter Voisin (manager), Allan Baboolal (assistant manager), Nadine Hamid (throws coach), Ismael Lopez (throws coach), Robin Brereton (jumps coach), Wendell Williams (jumps coach), Edwin Skinner (sprint & hurdles coach), Althea Busby (sprint & hurdles coach), Gerard Franklyn (sprint & hurdles coach), Juleus Smart (middle & long distance coach), Anyl Gopeesingh (team doctor), Zephyrinus Nicholas (massage therapist), Jason Pilgrim (massage therapist), Lucretia Burns (chaperone), Dawn Washington (chaperone)
