media_artricles :: 2012

HISTORIC SILVER

T&T's Nero second in NACAC 6K

Tonya Nero entered the history books at the Queen's Park Savannah, in Port of Spain, yesterday, seizing silver in the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Cross Country Championship women's six-kilometre event.

Nero's top-three finish was an unprecedented feat for a Trinidad and Tobago athlete. Before yesterday's Championships, the best-ever individual placing for the country was 11th.

Nero changed that statistic dramatically, getting home in 20 minutes, 33 seconds—six seconds behind the gold medallist, American Liz Costello (20:27).

Another athlete from the United States, Laura Thweatt, picked up bronze in 20:34.

Nero was always among the front-runners in yesterday's race. At the end of the first loop of the two-kilometre course, she was in the top six. And at the bell, the 23-year-old Maracas Valley runner was among the top three.

Late in the final lap, Costello pulled away.

With her title hopes gone, Nero battled hard to secure silver, but Thweatt went past her. Nero, though, had more gas left in her tank, producing a huge effort to overhaul Thweatt and seize the historic silver.

"She (Thweatt) was so close to me," Nero told the Sunday Express, "and the finish line was right there, so I told myself I have to give it my all.

"It feels good," she continued, "because I know I represented the country well. I tried my best."

Nero, who returned home in January after spending more than four years in Kansas, USA pursuing her tertiary education, was thrilled to be back in a red, white and black T&T uniform. She celebrated the occasion with red streaks in her braided hair.

Cheered on by the partisan crowd, Nero stuck to her game plan, staying close to the front of the race.

"I was telling myself if I stay with them I know they would take me a long way. I thought I got used to the heat since coming back to Trinidad, but I'm not used to it yet, so it was hard to breathe. But I just told myself to stay with them and I would have a good race."

The hometown support at the Savannah played a key role in Nero's silver success.

"Everybody was cheering me on and shouting my name. It helped a lot. To God be the glory."

Nero, Donicia Antoine, Thais Gutierrez and Mickayla Ottley combined for women's team silver. The Americans earned gold.

RESULTS

Men's 8K

1 Cameron Levins (Canada) 24:05

2 Christopher Landry (USA) 24:11

3 Elliot Krause (USA) 24:21

19 Jules La Rode (T&T) 26:45

26 Curtis Cox (T&T) 27:25

27 Matthew Hagley (T&T) 28:12

28 Roland Bartholomew (T&T) 28:38

29 Collin Pereira (T&T) 30:29

30 Kenroy Pierre (T&T) 31:37

DNF (Did Not Finish) Clarance Tobias (T&T)

Men's 8K team

1 USA

2 Canada

3 Jamaica

4 T&T

Women's 6K

1 Liz Costello (USA) 20:27

2 Tonya Nero (T&T) 20:33

3 Laura Thweatt (USA) 20:34

10 Donicia Antoine (T&T) 26:41

11 Thais Gutierrez (T&T) 27:33

12 Mickayla Ottley (T&T) 28:52

Women's 6K team

1 USA

2 T&T

Junior men's 6K

1 Jace Lowry (USA) 18:51

2 Adam Braun (USA) 18:55

3 Benjamin Flanagan (Canada) 18:57

22 Akeem Marshall (T&T) 20:05

25 Nicholas Landeau (T&T) 20:12

33 Jevon Joseph (T&T) 22:00

34 Travis Diaz (T&T) 22:20

35 Kyle Johnson (T&T) 22:39

37 Sowande Jackson (T&T) 23:23

Junior men's 6K team

1 USA

2 Canada

3 Puerto Rico

5 T&T

Junior women's 4K

1 Shannon Osika (USA) 13:41

2 Gabrielle Anzalone (USA) 13:48

3 Macy Bricks (USA) 14:00

27 Kechell Douglas (T&T) 20:25

DNF Eleisha Serapio (T&T)

Junior women's 4K team

1 USA

2 Canada

3 Mexico

Community 2K (male)

1 Tyrell Sandiford (Belmont Boys') 7:11

2 Randal Simmons (QRC) 7:22

3 Darion Charles (QRC) 7:24

Community 2K (female)

1 Zara Suite-Stewart (St Joseph's Convent, PoS) 8:34

2 Kaniesha Archibald (Belmont Secondary) 10:24

Community 2K team

1 QRC

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