media_artricles :: 2012

Walcott, Farinha impress at Junior Championships

Eleven track and field athletes affirmed spots for Trinidad and Tobago in the forthcoming World Junior Championships and Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) as the curtains closed on the final day of the 2012 National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Junior Championships concluded at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.

The Boys Under-18 200m final featured Abildene Wildcats athlete, Jonathan Farinha securing places for himself at both international meets. Farinha overpowered all opposition, in what was considered to be the highlighted race of the day, when he sprinted to victory in a blistering 21.19 seconds. The 16-year-old’s golden performance fell just one millisecond under the World Juniors qualifying time of 21.20s and well off the CAC standard of 21.80.

Taking runner-up position in this division was Saturday’s Boys Under- 18 400m winner Machel Cedenio (unattached) in 21.28. His silver medal performance was also good enough to qualify for the CAC. Theon Lewis of Petrotrin Point-a-Pierre claimed the bronze in 22.16.

Petrotrin’s Kayelle Clarke also secured a CAC place when she sprinted to gold in 24.41 of the girls equivalent, just under the required qualifying time of 24.50. Point Fortin New Jets athletes Aaliyah Telesford and Shirnell Ettienne took runner-up and third place respectively.

Olympic-bound javelin thrower, Keshorn Walcott copped the Boys Under-20 title with a massive 69.65m throw. Walcott successfully surpassed the required World Juniors (66.50) and CAC standards (60). Finishing in distant runner-up position was Warriors’ Nicolai Bovelle (54.74m) and third placed Air Bon Sonics’ Stephon Thomas (35.36m).

Meanwhile, Jereem Richards (Quantum) was another athlete to confirm his place at both forthcoming meets, when he emerged victorious in the Boys Under-20 200m. Richards crossed the line in an impressive time of 21.01, bettering the required World Juniors (21.20) and CAC standards (21.40).

Petrotrin’s Ayodele Taffe received silver in 21.43 while Saturday’s Boys Under-20 200m winner Jonathan Holder (10.62) claimed third in 21.47.

Memphis Pioneers’ Peli Alzola fell short of the required qualifying standards in the girls equivalent. Her golden performance in 24.22 saw her defeat unattached athlete Lorra Cruickshank (24.66) and Southern Athletics’ Sade Andrews (24.89).

Neon Trackers, Kernesha Spann added two more gold medals to her one on Saturday, when she powered to victory in the Girls Under-20 400m hurdles and the 4x400 relay respectively. Spann was in total control and finished in 1:00.43 of the 200m. She defeated runner-up Zenith’s Rachel Gregoire (1:19.50).

In the 4x400 relay, Spann’s team of Jessica King, Vanessa Andrews and Ayoka Cummings rallied to gold (3:50.58) over Memphis Pioneers’ Kafi Ottley, Je-risa James, Tsai-Anne Joseph and Jeminise Sade Parris (3:53.67).

Other Results:

Girls U-18 Discus: 1. Shaiann Charles (D’abadie) 40.85m; 2. Marielle Pierre (Burnley) 36.54m; 3. Brithney Bedlow (Tobago Falcons) 34.30m

Boys U-18 110m Hurdles: 1. Kevin Roberts (P/Fortin N/Jets) 15.15; 2. Victor Isaac (Toco Tafac) 16.16; 3. Malik Tarbell (Zenith) 16.52

Girls U-18 400m Hurdles: 1. Antonia Attale (Cougars) 1:07.44; 2. Shahaweh Arthur (Zenith) 1:12.21

Boys U-18 400m Hurdles: 1. Reubin Walters (Memphis); 2. Jameel Joseph (Abildene) 57.41; 3. Matthew Elliot (Foundation) 1:02.89

Boys U-18 Triple Jump: 1. Che Richards (Oasics) 13.14m

Boys U-18 Shot Put: 1. Kenejah Williams (Tobago Falcons) 17m; 2. Shervonne Worrell (Zenith) 16.33m; 3. Shaqui Singuineau (Abildene) 13.48m

Girl U-20 800m: 1. Dawnel Collymore (Memphis) 2:16.61; 2. Dominique Williams (Burnley) 2:28.22

Boys U-20 800m: 1. Mark London (Zenith) 1:51.82; 2. Jerrad Mason (Rising Stars) 1:53.72.

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