media_artricles :: 2018

Gittens breaks T&T pentathlon record

Tyra Gittens established a new national record in the women's pentathlon at the Razorback Invitational indoor track and field meet in Arkansas, USA, last Friday. The Texas A&M University freshman bagged bronze with 4,009 points, becoming the first Trinidad and Tobago athlete to hit the 4,000-mark in the five-discipline event.

Taliyah Brooks was the class of the field, the American claiming top spot with 4,395 points. German Louisa Grauvogel totalled 4,253 to claim the runner-up spot.

For Gittens, the 60 metres hurdles was the most fruitful discipline, the 19-year-old finishing fourth in 8.57 seconds to secure 1,002 points. She was second in the high jump with a 1.75m clearance, earning 916 points. Gittens was also second in the long jump with a 5.89m leap (816 points). She threw 12.32m (682 points) for fourth spot in the shot put, and closed off the pentathlon by finishing seventh in the 800m in two minutes, 38.29 seconds (593 points).

With her fine Arkansas effort, Gittens replaced Charisse Bacchus as the T&T women's indoor pentathlon record holder. Bacchus had established the previous standard of 3,830 points back in 2005. In 2004, Marsha Mark-Baird totalled 3,958 in the pentathlon. However, the score was achieved on an oversized track and not recognised as a national record.

Louisiana State University (LSU) sophomore Akanni Hislop finished fourth in the Razorback Invitational men's 200m in an indoor best 21.16 seconds. He was 13th fastest in the 60m dash in 6.94. Another T&T/LSU sprinter, Zakiya Denoon was 11th overall in the women's 200m in 23.61 and 13th in the 60m in 7.41.

At the Puma Indoor Invitational, in Arizona, Cherisse Murray threw the iron ball a personal best 15.92m to strike gold in the women's shot put. Murray also triumphed in the weight throw event, the Central Arizona College freshman producing a 14.71m effort.

Asa Guevara was in fine form at the Texas Tech Classic. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) senior clocked an indoor best 46.77 seconds to snap up silver in the men's 400m.

In Alabama, Marc Burns seized silver in the KMS Invitational men's 60m dash. The veteran T&T sprinter got to the line in 6.78 seconds.

At the Queens Grace Jackson Track Meet, in Jamaica, Kern Alexis finished 10th overall in the men's 400m in 48.28 seconds. Emmanuel Callender was 25th in 49.85. And in the men's 60m dash, Jonathan Farinha clocked 6.76 for 12th spot in the event.

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