media_artricles :: 2012

Walcott leads CAC, World Junior qualifiers

Olympic qualifier Keshorn Walcott heads the list of 32 athletes who have attained the qualifying standards for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Track and Field Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador from June 29 to July 1. Walcott is also one of 11 who surpassed the World Junior standards. The qualifying athletes made their marks at the National Junior Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on the weekend. Walcott (Rebirth) only needed one throw of 69.65 to get over the CAC Junior standard of 60.00. His winning effort was close to 11 metres short of his Olympic B qualifying mark of 80.11 which he achieved in Cuba last weekend. The Toco thrower said his goal was to attain the CAC standard. “I just threw to qualify. Things did not go as planned because since I returned from Cuba (on Tuesday). I did not train until Friday. My plan was to come out and to take one throw and then go back into training for the next two weeks to prepare for the National Championships,” said Walcott.

The Toco Secondary graduate also sailed over the World Junior standard of 66.50m. This year’s World Junior Championships are carded for Barcelona, Spain from July 10 to 15. The 2012 World Junior leader is eyeing a podium finish in Barcelona. “My goal is to qualify for the (World Junior) finals and then to win a medal. I achieved another goal, which was qualifying for the Olympics. It was not my first goal though, as medalling at the World Juniors is my focus.” Reflecting on his 80.11m winning performance in Cuba one week ago, Walcott said the the competitors motivated him. “The competition was better as there were others who were throwing well, so I went out there knowing I had to come good to win,” he said.

The lanky thrower thanked God for his success and also paid tribute to his coach Ishmael Lopez: “I want to thank first, God, because you know without Him all of this would not have been possible. Hard work and determination were also integral to me doing so well. I want to thank my coach who has been helping me so far. “Thanks too to Sean Roach who has made all the arrangements to get us to move to Port-of-Spain. I am thankful for everything and intend to keep working.”

The-19-year old made his second trip to Cuba after he was on the island in May on a training stint. “The training was not much different to what I was doing. I did more technique work though. I worked with my coach (Lopez) and also specialised coaches who helped. I gained improvement and would like to return.” Double winners Jereem Richards (boys under 20 200/400), Jeminise Parris (girls under-18 100m Hurdles/400), Mark London (boys under-20 800/1500), Nicholas Landeau (boys under-18 800/1500), Ruebin Walters (boys under-18 110m hurdles/400m hurdles) were also among the athletes to notched CAC qualifying marks. Brandon Benjamin (boys under-20 400/400m Hurdles), Shervonne Worrell (boys under-18 shot put/discus), Kayelle Clarke (girls under-18 100/200), Javon Joseph (boys under-18 1500/3,000), Machel Cedenio (boys under-18 200/400) were all double qualifiers. Kevin Roberts was the lone triple qualifier as he surpassed the boys under-18 octathlon standard of 4,000 points in winning the eight event discipline with 5,071 with the top six all getting over the mark.

Roberts also attained the long jump (6.75)and high jump (1.90) with distances of 6.85 and 1.90 in the Octathlon competition.

Hezekeil Romeo (boys under-20 shot put), Kenejah Williams (boys under-18 shot put), Aaliyah Telesford (girls under-18 100m) Zakiya Denoon (girls under-18 100), Jonathan Holder (boys under 20 100m), Ashron Sobers (boys under-20 100m), Jonathan Farinha (boys under-18 200m), Theon Lewis (boys under-18 400), Asa Guevara (boys under-18 400), Andwuelle Wright (boys under-18 long jump), Portious Warren (girls under-18 shot put), Shaquille Waithe (boys under-18 javelin), Ayanna Glasgow(girls under-18 Heptathlon), Meriah Freeman (girls under-18 Hept), Kechelle Douglas (girls under-20 Heptathlon), Victor Isaac, Kashief King, Malik Tarbell and Ashton Gill were all in the boys under-18 Octathlon).

Walters won the boys under-18 110m hurdles in 13.68 into a 1.4m/s head wind and then the 400m hurdles in 53.20 getting under the 14.20 and 54.00 CAC Junior standards respectively. The Mucurapo Memphis East/ Pioneers athlete said he felt he could run faster in the 110m hurdles but the head wind slowed him down. The 2011 World Youth semifinalist was pleased with his double win. “I came out and perfected all I did in training and the results were great. Competing at the Quantum Classic (on May 19) boosted my confidence as I ran with the bigger guys and broke the 14 seconds barrier. My (110m hurdles) win indicated that the my training is going great,” said Walters. He is now aiming to repeat his double win at the CAC Junior champs. Walters’ training mate Brandon Benjamin won the boys under-20 400m hurdles in a personal best time of 51.79, going under the CAC Juniors (53.00) and World Junior 53.34) times. Benjamin said his training with world junior champion Jehue Gordon was a key to his success. “He motivates us every day. He started a camp in our training session,” said Benjamin.

The St Augustine Secondary student added that he is looking to improve: “I still have some cleaning up to do (in the hurdles) as I want to get done to 50 seconds.” Former Carifta champion Landeau got the boys under-18 1500m mark of 4:10.00 as he won in 4:08.58. In the 800m he crossed the line in 1:58.17, 0.17 off the the 1:58.00 standard. However, the 2012 Carifta boys under-20 5,000m silver medallist, clocked 1:56.61 at the Mannie Remjohn Games on April 22. The Belmont Boys/Air Bon Sonics was happy with his wins and added that he will be seeking to get the World Juniors standard at the National Open Championships later this month. Telesford of Holy Name Convent was the fastest female at the Championships streaking to 11.70 to win the girls under-18 100m. The Pt Fortin New Jest sprinter qualified for the CAC Juniors (12.05) and also World Juniors (11.80). She was faster than the under-20 winner Lisa Wickham (Concorde) 11.86. Telesford said she was surprised at her winning time. “The time shocked me because I didn’t know I would have run that fast. (Coming into the meet) I was very focussed as I was trying to make up not qualifying for the Carifta Games as I did not make the standard. I worked very hard to make the standard this time,” said Telesford.

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