media_artricles :: 2014

Barefooted Johnson, Shukla win National Cross Country

Kelvin Johnson and Samantha Shukla captured the 2014 NGC/NAAA National Cross Country Championships male and female titles respectively when the annual tourney sprinted off at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, on Sunday.

The barefooted Johnson took control of the pack in the early stages of the 8km four-lap event by speeding to the front in the opening lap. The Guyanese athlete continued to extend his lead and maintained his pace, clocking a golden time of 28 minutes and 43 seconds. He beat to the line eventual runner-up George Smith (TT Defence Force) who clocked 29:21 and third placed Sherwin Stapleton (29:28). Veteran Kade Sobers tried to keep with Johnson’s pace but fell back, finishing fourth. Meanwhile, reigning World 400m hurdles champion Jehue Gordon, also competed, using the race as part of his off-season training for the 2015 track and field calendar. Last year’s champions Janelle Nedd and Kendis Bullard did not compete. Additionally, in the women’s equivalent, Shukla copped the 6km event in 24 minutes 56 seconds in wet conditions. She powered to victory ahead of the Memphis Pioneers duo of Dawnel Collymore (25:42) and Alena Brooks (26:08).

The St Joseph’s Convent graduate opened up a good lead in the first of the three-lap race and maintained her advantage to the end. Collymore on the other hand, had to settle for silver for another year.

After her win, Shukla expressed satisfaction with her effort, stating, “I would say my performance was a strong one. This is the first time competing in (a) cross country (race) since I left Wichita State (University). I want to thank God for being able to win as I was not feeling (well) this morning.”

The Beetham resident is now intent on medalling for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2015 NACAC Cross Country Championships in Colombia in February.

Gordon also expressed pleasure with his effort and the much-needed exercise, “Today was just to work on the conditioning aspect of training. It was a solid run overall. It was about working on endurance to help my race. This year, (for the first time), I competed in two development (cross country) meets before this championships.”

In other divisions, Iley Bruce (Dovers) copped the Men’s Under-20 6K (22:03) ahead of Joshua James (Cougars) 22:23 and Atiba Samuel (Petrotrin Palo Seco) 22:31. Donicia Antoine (Toco Titans) secured the Junior women’s 4K in 17:08 ahead of Elia Nero (Unattached) 17:43 and her Toco club-mate Mikayla Ottley, 17:45.

Jaden St Louis (Cougars) took the Boys under 16 2K (6:47) while Jordan Cooper (Petrotrin Palo Seco) 7:23 and Caliyah Wallace (Cougars) 8:31 were the winners of the boys and girls Under-14 2K respectively. The boys and girls Under-10 One lap titles went to Jahfa Woodley (Memphis Pioneers) and Xea Bruxe (Toco Titans).

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