media_artricles :: 2015

Clarke Hunts 100 Medal

Kayelle Clarke will bid for honours in the Carifta Games girls’ under-20 100 metres event, at the Silver Jubilee Athletic Stadium here in Basseterre, St Kitts, today.

Clarke is the defending champion in the 200m, but the Trinidad and Tobago sprinter is also keen to secure a medal in the shorter sprint.

“I’m set to take back my title,” Clarke told the Express, following a training session yesterday, “and probably get the record at the Carifta Games in the 200. I plan to medal in the 100 as well.”

The record Clarke is hoping to break is Bahamian Shaunae Miller’s 22.77 seconds standard, established at the 2013 Carifta Games in Nassau, Bahamas. The 19-year-old T&T athlete is planning to clock “about a 22.7 (in the 200), and maybe an 11.3 or 11.2 (in the 100).”

Clarke is a freshman at New Mexico Junior College, and arrived here on Thursday night from her US training base. She explained that the New Mexico experience has been a challenging one.

“Totally different from back in the Caribbean. Where I train is high altitude so I guess it’s good for Caribbean (athletes), but it’s really tough.”

Clarke competed indoors for the first time this year. She said the transition was difficult at first.

“I wasn’t accustomed to the track and the altitude, but the Indoor Nationals was good. I’m pleased with my performance there.”

Clarke clocked 23.86 seconds to finish first in her section and fourth overall at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Indoor Track and Field Championships, in New Mexico.

On March 21, Clarke produced a 24.16 seconds run in her 200m outdoor opener. And six days later, at the Texas Relays, she clocked 11.98 in her 100m opener.

“I was not that focused in the 100, but I’m focused now,” Clarke declared.

Kadesha Prescott is also expected to represent T&T in the girls’ under-20 100m. Xavier Mulugata and Francis Louis are listed for the boys’ under-20 century. Akanni Hislop and Tyrel Edwards are the T&T sprinters in the boys’ under-18 100. And in the girls’ under-18 category, Akeera Esdelle and 13-year-old Deleth Charles will fly the Red, White and Black.

The 400m heats were contested late yesterday. The finals take place this evening. Also on today’s schedule is the boys’ under-20 1500m, which should feature T&T’s Ashton Gill and Iley Bruce.

Omari Benoit is among the T&T field athletes who will bid for precious metal today. Benoit competes in the boys’ under-20 high jump.

Kenejah Williams will do battle in the boys’ under-20 shot put. In the boys’ under-18 shot put, Isaiah Taylor and Tyriq Horsford will be on show.

Akidah Briggs is listed for the girls’ under-18 shot put and javelin events. Peaches Stewart is one of Briggs’ rivals in the shot put. Safiya John and Chevelle McPherson compete in the girls’ under-18 long jump. And Franklyn Stanislaus will be the lone T&T athlete in the boys’ under-18 high jump.

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