media_artricles :: 2015

Richards grabs four titles

Neon Trackers’ Patrice Richards won four gold medals at the 2015 NGC/NAAA National Juvenile Track and Field Championships, which ended at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on Sunday. After two days of action, Richards was victorious in the Girls Under-14 60m hurdles, long jump, 400m and 800m events and missed a fifth when she had to settle for second in the 300m hurdles.

The Holy Faith Convent, Couva student secured the 60m hurdles and 400m crowns on Saturday and then the high jump and 800m on Sunday. In the 60m hurdles, the triple gold medallist at the Secondary Schools Champs in April was first across the line in 9.48, ahead of the Memphis Pioneers duo of Rae-Ann Serville (9.60) and Jayda Williams (10.57).

In the one lap race, Richards was again champion (58.97) ahead of Serville (1:00.39) and Zenith’s Shanika Belfon (1:05.29). On Sunday Richards collected her third gold, taking the long jump with a distance of 4.66 with Ashby (4.62) in second and Peneiel John (Cougars) in third (4.34).

Her fourth title came in the 800m, stopping the clock in 2:37.20 ahead of 1000m winner Faith Dean of Silver Bullets (2:43.27) and Claudine Antoine of Neon Trackers (2:46.84). Richards was denied her fifth title by Serville who got revenge in the 300m hurdles, winning in 45.60, 53.26. Aaliyah Hercules of Oasics was third (54.13). While Richards shone individually, Cougars Athletic club members combined to dominate the meet winning 30 medals (16 gold, 5, silver, 9 bronze).

The green and black clad Cougars youngsters made their intentions clear early, capturing the first gold of the championships as Karessa Kirton won the girls under 12 long jump with a distance of 3.90m. Cougars ended the first day with 14 medals (9-2-4) with the next best clubs Memphis Pioneers on 14 (2-7-7), Zenith on seven 7 (3-3-2) and Silver Bullets 5 (3-2-0). The Kelvin Nancoo-led athletes shone in the relay, sweeping all five events (Mixed U10, U12, U14 4×100 and the Girls and Boys U 14 Sprint medley).

Janika Jordan (G U10 60m/80m), Tyrel Springer (B U10 60m/800m), Caliyah Wallace (G U14 100m/200m) and Jordan Pope (B U14 800m/1000m) were double champions for Cougars.

Tehealia Kennedy and Kevon Mc Kenna led Zenith to second place with double gold medal performances. Kennedy secured the Girls Under 14 shot put (9.72m) and javelin (22.35m) awards while Kennedy ran away with the top prizes in the Boys Under 12 80m (10.31) and 150m (19.13). Zenith ended the meet with 14 medals (7-5-2).

Neon Trackers’ Aaron Antoine (B U12 High jump/long jump), MAP’s Ayelle Joseph (-B U14-100m/200m), Pt Fortin New Jets’ Natasha Fox (G U12-400m/800m) and Memphis Pioneers’ Rae-Anne Serville (G U14 high jump/300mH) were all double winners.

Neon Trackers Athletic Club was third with nine medals (6-2-1). Memphis Pioneers athletes, though winning 26 medals, were fourth (4-11-11). Pt. Fortin New Jets 11 (4-3-4), Silver Bullets 11(3-7-1), Abilene Wildcats 5 (3- 2-0) and Maximising Athletic Potential 2 (2-0-0) rounded out the top eight clubs.

Selected results

Under-14 Boys
200m finals (2.2)
1 Ayele Joseph, MAP, 22.87
2 Avindale Smith, Abilene, 23.33
3 Ethan Forde, Cougars, 23.68

800m
1 Jordan Pope, Cougars, 2:19.18
2 Christiano Armstrong, Silver Bullets, 2:19.84
3 Keneel Christopher, Oasics, 2:20.82

300m hurdles
1 Justin Guy, Zenith, 47.34
2 Rinaldo Moore, Memphis Pioneers 49.55
3 Romario Peters, Memphis Pioneers 51.09
Long jump
1 Savion Joseph, Zenith, 5.14m
2 Justin Guy, Zenith, 4.94m
3 Shaquan Baptiste, 4.93m

Shot put (3Kg)
1 Nicholas Abraham, SSS, 14.44m
2 Adriyel Clarke, Eastonians, 10.83m
3 Josiah McLatchie, Morvant Jets, 10.82m

Girls 200m finals (1.0)
1 Caliyah Wallace, Cougars, 24.83
2 Rae Ann Serville, Memphis Pioneers, 27.72
3 Shaniqua Bascombe, Cougars, 25.88
800m
1 Patrice Richards, Neon Trackers, 2:37.10
2 Faith Dean, Silver Bullets 2:43.37
3 Claudine Antoine, Neon Trackers, 2:46.84

300m hurdles (.76m)
1 Rae Anne Serville, Memphis Pioneers, 45.60
2 Patrice Richards, Neon Trackers, 53.26
3 Aaliyah Hercules, Oasics, 54.13

Long jump
1 Patrice Richards,
Neon Trackers, 4.66m

2 Shanika Ashby,
Zenith, 4.61m

3 Peneiel John,
Cougars, 4.34m

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