media_artricles :: 2015

BLEDMAN, BAPTISTE IN MEDAL HUNT

McKnight sparkles with season's best in 400m hurdles

Bledman won the third and final men's 100 metres first round heat in a wind-aided 9.95 seconds to advance to today's semifinal round as the fastest qualifier. American Remontay McClain was second in 9.99, while third spot went to Bahamian Shavez Hart (10.13).

Keston Bledman Qualify PanAm 20157:52Sparkle Mc Knight into finals7:52Semoy Hackett qualifies PanAm 20156:54Kelly Ann Baptiste Qualify6:48

The other T&T sprinter in the men's century, Marcus Duncan finished seventh in heat two in a windy 10.52 seconds, and was eliminated. American BeeJay Lee won that heat in 9.99. Canadian Andre De Grasse, meanwhile, topped heat one in 10.06.

At 6.50 this evening, Bledman will run in the first semifinal heat. The final is scheduled for 8.50pm.

Baptiste emerged victorious in the opening women's 100m heat in a wind-assisted 11.07 seconds. Her T&T teammate, Semoy Hackett was third in heat two in a season's best 11.17. American Barbara Pierre won heat two in 10.92, while top spot in heat three went to Brazilian Claudia Ana Silva in a windy 10.96.

At 6.25pm today, Baptiste and Silva will clash in the opening semifinal. And at 6.32, Hackett and Pierre square off in the second semi. The championship race takes place at 8.30.

At 7.15pm, Sparkle McKnight faces the starter in the women's 400m hurdles final. In yesterday's qualifying round, the T&T athlete won heat one in a season's best 56.56 seconds. Her main rival for the title will be American Shamier Little, the winner of heat two in 56.08.

Another T&T hurdler, Josanne Lucas was eliminated after finishing seventh in heat two in one minute, 00.30 seconds.

T&T's Ayanna Alexander secured eighth spot in the women's triple jump with a 13.83 metres effort. Colombians Caterine Ibarguen and Yosiry Urrutia earned gold and bronze, respectively. Ibarguen disturbed the sand at a wind-assisted 15.09m, while Urrutia jumped a windy 14.38m. Brazilian silver medallist Keila Costa produced a windy 14.50m effort.

Alena Brooks got home in 2:07.84 to finish fifth in heat one in the women's 800m event. The clocking was not fast enough to earn the T&T halfmiler a “fastest loser” berth in the final.

Cleopatra Borel will bid for precious metal in today's women's shot put final, starting at 6.45pm. Deandra Daniel competes in the women's high jump final from 10.05am. Janeil Bellille will be on show in the opening round of the women's 400m. Machel Cedenio and Jarrin Solomon will run in the men's 400m qualifying round. And Emanuel Mayers bids for a men's 400m hurdles championship race berth.

T&T slumped to their third straight defeat in the men's football tournament, going under 4-2 to Mexico, yesterday. Ricardo John scored in the seventh minute and Shackeil Henry netted in the 39th to earn T&T a 2-0 halftime lead. But Mexico battled back in the second period of play. Jorge Espericueta struck in the 60th minute, and Daniel Alvarez notched the equaliser in the 68th.

The Mexicans then netted two late goals to snatch victory. Marco Bueno found the target in the 90th minute, and Martin Zuniga put the icing on the cake in time added on.

T&T ended their Pool “B” campaign with three defeats in three outings.

At press time, last night, T&T's hockey men were still locked in battle with Canada in a quarterfinal fixture.

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