media_artricles :: 2015

NACAC BRONZE

Wilson opens T&T medal account

Quincy Wilson put Trinidad and Tobago on the medal table in the opening session of the 2015 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Senior Track and Field Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica, yesterday.

Wilson saved his best for last, producing a 56.82 metres throw in the sixth and final round to secure men's discus bronze. United States finished one-two in the event. Russ Winger was golden with a championship record throw of 60.68m, while silver went to Andrew Evans (59.32m).

The other T&T athlete in the field, Emmanuel Stewart was eighth at 50.39m.

T&T's Lalonde Gordon signalled his championship intentions with a 44.64 seconds scorcher in the third and final men's 400 metres qualifying heat. The 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist won the race and emerged as the fastest qualifier for the final.

The 44.64 clocking is a new NACAC Championship record and the third fastest time Gordon has ever run. Costa Rica's Nery Brenes won heat one in 44.80 to advance second fastest. T&T's Tacumar Sterling was sixth in heat two in 47.08 seconds, and did not progress to today's championship race.

Ayanna Alexander finished fifth in the women's triple jump, the T&T athlete disturbing the sand at 13.68m. Jamaica's Shanieka Thomas jumped 14.23m--a new NACAC Seniors record--to strike gold in the event. Dominican Republic's Ana Jose Tima picked up silver with a wind-assisted 14.21m jump. And a windy 14.02m effort earned American Lynnika Pitts the bronze medal.

Michelle-Lee Ahye was the fastest sprinter on show in the women's 100m qualifiers. The T&T track star won heat two in a wind-aided 10.98 seconds. Both Ahye and her teammate, Reyare Thomas will face the starter in today's final. Thomas finished second in heat one in 11.25.

Mikel Thomas topped the opening men's 110m hurdles heat in 13.43 seconds to book a lane in today's final as the fastest of the eight qualifiers. His T&T teammate, Ruebin Walters clocked 13.90 for sixth spot in heat two, and did not advance.

In the women's 100m hurdles, Deborah John finished second in heat two in a windy 13.38 seconds to qualify for the final.

Emmanuel Callender bowed out in the semifinal round of the men's 100m event. The two-time Olympic sprint relay silver medallist was fourth in the first semifinal in a wind-assisted 10.25 seconds. The top three progressed automatically.

In the opening round, a windy 10.26 run had earned Callender fourth spot in heat four and a "fastest loser" berth in the semis.

Romona Modeste and Jessica James were eliminated in the women's 400m event. Modeste was 15th overall in the qualifying round in 54.27 seconds, while James was 16th in 54.69.

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