media_artricles :: 2015

Tribute to conquering Cougars

With 300 metres left in the Under-14 Boys 800 medley relay at the NAAA Juvenile Games 2015, I took my eyes off a rampaging Ariel Kerr to soak in the crazy scene of the Cougars athletes and fans in the stand at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.

Parents and fans were jumping up and down, the flag woman, painted in green, black and white was waving and prancing like mad, while others were hugging each other in anticipation of something special.

The race was not over yet, but I knew history was in the making as Ethan Forde who one day earlier smashed the 400 metres record, had the baton for the final run to history, for what was one of the rarest achievements in the history of the Juvenile Games, breaking the record and winning all the relays at the championship.

When Forde streaked home, clear of his Point Fortin New Jets rival, the feat was completed! History made! Cougars Track and Field Club wrote their names in the annals of Track and Field History. It was pandemonium in the covered stands at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

Head coach Kelvin Nancoo summed it up like this, “what a feeling”. I looked back at the hard work which was put in by our young athletes and they thoroughly deserved every accolade that they received. Cougars amassed a total of 408 points, to be well clear of Memphis Athletic Club which mustered 317 points to be second.

Cougars reminded me of the words of the great gunslinger Fernando Sancho, who said, “When you come to shoot, shoot, don’t talk.” I am so very proud of our accomplishment.” We racked up eight more gold medals, four silver and three bronze medals. Not a bad haul for the second day. I was so happy, we went home re-loaded-and re-focussed and finished the job with gusto!!

Cougars won 18 gold, nine silver and seven bronze medals, the best we have ever done at a NAAA Juvenile Championship.

We had four athletes repeat! Janika Jordan, the champion Under-9 girl, Tyrell Springer, the champion Under-9 boys; Jordan Pope (The Middle Distance Champion); and Caliyah Wallace who deleted every record that Deleth Charles held last year.

Many did not realise that Cougars won all the relays and broke the record in three of them. Fantastic performance by the eight year-old club.

It gets only better because we broke 11 records in the two-day championship. Well done Cougars!! Let me point out some of the record breakers: Tyrell Springer broke both records: Jordan broke the 60 metres record; Jordan Pope broke both record 800 and 1000 metres. Wallace broke both the 100 and 200 metres record while Forde smashed the 400 boys record.

I am justifiably proud of our head coach Abeyola Akowe and assistant coach Rawle Phillip and all the parents in Cougars. Thank you for a wonderful year!

It was only one week after that Cougars again hit the headlines in the NAAA Combined events where the girls continue to excel and Karissa Kirton and Octavia Cambridge ran away with the title and the silver medal in the Under-12 girls category.

The boys were not to be outdone as Jovan Westfield won his division to give Cougars yet another success. However, the performances of Isaiah Gemon, Kyrell Thomas, Antwon Fredericks and Keston Chase were fabulous.

The older girls brought the house down with a performance fit for queens. Though Shaniqua and Peniel John finished second and third they were absolutely superb, epitomising exactly what Cougars Club stands for.

What we witnessed in the 800 metres was nothing short of amazing. It was incredible and beautiful. It brought tears to many many an eye. Truly, if you ever wanted to know about team work, friendship, caring, love and the true meaning of family! Then this was it!!

A family is not only defined by blood. Cougars athletes showed what a family truly is. This was a a magnificent gesture by Shaniqua, who could have blown by but choose to share the victory with her team-mate and compatriot Peneil John. Well done Shaniqua and Peniel this augurs well for our “Baby Club.”

Then we had the performance of King Jordan or the new Pope. Jordan Pope was imperious and there was no doubt about who is the champion as he has won the event for the past four years and will win many more and could brought home a medal for T&T in the CAC Games in July.

Then we had Melissa Boxhill who only lost by 32 points. When she is on, she is incredible as she showed when winning the shot putt and the ball throw and she can throw it all away in the hurdles event. But, Melissa has continued to improve significantly over the past year.

Akina Wilson continues to improve and showed she could be a threat to the big guns in time to come. Jabari Fevecque, on the other hand, exceeded all expectation. He jumped superbly and hurdles well to be third at the end. He could develop into a champion.

Top