media_artricles :: 2016

Tobago coming strong for title defence

Carifta gold medallists Tyriq Horsford of Signal Hill Secondary and Bishops High's Akanni Hislop lead a strong contingent from Tobago to the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships which starts today and continues tomorrow at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Action begins at 9 am on both days with some of T&T's best junior athletes.

Tobago emerged the top district last year and with the likes of Horsford, Hislop and fellow Carifta medallists Anya Akili and Asha James, both of Bishops, the zone may just capture its 26th straight national title.

Athletes from seven other districts including North East, Port-of-Spain, St George East, St Patrick, Victoria, Caroni and South East will try to upset the Tobagonians' run in the Championships, which are held under the auspices of the Ministry of Education.

The competition is organised by the T&T Secondary Schools Track and Field Association and will see some 600 athletes battling over the two-day event.

Horsford threw the spear 73.00 metres to smash his old record of 70.73 to take his second Carifta gold medal in Grenada over the Easter weekend (March 26-28). The Signal Hill Secondary student has been at the helm of Tobago's victory in recent years winning the Victor Ludorium in 2013.

Hislop also shined in the 200m when he struck gold in the Boys U-20 category. James earned bronze for in the girls' U-18 javelin and Akili secured bronze in the girls' open heptathlon.

Carifta silver medallist Tyrell Edwards in the boys U-18 200m will lead the North East zone which will be equipped with last year's joint Victrix Ludorium Ayanna Glasgow and the 2013 winner Akidah Briggs, all of Toco Secondary. Fellow Carifta medallist Che Lara (boys U-18 4x400m) of Arima North Secondary is listed to be part of the North East team.

Another Carifta silver medallist Ianna Roach of Bishops Anstey (girls' U-18 shot put) will hope to inspire Port of Spain and Environs as well as double bronze medallist Jeminise Parris (girls U-20 100m hurdles and 4x100m) of St Francois girls. Among the main athletes competing for Port-of-Spain are Carifta medallists bronze medallists Jenea Spinks (Holy Name Convent-Port-of-Spain), Akilah Lewis (Bishops Anstey), Renee Stoddard (Providence Girls) and Jaden St Louis (St Anthony's College) and Recardo Prescott (St James Secondary).

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