The much anticipated Aliann Pompey Invitational lived up to and exceeded expectations as personal records (PR) were achieved and qualifying standards were met and records were broken in front of thousands of vocal fans at the National Track & Field Facility, Leonora West Coast Demerara.
Contrary to popular belief the crowd was at their loudest for their very own Devaun “Scooby” Barrington who
Brenessa Thompson crosses the line first in the Women’s 200m (Photo by: Marceano Narine)
won the Men’s 800m in 1:52.48. The running brave athlete recovering from a season plagued with injuries ran a very passionate race with the full support of the crowd to hold off the challenge of Paul Sterlen (1:53.30) of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T).
Guyana’s Olympic Games qualifier (100 and 200m) Brenessa Thompson was at her ruthless best, smashing the 30 year national record in the Fly Jamaica Women’s 100m in a time of 11.14. The previous national record was 11.26 ran by Jennifer Innis in 1984. The Olympic qualifying mark for the event is 11.32.
Sprinting in second was Reyare Thomas in 11.22 followed by Tawanna Meadows of the United States (US) in 11.37.
Thompson would return to complete the double by claiming the Digicel 4G 200m in a very fast time of 23.08. Guyanese, Kadecia Baird finished second in 23.38 while Tawanna Meadows had the third fastest time of 23.45.
Winston George, who is set to represent Guyana at the Rio Games in the 400m, had to settle for a very close second (45.84) in his favoured event which was won by (US) Bryce Spratlin in 45.84.
George would return to avenge and make amends by winning the Quality Plus 200m in 20.76 ahead of Bryce Spratlin (20.88) and the impressive Guyanese Davin Fraser (21.26).
Kadecia Baird won the women’s 400 m in a very fast time of 52.26, missing out on Olympic qualification by 0.6 of a second. Ashley Kelly of the BVI was second in 53.24 followed by Guyanese Olympic qualifier Aliyah Abrams in 53.53.
The Digicel 4G Men’s 100m was won by Phil DeRosier in 10.25 followed by Kyle Greaux (10.28) and Tre Houston of Bermuda also in 10.28. Guyanese Rupert Perry just out on a podium finish placing fourth in 10.29.
Cleveland Ford returned to form by winning the Men’s 5000m in 15m 53. 62 ahead of the inform Winston Missigher (15:57.93) in a exciting last 200m sprint finish.
In other results
Women 800m – First – Andrea Foster (2:22.94), Second – Kezra Murray (2:22.94) Third – Assata Eastman (2:38.46)
Women 1,500m – First – Claudrice McKoy (4:53.68), Second – Assata Eastman (5:12.81) Third – Ashanti Scott (5:18.96)
Women 400m hurdles – First – Janiel Bellille – TT (58.02), Second Jenea Mc Cammon – Guyana (58.59) Third Jaivairia Bacote – Bahamas (1:01.10)
Mens’s 400m hurdles First – Jojo Petit-Homme – Haiti (51.04), Second –Kelto Cumberbatch (52.41)
Men’s Triple Jump First Donald Scott – US (17.02m), Second – Damon McLean – Jamaica (16.42) Third – Alante Dowell – Suriname (15.66)
Women’s Triple Jump First – Natricia Hooper (12.69), Second – Natrena Hooper (12.70) Third – Chantoba Bright.
Sponsors of the event included Digicel 4G, Fly Jamaica, Quality Plus Fast Foods and Bakery, Ramada Princess Hotel, GUYSUCO, Banks DIH under their Rainforest water and Powerade sports drink brands and Star Party Rentals.
