By Michelangelo Jacobus
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) got its 2018 calendar of activities off to a solid start on Sunday at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora with its first development meet.
With a fair turn out of athletes and a smattering of spectators, the track came to life with some solid performances from the usual suspects as Daniel Williams continued his rich vein of form.
Williams told Guyana Times Sport that he “is still shaking off some rust, my first meet of the year so I’m still a bit green, training has just resumed and I’m feeling comfortable.”
Shantay George finishes first in the Girls 150m ahead of Chantoba Bright (left) and Toyan Raymond (right)
The Lindener representing the Upper Demerara Cub clocked 35.57s in the Boys 17-19 300m finishing first as has become the norm. Loneil Marks from Hopetown Flames was second in 36.72s while Christianburg’s Jennis Benjamin came in third (36.99s).
In the 80m event Williams strode to the finish line in a time of 8.48s while Benjamin was second (8.60s) and Shimar Velloza came in third in 9.04s.
In the 150m Daniel won comfortably with a pacey time of 15.35s as Loneil Marks came in behind with 15.73s on the clock.
On the distaff side Kezia Moore was consistent in her events placing in the top three on each occasion. She was first across the finish line in the Girls 14-16 80m finishing with 10.30s while Annalisa Barclay came in second (10.53s) and Dominique Semple third (11.60s).
Daniel Williams showed early signs of a dominant 2018 as he crosses the finish line without another athlete in sight at the National Track and Field Facility on Sunday
In the 150m race, Shantay George prevailed to claim first place with the clock at 18.34s while Brianna Charles was second in 18.40s with Moore closing out the top three with a time of 19.38s.
In the Girls 17-19 300m NARSUR athlete Cassie Small pipped Chantoba Bright for first place clocking 41.71s while Bright finished in 41.79s. Tonya Rawlins took third place in a time of 44.60s.
Meanwhile in the Girls 14-16 300m Deshana Skeete blazed her way to first place in 41.87s while Shantay George was second in 42.62s and Keliza Smith third with 42.86s.
In the distance events Maria Urquhart to the Girls 17-19 600m while Shaquka claimed first place in the Girls 14-16 100m. Police athlete Kezra Murray was the winner of the Girls 17-19 1000m.
Daniel Melville looked sharp on his way to winning the Boys 17-19 600m clocking 1:24.69s while Devau Barrington claimed the Boys 20+ event.
Winston Missigher had some competition from Cleveland Thomas in the Boys 20+ 1200m race but copped first place in 3 minutes 13.94s, Thomas clocked 3 minutes 14.81s and Wayne De Freitas was third with 3 minutes 20.54s.
Sunday’s developmental meet was one of the first of many to come as the AAG looks to assess and identify athletes who could potentially represent the country at international events.
