National Senior Track & Field Championships: Holder grabs sprint double, Springer impresses

A lightning fast Noelex Holder managed to secure the sprint double, but teenage sensation Tianna Springer hindered any similar thought that Keliza Smith might have had when the Athletics Association of Guyana’s National Senior Track and Field meet continued on Sunday.
Holder lit up the recently-resurfaced track and the National Track and Field Centre, West Coast Demerara (WCD), clocking 21.07s for first place in the 200m event, securing the sprint double.
Guyana Defence Force’s Shamar Horatio finished second in 21.08s, while Akeem Stewart took third in 21.18s. Barely missing out on a podium position was up-and-coming speedster Ezekiel Newton, who finished in 21.58s.

In the women’s event, Springer put on a show to hold her nerve in a close race, crossing the line in 24.19s for first place. She was trailed closely by Smith in 24.24s and Annalisa Redmond, who finished third in 24.79s.
It was Springer at the top of the podium again in the 400m event. This time she clocked 55.31s for first place, while Smith was again second in 55.78s. Narissa McPherson completed the podium in 56.09s.
Simeon Adams took the men’s title in 49.19s, while Joshua Lam and teenaged Malachi Austin completed the podium, both in 49.56s.
The 800m event saw triumph for McPherson, who stopped the clock in 2:37.65 for first place. Jelicia Wright clocked 2:40.19 for second while Delicia Tinnis finished in 2:51.95 for the bronze spot.

Nicholas Daw needed only 2:00.41 to claim first place in the men’s 800m event, which saw Adams stopping the clock at 2:00.70 for second and Jevon Roberts claiming third place in 2:00.80.
Over in the field events, GDF’s Leslain Baird maintained his dominance with the javelin in hand, throwing some 69.94m for first place. Jemain Simmons gave a good challenge with a 59.65m throw for second place, while Kleon Spellen threw 55.80m for third.
The women’s event was won by Tanisha Cort, who threw 35.84m, while Shontell Browne registered a best throw of 30.73m for second. Sasha James completed the women’s javelin podium with a 28.44m throw.
In the sand pits, Redmond added a gold to her collection with a 5.46m best leap in the women’s long jump event. Tasnica Lovell was second with a jump of 5.00m while Tonya Rawlins had a best leap of 4.54m for third place.
In the men’s event, Anthony Williams claimed the top spot with a leap of 7.26m, while Eron Leitch finished second, jumping 7.05m. Nicholas Crandon rounded off the men’s long jump top three with a leap of 6.90m.