Seven make it over the line in CARIFTA qualification meet

Seven of Guyana’s most promising athletes will have the opportunity to test their skills on a larger stage when the CARIFTA Games are hosted from the 20-22 April in Grand Cayman.

Droves of local athletes from over ten clubs gathered at the Police Sports Club Ground on Sunday, not only to participate in their event of choice, but to take a shot at their CARIFTA dreams.
When the dust settled on the track late on Sunday afternoon, seven athletes were the ones rejoicing after hitting the mark in the second phase of CARIFTA trials.
Keliza Smith was the first to complete the feat in the Girls Under-17 400M event. The Running Brave athlete clocked 56.90s.
The Under-17 800M girls’ event saw two athletes — Adriel Austin and Shaquka Tyrell — qualifying. Hailing from Running Brave athletics club and Christianburg Wismar Secondary respectively, they clocked 2.17.01s and 2.18.01s to put two Guyanese in contention over the Easter weekend.
Tyrell later returned in the 1500M event to cop her second qualification of the day. The Lindener clocked a time of 4.55.73 to qualify, while Austin failed to do so with a time of 5.06. 45.
The lone field event qualification of the day came to Anisha Gibbons in the Girls Under-17 Javelin event. The teen threw a distance of 42.45 metres.
Lionel Marks of Hopetown Flames was also on fire on Sunday, qualifying for the sprint double. Marks clocked 10.55 in the Under-20 100 metres and 21.46 in the Under-20 200 metres to book his CARIFTA spot. He was joined by sprint sensation Daniel Williams in the 200 metre event. Williams, of Upper Demerara Schools, clocked 21.48 to book his spot.
The last successful athlete was Matthew Gordon of Hopetown Flames. The youngster clocked 9.13.31 in the Under-17 3000 metres to seal his qualification.