The Cayman Islands Athletic Association had a send off for the CARIFTA track and field team that will be representing the Cayman Islands at the 42nd CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas this weekend.
The 17 members will be competing in Nassau from Friday until Monday.
The athletes were introduced at the official gathering of CARIFTA athletes, parents and track officials at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, which was hosted by longtime sponsors of the Cayman Islands Athletic Association and track and field, Caribbean Utilities Company.
The following is a look at the athletes, events and age groups in which they will be competing.
Under 17 Girls
Lacee Barnes – Shot Put, Discus
Daneliz Thomas – Javelin
Under 17 Boys
Tahj Lewis – 800m, 4x400m
Jamal Walton – 200m, 400m, 4x400m
Duval Gregory – 4x400m
Jeavhon Jackson – 4x400m
Rashaun Connolly – 4x400m
Daviel Foster – Javelin
Javdon Nelson – 100m
Under 20 Girls
Ashleigh Nalty – High Jump
Tiffany Cole – 800m
Ameilia Gillespie – Pentathlon
Pearl Morgan – 100m
Under 20 Boys
Brandon Johnson – 200m
Troy Long – 200m
Jorel Bellafonte – 800m, 1500m
Alex Pascal – Javelin
Track president Dalton Watler emphasised the importance of Cayman’s youth participating in sporting activities, which he said builds character.
Vice president Bernie Bush presented the team to the media and commended the athletes for their dedication and hard work in achieving the qualifying times and distances necessary to make the trip.
Cayman’s medal favourites are Bellafonte, who recently beat the best of the Jamaicans at the celebrated Champs meet in the 1500m last week in a record time; Nalty, who is in good form; and Pascal, who last season was ranked No. 2 junior only to Trinidadian Kershorn Walcott, who went on to win in the Olympics.
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I wish you all the very best – play fair, don’t get inveigled into drugs and high living. Be true to Cayman!