The Cayman Islands Athletic Association has named the 25 track-and-field athletes who will represent Cayman at the 2022 CARIFTA Games in Jamaica next month.
Four days prior to CIAA making the team announcement on 16 March, several athletes produced qualifying efforts for CARIFTA, the region’s biggest junior event, during the annual CUC Youth & CARIFTA Track and Field Championships at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
However, CIAA officials confirmed that a handful of athletes will not board the flight to Jamaica despite qualifying, due to their COVID-19 vaccination status.
Overall, more than 100 junior athletes, including primary level runners, competed at the trials, organised by CIAA and held 11-12 March.
Among the CARIFTA qualifiers was standout sprinter Aaliyannah Anderson, who competed in the 200 metres on her birthday on 12 March after running the 100m the day before.
High jumper Josh Gardener celebrated a personal best leap of 2 metres.
“For me to clear 2 metres, it means so much to me; way more than qualifying for CARIFTA,” Gardner told the Cayman Compass after his event.
He added that his plan is to make the podium next month at the CARIFTA Games.
“[As] long as I keep training and I get physically and mentally right, for sure I can bring home a medal for Cayman,” he said.
While thanking CUC for their contributions to the event over the years, CIAA president Delroy Murray said the meet has served as a gateway to many successful athletic careers.
“We want to see the development of the athletes coming up through the ranks and a number of our athletes have in fact developed from this CUC meet,” Murray told the Compass. “So, it is a good meet to have, and it showcases the talent of our youngsters to the public.”
During the team announcement on 16 March, Murray shared words of encouragement to the athletes, while highlighting Cayman’s 4x100m men’s relay team heading into the games.
“I think the under-20 boys in the sprints, if all things go well, can make the podium,” he said. “In the four-by-one team, any [quartet]that we put in there is a medal contender, once they come with their A-game.”
Murray also said that U20 athletes like 800m runner Jaden Francis, Gardener, and javelin thrower Rachelle Pascal are all “contenders” for a medal.
However, he noted that Cayman’s U17 athletes could also use the games as an opportunity to “fine tune” their skills and records against tougher competition.
The 49th edition of the CARIFTA Games will take place from 16-18 April at the national stadium in Kingston.
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