Athletes will have more than two months to make the CARIFTA Games qualifying standard, but for Caymanian long jumper Delora Johnson, a place has already been secured on the Cayman delegation heading to Trinidad and Tobago.
Johnson, 15, who trains under Vision Academy 345, got her year started on the right foot during Saturday’s Cayman Athletics Invitational track meet, where she made a personal best leap of 5.51 metres.
That jump was better than the 5.46m required for the under-17 standard and secured her ticket for what will be her CARIFTA Games sequel this April.
Falcon Athletics track club’s Gabriella Linton, 14, also made the CARIFTA mark in the girls’ U17 shot put after an impressive throw of 13.15m.
For Johnson, the moment the commentators announced her results was emotional.
“I cried when I heard 5.51m,” Johnson told the Compass. “I have been working hard to make the team and hopefully bring home a medal for Cayman.”
Johnson is a John Gray student and recently recognised ‘Proud of Them’ awardee for her achievements in track and field. She will be looking to put her country on the podium this year, having come up short at last year’s CARIFTA Games in Grenada.
Olympians Crooks and Forbes give back to Cayman’s next generation
Last month, Johnson was one of seven athletes treated to a private dinner with Olympic track and field athlete Ronald Forbes and swimmer Jordan Crooks, where she took advice and tips given by the two Caymanian stars.
Another adviser for Johnson is Vision Academy 345 president Lacee Barnes-Riley, who told the Compass that she was proud but not surprised by her athlete’s performance on Saturday.
“We know what she’s capable of; Coach [Adrian] Riley knows what she’s capable of,” Barnes-Riley said. “It’s all about performing when the moment calls for it and she knows how to do that.
“We at Vision Academy continue to be happy to have someone like her a part of our squad.”
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