The Athletics Association of Barbados January Classic, held over the weekend at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex, saw several standout performances, with athletes achieving CARIFTA-qualifying times across various age categories.
The Saturday event featured fierce competition in men’s, women’s, Under-17, Under-15, and Under-13 track and field events, as competitors battled for top honours.
In the men’s category, Aaron Morris of the Elite Distance Programme made an impressive mark in the 400m dash, clocking 48.20 seconds. Morris, who was among seven Barbadian athletes already booking their places for the 2025 CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago finished ahead of teammate Brandon Hinds, who crossed the line in 48.44 seconds.
Distance athlete Luke McIntyre also achieved CARIFTA qualifying standards in the 5 000m.
In the field events, Jayden Walcott qualified for the boys’ shot put, Aaron Massiah for the triple jump, Teon Haynes for the long jump, and Shania Mottley and Kiami Rae-Oford for the girls’ high jump.
Shomari Shepherd-Rollins dominated the men’s sprints, winning the 100m in 10.78 seconds and the 200m in 21.72 seconds.
In the 1 500m open races, Matthieu Clarke from the Elite Distance Programme led the men’s field with a time of 4:14.05, while Ashlyn Simmons, also from Elite Distance, took the women’s title in 5:02.24.
The Under-17 category saw standout performances from Kelia Betham of Talons Club, who won the girls’ 400m in 58.28 seconds, and Zachary Wall from Quantum Leap, who triumphed in the boys’ 400m with a time of 50.51 seconds.
Brendan Gill of Pacers Track Club excelled in the boys’ 3 000m, finishing in 10:05.93, while Alec Simmons from the Elite Distance Programme clinched the boys’ 1 500m with a time of 4:43.79.
In the Under-15 category, Darran Skeete of Elite Distance won the boys’ 400m in 56.70 seconds, followed by Brent Lashley of Quantum Leap, who finished in 56.88 seconds. Taylor-Rai Wiggins from Quantum Leap won the girls’ 200m in 26.70 seconds, while Pete Vassell of Talons impressed in the boys’ 100m, finishing in 12.63 seconds.
On the track, Kanu Robertson of Talons Club won the boys’ 200m with a time of 24.94 seconds. In the girls’ 100m dash, Wiggins claimed another gold, finishing in 13.05 seconds.
The youngest athletes also showcased their talents. Machai Greenidge of Lions Track Club won the boys’ 200m in 27.47 seconds, while Janae Belgrave of United Athletic Club claimed victory in the girls’ 400m, finishing in 65.62 seconds. In the boys’ 100m dash, Alex Jones-Ifill of Pacers Track Club took first place with a time of 14.13 seconds. Desiree Grant of X’Cel won the girls’ race in 13.80 seconds.
Field events added excitement to the meet, with remarkable performances across all age groups. Tariq Boyce of UWI Blackbirds topped the boys’ high jump Under-17 category with a height of 1.50 metres. Jaquan Williams of Coleridge and Parry School won the Under-17 Boys long jump with a leap of 5.79 metres.
Roshae Broome of Elite Distance demonstrated his versatility in the men’s high jump, clearing 1.90 metres, while Tylan Mayers of Talons leapt 1.80 metres. In the girls’ high jump, Shania Mottley cleared 1.64 metres to win, while Nailah Browne of Talons triumphed in the women’s open high jump category with a clearance of 1.50 metres.
(AS)
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