Fourteen newcomers are included in the 41 athletes chosen to represent Barbados at the 2011 CARIFTA Games in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from April 23 to 25.
Exciting young sprinter Tristan Evelyn; Lisa-Anne Barrow who came to Barbados from the United States for last week’s trials and quarter-milers Tia-Adana Belle and Erica Charles will be joined by Chazelle Cumberbatch (javelin); Jalisa Burrowes (long jump) and thrower Winmalecia Bowen.
Making their debut among the Under-17 boys are Jahvere Worrell (hurdles); sprinters Joshua Walcott and Levi Cadogan; thrower Romario Antoine and jumper Shamar Rock.
Hurdler Kion Joseph and triple jumper Hakeem Belle are the lone newcomers in the Under-20 division.
All three of the gold medallists from last year’s team are back on what is the largest team in the last three years.
Good form
Akela Jones, defending champion in the Under-17 Girls’ high jump, as well as 800 metres champions Anthonio Mascoll and Jerrad Mason are all heading to the games in good form, although Jones seems stronger in the long jump than high jump.
Matthew Wright, who is in England, has also been named in the side and he will be making his final bid to get gold in the 5 000 metres after winning bronze and silver, respectively, the last two years.
As usual, there is a strong hurdles contingent which includes Tramaine Maloney who won silver in the 400-metre hurdles last year and bronze in the 100-metre hurdles. He has now stepped up to the Under-20 division and will be joined by Joseph over the longer event.
Former silver medallist Raphael Jordan and Tyrell Forde will carry the medal hopes in the 100 metres event, with Greggmar Swift having passed his eligibility.
Dario Scantlebury, Worrell, Shakera Hall, Barrow, Sade-Mariah Greenidge and Kenrisha Brathwaite complete the list of hurdlers.
However, Barbados’ traditionally strong outing in the javelin over the past years has seen the number of competitors dwindle to only Cumberbatch and Central American and Caribbean gold medallist, Nicoliai Bovelle in that event.
The Amateur Athletic Association (AAA) has also made provisions for a strong Under-20 Boys’ 4×400 metres relay side with Mascoll, Nicholas Deshong, Shaquille Alleyne, Nikolai Gall, Maloney and Charles Greaves as options.
Deshong, who pulled up in the 200 metres heats at trials will have to prove his fitness to join Deon Hope as the sprinters in the senior group.
The Under-17 boys and girls also have a good chance with their relay teams, but the Under-20 Girls’ division may only be able to muster a 4×100 side.
In the multi-events, three strong contenders in Kemar Jones, Daley Carter and Shavonte Bradshaw have been picked. Bradshaw, who was in line for CAC gold last year, will also have to prove her fitness after missing trials, while Jones, who was fourth last year in the heptathlon, will have a point to prove after improving by almost 400 points.
Training sessions begin in earnest this week at the National Stadium.
Barbados 2011 CARIFTA Team:
Under-17 Girls: Akela Jones, Akela Taylor, Chazelle Cumberbatch, Cindy Forde, Erica Charles, Jalisa Burrowes, Lisa-Anne Barrow, Shakera Hall, Tanice Watson, Tia-Adana Belle, Tristan Evelyn, Winmalecia Bowen.
Under-17 Boys: Dario Scantlebury, Jahvere Worrell, Jerrad Mason, John Haynes, Joshua Walcott, Levi Cadogan, Romario Antoine, Shamar Rock.
Under-20 Girls: Kenrisha Brathwaite, Leah Bannister, Sade-Mariah Greenidge, Shavonte Bradshaw, Sonia Gaskin.
Under-20 Boys: Nicholas Deshong, Deon Hope, Shaquille Alleyne, Anthonio Mascoll, Ibrahim Hinds, Tyrell Forde, Raphael Jordan, Tramaine Maloney, Charles Greaves, Hakeem Belle, Kemar Jones, Daley Carter, Matthew Wright, Nicoliai Bovelle, Kion Joseph, Nikolai Gall.
Management: Maureen Dottin (manager); Alwin Babb (head coach); Lennox Ellis (assistant manager); Nikkisha Maynard, Michael Worrell, Ramon Armstrong (coaches).
