THE?JURY?was out at the National Athletic Championships over the weekend.
My verdict is in. There were encouraging rather than earth-shattering signs.
I believe there was more to write home about among the emerging athletes than among some of the seasoned performers.
Burkheart Ellis is definitely travelling on hope road, given his double performance in the men’s 200 and 400 metres.
He looked miles ahead of his opponents considering the ease with which he won the latter race in particular. It has been a while since a local athlete has been able to clock a 46-point at the National Stadium. His time was 46.61 seconds. I expect good things from him at the upcoming World Juniors once he maintains his current form.
After a year at Missouri State, Althea Maximillen has grown tremendously.
Coach Ron Boyce says she puts in the work and it showed in her emphatic victory in the women’s 400 metres, clocking 53.70 seconds.
The freshman can only get better and seems on course to be a world class athlete in this event.
I thought Sharon Larrier made a good comeback in this race after a lengthy layoff but let’s spare a thought for 13-year-old prodigy, Tiana Bowen, whose 7th place in the women’s 400 metres was very commendable. We could live with her time of 57.64 seconds.
Once she stays on track and continues to work hard, she will put the seniors under severe pressure in a couple of years.
I also thought that the Garrison’s Ariel Jackson showed that her transformation into a competitive athlete is on point with the turn around in her confidence level at all meets this season. Her top end speed is good and once she learns to put together a whole race, I expect better things from her.
Youthful sprinters like Levi Cadogan and Mario Burke remain on a path which suggests that they have bright futures ahead of them.
They will both develop their craft with the exposure at the appropiate meets that will push them to the next level.
Lion-hearted Sonia Gaskin, despite being marginally outside the qualifying time, should have the chance to represent us at World Juniors in the 800 metres.
More than 100%
If there is an athlete who gives more than 100 per cent each time it is this Parkinson School gem. She virtually ran against the clock on Sunday and should not be denied.
On the other side of the spikes, I think Andrew Hinds and Jade Bailey will need to reassess their agendas.
Hinds, a two-time Olympian, who trains with Asafa Powell in the famed MVP camp in Jamaica, didn’t bring a great deal of zest to the party.
He clocked 10.29 seconds in the semis but only managed 10.36 seconds in running second to Ramon Gittens (10.32 seconds) in the final. Realistically, he was nowhere close to the Olympic B qualifying time of 10.24 seconds and some distance from the A standard of 10.18 seconds.
I get the impression the lad with the precocious talent as a schoolboy has lost some of his magic. He should be running faster bearing in mind his ability and the company he keeps.
My honest assessment of Bailey is that her natural ability is still there for everyone to see but she is lacking the competition necessary to keep her on par with arch-rival Shakera Reece who accomplished the sprint double.
I know since last year she was complaining that inadequate funding was affecting her training and preventing her from competing at more international meets.
This year seemed to be the same story and this is where I think the introspection should come from her camp. She still has a lot to offer and is far better than what she produced at Nationals but if she can’t source the money to assist with her plans, her struggle at getting back to 22.19 seconds form in the 200, for instance, will continue to be uphill.
Those in control of the purse strings will have to determine whether they think she deserves that extra cash flow but I believe favourable discretion should apply.
Historic
History was created in the men’s 110-metre hurdles with three competitors qualifying for the London Olympics. Hats off to Ryan Brathwaite, Shane Brathwaite and Greggmar Swift.
The threesome know that they now have to work much harder to be competitive given the rivals they have to face in London.
Former world champion Ryan Brathwaite stands the best chance of going to finals but for little Barbados to have three qualifiers is amazing and that in itself is a big psychological victory.
The intent of the hurdlers was further seen when another three qualified for the World Juniors. Kion Joseph, Kemar Norgrove and Tremaine Maloney all made the mark.
It is great that hurdling has become a marquee event for Barbados at international level and I duly expect that in time to come someone like a Joseph can emulate the feat of Brathwaite.
Yes, the jury is still out on this one but I feel confident that I will be acquitted.
• Andi Thornhill is an experienced award-winning freelance sports journalist.
