Keshorn Walcott was in no playing mood yesterday, storming into the final of the men’s javelin event with a record-breaking toss of 85.28 metres at Hampden Park Stadium here in Glasgow, Scotland.

A silver and two bronze medals, a nice haul for T&T on the final day of track and field at the Commonwealth Games at the Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow in Scotland.

Tired bodies but even tougher minds departed from Glasgow, Scotland, over the past two days, as T&T athletes bid farewell to the Commonwealth Games which closed on Sunday with a gala ceremony.

T&T men’s sprint relay team, which won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics, may be upgraded again after the entire US relay team was stripped of its silver medal yesterday as a result of Tyson Gay’s doping case, two officials with knowledge of the decision as reported by the Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been announced.

The International Olympic Committee notified the US Olympic Committee by letter that the 4x100 relay team has been disqualified and all the medals withdrawn, the officials said. The letter asks the USOC to collect the medals and return them to the IOC.

Gay returned his own medal last year after accepting a one-year doping suspension and the loss of results going back to July 2012, but the status of the US second-place finish in London and the medals of Gay’s relay teammates had remained in limbo until now.

President of T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis yesterday said that he has received no official confirmation on the development.

“I haven’t seen a report from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but we are looking forward to the official confirmation. We have to wait on the IOC to do additional deliberation, to confirm whether or not the silver medal will be reallocated,” said Lewis.

Under international rules, an entire team can be disqualified and stripped of medals because of doping by one member.

Gay was a member of the American team that finished second in London behind a Jamaican team anchored by Usain Bolt. The Americans set a national record in the final with a time of 37.04 seconds.

The other US team members losing medals are Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps and Darvis Patton. Kimmons, Gatlin and Bailey ran in the final with Gay.

It will be a second upgrade for local quartet of Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson, who some three years ago moved from fourth to third after the Canadian team of Justyn Warner, Gavin Smellie, Oluseyi Smith and Jared Connaughton, running the third leg and on the final turn, had taken one step on the lane line, earning the team an automatic disqualification.

Lewis was adamant about the TTOC joining with the global anti-doping community, with a clear focus on protecting the clean athlete.

“TTOC has been rigourous in protecting the rights of the clean athlete and this development only highlights the need to do so.”

Gatlin, who is in Qatar for the opening Diamond League meet of the season tomorrow, told AP that he was not aware of the decision and had no comment. Gatlin, who won the 100-meter gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games, served a four-year doping ban from 2006.

Gay tested positive for steroids at the US championships in 2013. He received a reduced suspension—rather than a two-year ban— because he cooperated with the US Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation that led to an eight-year ban for his former coach, Jon Drummond.

Gay’s results were annulled going back to July 15, 2012, the date when he first used a product containing a banned substance.

If the London medals are reallocated, the silver will go to T&T, who finished third in 38.12 seconds. The bronze would go to the French team which placed fourth in 38.16 seconds.

“Our athletes were denied the opportunity or moreso the glory to stand on the podium and receive the silver medal. This latest development strengthens the unwavering effort of the TTOC in protecting the rights of the clean athlete,” said Lewis.

The rules of track and field’s world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, mandated that the entire US team be disqualified, but the final decision was up to the IOC.

Drummond was the coach of the US relay team in London and placed Gay on the team. According to the USADA decision in Drummond’s case, the athlete took a banned substance in July 2012 with the coach’s knowledge.

The IOC has previously stripped US relay teams of medals retroactively for doping, including three teams from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The US was stripped of gold in the women’s 4x400 and bronze in the 4x100 following Marion Jones’ admission of doping. Jones returned her medals, but her teammates appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to keep theirs and won their case in 2010. The court said IAAF rules at the time did not allow entire teams to be disqualified because of doping by one athlete.

The IOC also stripped the US men’s 4x400 relay of their Sydney gold after a doping admission by Antonio Pettigrew.

In 2012, American runner Crystal Cox was stripped of her gold medal from the 4x400 relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics after admitting to doping. The IOC did not disqualify the rest of the team because it was unclear which rules were in effect at the time. 

T&T men’s sprint relay team, which won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics, may be upgraded again after the entire US relay team was stripped of its silver medal yesterday as a result of Tyson Gay’s doping case, two officials with knowledge of the decision as reported by the Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been announced.

The International Olympic Committee notified the US Olympic Committee by letter that the 4x100 relay team has been disqualified and all the medals withdrawn, the officials said. The letter asks the USOC to collect the medals and return them to the IOC.

Gay returned his own medal last year after accepting a one-year doping suspension and the loss of results going back to July 2012, but the status of the US second-place finish in London and the medals of Gay’s relay teammates had remained in limbo until now.

President of T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis yesterday said that he has received no official confirmation on the development.

“I haven’t seen a report from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but we are looking forward to the official confirmation. We have to wait on the IOC to do additional deliberation, to confirm whether or not the silver medal will be reallocated,” said Lewis.

Under international rules, an entire team can be disqualified and stripped of medals because of doping by one member.

Gay was a member of the American team that finished second in London behind a Jamaican team anchored by Usain Bolt. The Americans set a national record in the final with a time of 37.04 seconds.

The other US team members losing medals are Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Ryan Bailey, Jeffery Demps and Darvis Patton. Kimmons, Gatlin and Bailey ran in the final with Gay.

It will be a second upgrade for local quartet of Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard Thompson, who some three years ago moved from fourth to third after the Canadian team of Justyn Warner, Gavin Smellie, Oluseyi Smith and Jared Connaughton, running the third leg and on the final turn, had taken one step on the lane line, earning the team an automatic disqualification.

Lewis was adamant about the TTOC joining with the global anti-doping community, with a clear focus on protecting the clean athlete.

“TTOC has been rigourous in protecting the rights of the clean athlete and this development only highlights the need to do so.”

Gatlin, who is in Qatar for the opening Diamond League meet of the season tomorrow, told AP that he was not aware of the decision and had no comment. Gatlin, who won the 100-meter gold medal at the 2004 Athens Games, served a four-year doping ban from 2006.

Gay tested positive for steroids at the US championships in 2013. He received a reduced suspension—rather than a two-year ban— because he cooperated with the US Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation that led to an eight-year ban for his former coach, Jon Drummond.

Gay’s results were annulled going back to July 15, 2012, the date when he first used a product containing a banned substance.

If the London medals are reallocated, the silver will go to T&T, who finished third in 38.12 seconds. The bronze would go to the French team which placed fourth in 38.16 seconds.

“Our athletes were denied the opportunity or moreso the glory to stand on the podium and receive the silver medal. This latest development strengthens the unwavering effort of the TTOC in protecting the rights of the clean athlete,” said Lewis.

The rules of track and field’s world governing body, the International Association of Athletics Federations, mandated that the entire US team be disqualified, but the final decision was up to the IOC.

Drummond was the coach of the US relay team in London and placed Gay on the team. According to the USADA decision in Drummond’s case, the athlete took a banned substance in July 2012 with the coach’s knowledge.

The IOC has previously stripped US relay teams of medals retroactively for doping, including three teams from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The US was stripped of gold in the women’s 4x400 and bronze in the 4x100 following Marion Jones’ admission of doping. Jones returned her medals, but her teammates appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to keep theirs and won their case in 2010. The court said IAAF rules at the time did not allow entire teams to be disqualified because of doping by one athlete.

The IOC also stripped the US men’s 4x400 relay of their Sydney gold after a doping admission by Antonio Pettigrew.

In 2012, American runner Crystal Cox was stripped of her gold medal from the 4x400 relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics after admitting to doping. The IOC did not disqualify the rest of the team because it was unclear which rules were in effect at the time. 

T&T quartermiler Lalonde Gordon braved severe cold weather to not only compete in the men’s 300 metres dash but win the event at the New Balance Games in New York which was postponed to Sunday.

A snow storm had threatened to cancel the event on Saturday but instead the organisers pushed the professional section of the meet back a day.

Gordon, who is signed with Nike, won comfortably in a time of 32.83 seconds in a race that also included fellow T&T runner Adrian Crichlow. He placed sixth in 35.52. Gordon holds the meet record of 32.64, which he established last year. Both Gordon and Crichlow have been very active since the start of the indoor season. 

Gordon has been the more successful of the duo, winning the 200m events at both the Staten Island’s Great Dane (January 16) and Villanova Open (Jan 8) invitationals. He clocked 20.77 in the former event but ran a slower time of 20.99 in the latter. Crichlow’s times of 22.35 and 22.20 earned him 17th and seventh in the respective events.

Tasting success this weekend also, was T&T jumper Deandra Daniel at the New York City (NYC) Gotham Cup. Daniel, a senior at Coppin State University, was second in the women’s high jump event, leaping 1.75 metres to finish behind New York Athletic Club’s Priscilla Frederick (1.80m).

Mark London, also of Coppin State, just missed out on reaching podium in the 1,000m race. The sophomore was fourth in a time of 2.29.62 at the NYC event.

His team-mate as well as countryman Haysean Cowie-Clarke, a junior a Coppin State, was 10th in the Men’s 60m in 6.92. Another T&T sprinter Andre Marcano of CPTC New Balance also competed in that event and his time of 6.83 earned him fifth place.

Cowie-Clarke also lined up in the 200m race and had the 18th fastest time of 22.64.

Rachael King

T&T’s Olympic medallist Lalonde Gordon sprinted to victory again this weekend, clocking 20.78 seconds to take the 200 metres at the John Thomas Terrier Invitational at Boston University in the USA on Saturday. 

Gordon is having the best start to his indoor season sealing wins in his first four races including 300m dash at the New Balance Games in New York on January 24 (32.83) and the 200m events at both the Staten Island’s Great Dane on January 16 (20.77) and Villanova Open on January 8 (20.99) invitationals in New York. He holds the meet record in the event, 20.58, which he achieved in 2012.

Sprinter Zakiya Denoon continued her dominance in the 200 metres winning in 23.64 on Friday at the same meet. The Munroe College freshman set a new school record surpassing the previous mark of 24.10 which she accomplished on January 16 at the Great Dane Invitational. 

At that meet, Denoon finished second overall in the 60m dash in 7.39 which took her spot atop the NJCAA National Descending Order List in both events and qualified her for the NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in the process.

Denoon was named the NJCAA National Player of the Week by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, that week. She later combined with Ariane Struckey, Denesha Ransome and Breaisha to place 11th in the 4x400 relay in 3:48.02.

T&T’s Mark London was tested on Saturday and was successful at the Penn State National Invitational at University Park in Pennsylvania. The distance runner clocked 1:50.57 seconds to place second overall and moved to first place amongst Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track and Field rankings.

London, a sophomore at Coppin State University, had a day before partnered with Ronaldo Ball, Michael James, and Alaric Coker to place fourth overall in the distance medley team in 10:03.41, recording the top time in the MEAC.

Field athlete Deandra Daniel also improved on her current MEAC ranking, when she finished fourth in the women’s high jump event.  Daniel, a senior at Coppin State, leaped a season-best mark of 1.79 metres. She is currently ranked second on the MEAC Indoor list in the high jump competition.

Freshmen Khemani Roberts also competed in the high jump event and placed 15th in 1.63m. Steve Waithe’s effort of 15.57m was good enough to earn him fifth spot in the triple jump event. The day before, Waithe was 11th in the long jump event, with a best attempt of 6.92m.

Back on the track, Haysean Cowie-Clarke reached as far as the semifinals in the Men’s 60m, crossing in 6.95. In the preliminary heats, he finished in 6.94.

Local athletes Mark London, Deandra Daniel and Khemani Roberts keep impressing on the University circuit with each winning silver in their respective events at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track & Field Championship held in Landover, Maryland, USA on the weekend.

London, in fact, copped two silver medals in the men’s 800 metres and the distance medley event, to help his Coppin State University team close the event sixth in the overall men’s rankings with 57 points. Bethune-Cookman topped with 122 points followed by North Carolina A&T (113), Maryland-Eastern Shore (103.50), Hampton (100), Norfolk State (66) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (49.50), respectively.

Haysean Cowie-Clarke just missed out on advancing to the final of the men’s 60m dash. He clocked 6.89 in the preliminary heats to have the ninth quickest time, not good enough as only the runners with the top eight times progressed. The sophomore clocked 1.53.02 seconds to follow his teammate Alaric Coker (1:52.98) to the line in the 800m. The duo was then joined by Ronaldo Ball and Michael James to place second in 10:20.41 in the medley event.

London also competed in the one mile run and placed 12th in 4:31.53. The Lady Eagles headed into the final day of the three-day Championships on Saturday ranked third overall with 40 points following the second day of events. Daniel, a senior at Coppin State, finished as the runner up in the high jump event, leaping 1.76m. 

Junior Khemani Roberts followed with a fourth place finish matching a season-best measure at 1.70m. 

Roberts gave her team a boost in placing second in the pentathlon with 3,403 points, falling short of first place by only four points. Roberts won the high jump event (1.68m), came second in the shot put (10.78), seventh in the long jump (4.84m), and eighth in both the 60m hurdles (9.39) and 800m run events (2:33.81).

At the end of the final day, the Lady Eagles dropped to fifth with 58 points after 17 scored events at the Championships. Hampton finished ranked first with 143.33 and Florida A&M is in second place with 114 points. Third and fourth were North Carolina A&T (81) and Bethune-Cookman (75).

Four players reached double-figures for Valencia Heat as it drew first blood in the opening match of the best-in-three semifinals series of the Men’s National Basketball Championships on Saturday night at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena. Heat, which placed fourth in the preliminary round, upset top finisher Police, 98-85.

Heat forward Randy Greenidge, a former Police player, led with 22 points with his teammates centre/forward Michael Saunders and guard Kyeon Joseph getting 18 each and guard Kevon Noriega adding 11 in the see-saw match, to close in on a spot in the final, which is carded to start on Sunday. Shak Attack is in a similiar position, grabbing a win in game one over Petro Jazz, 56-52, in a low-scoring match.

Police also had four players reaching double-digits, but they were on the losing end. Forward Fabrice Fisher, a former stand-out with Heat, nocthed a match-high 24 points, and post-player Dextroy Manswell, who heled Petro Jazz to the 2013-2014 Super 10 Basketball League title, hit 15, and former Caledonia Clippers talent Wesley Vincent netted 13 and centre Phillip Alexander, who had a stint with Detour Shak Attack  poured in 10.

From the jump, it was Heat leading at the end of the first quarter, 21-19. However, the policemen fought back and established a 39-37 advantage at the half, only to relinquish it at the end of the third session. Heat held a six-point (66-60) lead going into the final quarter.
The Valencia-based team went on to outscore the policemen, 32-25, and held on for the 13-point victory.

The second match of the double-header contrast tremendously as defence played a major role. 

Leading the attack for the winner was power forward Andrew Ifill, who topped with 19. He got the support of shooting guard Sheldon Christian with 10 as Shak Attack held the lead throughout but by very small margins—14-11 in the first, 27-26 at the halfway mark and 43-41 in the third.

Guard Ako Pascall and post-player Damien Caton was the best offensively for Petro Jazz, scoring 18 and 11, respectively but their effort fell just short as they went away with the four-point loss. 

Both Police and Petro Jazz were looking to rebound from their opening series defeats when they took to the court at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville, San Fernando last night in game two. If they manage to force a third match, the decider will be played at the same venue on Friday night from 7 pm.

Results
Saturday’s Game-1 semi-final 
Police 85 (Fabrice Fisher 24, Dextroy Manswell 15, Wesley Vincent 13, Phillip Alexander 10) vs Valencia Heat 98 (Michael Saunders 18, Randy Greenidge 22, Kyeon Joseph 18, Kevon Noriega 11). Quarter scores: 21-19 (Valencia), 39-37 (Police), 66-60 (Valencia).

Shak Attack 56 (Andrew Ifill 19, Sheldon Christian 10, Kern George 7) vs Petro Jazz 52 (Ako Pascall 18, Damien Caton 11, Kenneth Roberts 6, Kirk Baptiste 6). Quarter scores: 14-11 (Shak Attack), 27-26 (Shak Attack), 43-41 (Shak Attack).

It was by no means an easy task, but both Police and Detour Shak Attack, the 2015 reigning North Zone champion team and runner up respectively, booked their spots in the final of the Men’s National Championships, which is carded to start this evening at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena.

On Friday night at the Southern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Pleasantville, San Fernando, it came down to which team wanted it the most and in the end it was Police emerging with a 67–62 win over Valencia Heat, the East Zone (Eastern Community Basketball League champion, in the opening match of the double-header and Shak Attack defeating Petro Jazz, 72–65, to claim their respective best in three semifinals series, 2–1.

For the third straight affair, the policemen, who lost the first match of the best-in-three series 98–85, but bounced back in the second to win 83–65, was piloted by forward Fabrice Fisher, a former stand-out of Valencia Heat. The forward topscored with 16 points in a match with quite a few lead changes. The first quarter belonged to the grey and the blue, holding a five-point (20–15) advantage going in the second period.

Valencia, through duo post player Duane Virgil, a former American NCAA Division 1 player and the talented centre/forward Michael Saunders, stepped up play offensively and gained control to close the first half leading by seven (36-29). Virgil finished with a match-high 23 and Saunders was close behind with 21.

However, Police did not go away and managed to regain the lead, 48–46, thanks to the support of Tegan Pembleton, who ended with 13 points. Police had one other player to score in double-figures, Ronell “Fig” Winter with ten as his team dominated the final quarter. 

Wayne Richards, a former Maloney Pacers forward aided Virgil and Saunders on offence with 11 as Valencia tried to put up some resistance but it was not to be. The East-based team surrendered to a five-point loss.

In the second match, Shak Attack had four players reaching double-digits including forward Kurt “Cotto” Christian leading with 15, power-forward Andrew Ifill was big down in the post, hitting 14, while point-guard Orlando Mapp was quite efficient from beyond the three-point arc, connecting three in his total of 13. Forward Andy Best also assisted with 13 for the winner which put then ahead throughout the encounter.

The quarter scores read 21–19, 36–33 and 55–45 all in favour of Shak Attack, which like the other finalist won the its semifinals opener, 56–52, but fell in the second 73–71. Petro Jazz, the reigning Super 10 champions, was a worthy opponent and had some good showing from its players, getting 14 from forward Kevin Sargeant, nine of which came from three-pointers and centre Damien Caton, who produced ten.

Jazz can still walk away with some success but the South-based team will have to get by Valencia in the third place playoff at 5 pm at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena, then its on to the best-in-three final from 7 pm between Shak Attack and Police. 

Results & Matches

Game 3 Semifinal 
Police 67 (Fabrice Fisher 16, Tegan Pembleton 13, Ronell Winter 10) vs Valencia Heat 62 (Duane Virgil 23, Michael Saunders 21, Wayne Richards 11). Quarter scores: 20-15 (Police), 36-29 (Valencia), 48-46 (Police).

Shak Attack 72 (Kurt Christian 15, Andrew Ifill 14, Orlando Mapp 13, Andy Best 13) vs Petro Jazz 65 (Kevin Sargeant 14, Damien Caton 10). Quarter scores: 21-19, 36-33, 55-45 (Shak Attack).

Today’s matches
Third-place playoff
Valencia heat vs Petro Jazz, 5 pm

Championship Final 
Police vs Shak Attack, 7 pm

A huge 31 points from power-forward Andrew Ifill put Detour Shak Attack one win away for copping the Men’s National Basketball Championship title after a 76-64 victory over Police on Sunday night at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena. Shak Attack lead the best-in-three championships series, 1-0.

Ifill totally dominated down in post against Police six-feet towers of Dextroy Manswell, Phillip Alexander and Don Wilkinson. Combined with the help of Kurt “Cotto” Christian, the only other player to score in double-digits for the winner with 10, Shak Attack was aggressive from the jump.

The North-based team scored with ease, making good on the policemen’s extreme number of turnovers, to muster a 10-point (21-11) lead in the first quarter. However, the second stanza saw Police come alive offensively piloted by Manswell. He with the help of guard Adrian Joseph and forward Wesley Vincent led the grey and blue’s run, earning them a 36-33 advantage with the latter hitting a jumper at the halfway mark, to give his team the momentum going in at the end of the first half.

Play in the third remained relatively the same with both teams trading baskets. Shak Attack managed to reduce its deficit to two (53-51) heading in the fourth and final period.

As tormenting as he was on offence, Ifill was even more torturous on defense, antagonising Manswell so much so that he caused the Police scoring threat to be fouled out of the match with some four minutes to go in the match. 

This worked in his favour as Ifill tallied a great number of his points off offensive rebounds, initiating a run by the Shak Attack team that saw them push ahead by five (59-54) but Joseph was on target from beyond the three-point arc and cut the lead back to two. Shak Attack went up again to take its lead to 67-61 but again Joseph trim that to three (67-64). 

Play got wild in the final two minutes as both teams jostled to get the win. There were more fouls called than points scored. With seconds ticking away Andy best was infringed attempting a three-pointer and he closed out the win connecting all of his free throws.

Earlier, Valencia Heat did not leave empty-handed, topping Petro Jazz 86-75, to seal the third place thanks to 24 from Randy Greenidge while his teammates Kyeon Joseph and Wayne Richards added 15 and 10, respectively. Game two of the series final is on Thursday at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo from 7 pm.

Results
Police 64 (Dextroy Manswell 18, Adrian Joseph 11, Wesley Vincent 11, Phillip Alexander 9, Don Wilkinson 7) vs Detour Shak Attack 76 (Andrew Ifill 31, Kurt Christian 10, Kenyatta Alfred 9, Kern George 9, Andy Best 8). Quarter scores: 21-11 (Shak Attack), 36-33 (Police), 53-51 (Police).

Third place playoff
Valencia 86 (Randy Greenidge 24, Kyeon Joseph 15, Wayne Richards 10, Kevon Noreiga 9) vs Petro Jazz 75 (Ako Pascall 24, Kirk Baptiste 14, Asfa Grant 14, Damien Caton 9, Louie Davis 9). Quarter scores: 17-10 (Valencia), 37-31 (Valencia), 55-55.

Sprinter Khalifa St Fort had all gathered at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo holding their breaths for more than one reason yesterday in the final of the girls Under—20 100 metres event at the Carifta trials.

St Fort blazed the field to win the dash in 11.39 seconds and qualified for the Games set for Grenada over the Easter weekend (March 26—28) but her momentum seemed to have carried over the bar and into the pit surrounding the track.

A number of officials quickly ran to her aid along with her coach Olympic medalist Ato Boldon and one of her training partners Richard Thompson, but St Fort declared that she was okay and after a few minutes was out of the pit and back to her camp to the relief of everyone.

Following St Fort to the line was another US—based sprinter accompanying Boldon, Sarah T Wollaston in 12.04 and Cougars' Jada Barker in this in 12.08. The other two sprinters just fell short of making the Carifta standard time of 11.80.

The boys U—18 100m final saw the top three finishers Adell Coltrust of Abilene (10.64), Toco Titans' Tyrell Edwards (10.75) and Avindale Smith (10.81) making the qualifying time of 10.85. Coincidentally Edwards had already achieved the standard in topping both the preliminary and semifinal rounds with times of 10.82 and 10.80, respectively.

Concorde's Janea Spinks was the only runner in the girls U—18 race to make the standard (12.00), clocking 11.98 to finish ahead of Akidah Lewis also of Concorde (12.05) and Shania McArthur of Memphis Pioneers (12.33), respectively.

Other making the qualifying standards were Asha James of Zenith in the girls U—18 Javelin event, Renee Stoddard of Speed Factory in the girls U—20 400m.

Former CARIFTA medalists Shaiann Charles of DPAC and Chelsea James of Falcons will join them at the junior event after qualifying for the girls U—20 discus event. Charles won the throw with best effort of 41.70, while James tossed the apparatus 40.93 to surpass the standard of 40.00m.

Also among the boys reaching the required standards are former medallist Omari Benoit in the U—20 boys high jump, Long Jump (6.80). All three top finishers in the boys U—18, Josiah Edwards of Abilene (6.97), Aaron Cruickshank of DPAC (6.88) and Clement Campbell of Memphis (6.87) qualified.

Yesterday results

Girls
U—20
100m (Standard 11.80)
1 Khalifa St Fort (Unattached)—11.39
2 Sarah T Wollaston (Unattached)—12.04
3 Jada Barker (Cougars)—12.08

400m (55.30)
1 Renee Stoddard (Speed Factory)—55.30
2 Thyla—Marie Scott (Memphis Pioneers —56.86
3 Jerisa James (Memphis  Pioneers)—57.18

100m Hurdles (Std 14.60)
1 Jeminise Parris (Memphis Pioneers)—13.92

1,500m (4:05.00)
1 Qyone Antersijn (Trupial Curacao)—5:08.04
2 Anisa Samuel (Abilene)—6:32.14

Long jump (5.80)
1 Alisha St Louis (DPAC)—5.33
2 Rain Harper (UTT Fast Track)—4.93
3 Jamellia Potts (Kaizen Panthers)—4.92

Discus (40.00m)
1 Shaiann Charles (DPAC)—41.70
2 Chelsea James (Falcons)—40.93
3 Kieanne Blackman (Memphis Pioneers)—35.48

Javelin (39.00)
1 Akidah Briggs (Titans)—38.36
2 Ayana Galsgow (Tafac)—38.23
3 Alice Mark (Dovers)—21.18

U—18
100m (12.00)
1 Jenea Spinks (Concorde)—11.98
2 Akidah Lewis (Concorde)—12.05
3 Shania McArthur (Memphis)—12.33

100m Hurdles (14.70)
1 Anya Akili (Kaizen Panthers)—14.50
2 Cheziah Phillip (Toco Titans)—14.42
3 Safiya John (Kaizen Panthers)—14.91

400m (56.50)
1 Rae—Anne Serville (Memphis) — 56.79
2 Joanna Rogers (Cougars)—57.48
3 Patrice Richards (Neon Wolves)—58.14

1,500m (4:55.00)
1 Kershel McIntyre (Cougars)—5:09.19
2 Woude Van Der (Trupial Curaçao)—5:53.29
3 Delisha Paul (DPAC)—5:57.32

Javelin Throw (40.00)
1 Asha James (Zenith)—43.59
2 Talena Murray (Zenith)—38.81
3 Kymoi Noray (Zenith)—35.15

Police guard Wesley Vincent did just enough to get his team its first national basketball title after topping Detour Shak Attack, 85-82 in overtime in the third match of the final on Sunday night, to claim the best-in-three series, 2-1. The action unfolded at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo.

Vincent picked up the most outstanding award for his contribution throughout the tournament which started in December. He ended with 16 points in the decider, hitting some key baskets which aided Police in a hard-fought three-point victory. 

“It is a pleasure to win the title because everybody said we couldn’t do it. The odds were against us because a lot of people was backing Shak Attack to win again, but we pulled it out. Thank God for that and thanks to our supporters,” said Vincent.

Entering the deciding match of the series which was tied 1-1 after Shak Attack had won game one 76-64 at the Maloney Indoor Sports Arena last Sunday. The police officers returned with vengeance and convincingly secured the second match, 97-75 at the Complex on Thursday.

Shak Attack, as it had done throughout the series, jumped out to an early lead, grabbing a 25-13 advantage in the first quarter through the effort of both power-forward Andrew Ifill and guard/forward Kurt “Cotto” Christian again. The duo had been leading the two-time national champion offensively for the season and they did not disappoint.

Christian, who is known for his ball-handling skills weaved his way through the Police defence and finished with 13, while ifill dominated down in the post. He topscored with 27. 

Police fought back also thanks to post players Dextroy Manswell and Phillip Alexander and shooting specialist Adrian Joseph, who ended with 25 points, 12 of which came from beyond the three-point arc, and closed on its deficit bringing it down to four (30-26) in the second session but Shak Attack coached by Gordon “Dred” Felix remained aggressive and was able to hold off the policemen, 45-39 at the half.

In the third period, the grey and blue continued to play “catch up” and a number of missed free throws did not help the situation. Police was fading fast and had fallen to a ten-point (55-45) deficit midway through the quarter. 

Coach Oswin Davis called a timeout and when his team returned to the court, it stepped up its play and started to match Shak Attack offensively. Within the next minute, Police managed to cut Shak Attack’s lead again to four (58-54) from off a three-pointer from forward Fabrice Fisher. That was shortlived as veteran forward Virgil Fraser answered back with his own three-pointer, to keep Shak Attack ahead 61-54. Police got some satisfaction to close the third session as Joseph scored one of his two free throws after being fouled in the last play of the period.

The fourth quarter turned out to be the most eventful for Police as it went on a run. Vincent drove in to score two baskets and Phillip slammed in a dunk, to the delight of its fan, to tie the score at 61-61. Soon after Fisher stripped Christian and went down the court to score a layup and gave Police its first lead of the match, 63-61.

The teams continue to trade baskets but in the closing minutes of the affair, it was threatening to seal the victory. With 52.6 seconds on the clock, Wesley saw an opening and drove to basket. He went on to score the basket and was fouled in the process by Orlando Mapp and earned a free throw, which he connected to give a Police a 73-70 lead.

Ifill got in on the action and brought his team within one (73-72) with another offensive rebound, easily dropping in the ball for two points. The intensity continued to rise and the pressure got to Sheldon “Cat” Christian as he was called for an unsportsmanlike foul sending Fisher to the line. He hit one of two free throws and Police looked set to claim the victory but Ifill spoiled the early celebration, tipping in another offensive rebound to tie the score 74-74 as regulation time expired.

Vincent was given a chance to win it on the free throw line after being fouled again but he missed both attempts forcing the overtime.

Again the teams exchanged leads as the battle continued. To the dismay of the Police unit, Manswell for the second match of the series final made his exit early as he picked up his fifth foul trying to win a rebound with 2:23 to go. At that point, the scores were tied at 78-78.

With 8.3 seconds to go and Police up 84-82, Joseph was fouled and he stepped to the free throw line and hit one of two. Shak Attack, needing a three-pointer to tie the score again, Felix ran a play to get the ball into the hands of Terrence Mayers and he fumbled the ball which rolled to Kurt Christian but his three-point attempt missed the target giving the policemen the victory.

“All credit to the players,” said Davis, who copped the award for outstanding coach. “They worked hard it was difficult at times coaching a police team because of the constraints of the job. They made a lot of sacrifices. They worked extremely hard and were very disciplined. They wanted to win.”

Game-3 Final Results:
Police 85 (Adrian Joseph 25, Wesley Vincent 16, Phillip Alexander 14, Ronell Winter 8, Dextroy Manswell 8) vs Detour Shak Attack 82 (Andrew Ifill 27, Kurt Christian 13, Virgil Fraser 9, Orlando Mapp 9). Quarter scores: 25-13, 45-39, 61-55 (Shak Attack), 74-74.

Awards
Most outstanding player: Wesley Vincent (Police)
Outstanding coach: Oswin Davis (Police)
Other outstanding players: Andrew Ifill (Shak Attack), Adrian Joseph (Police), Kurt Christian (Shak Attack)
Special award: Nathaniel Charles (referee)

It came down to Prisons and Fire Services in the final of the Alternative Division knockout competition in the Courts All Sectors Netball League and it was the prison officers who emerged with a narrow 19-17 win at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sports Arena in Tacarigua on Saturday.

Goal-attack Rhonita Williams led the scoring in the finale with 14 goals from 20 attempts, while Anita Pitt-Russell (4/5) and Rhonique Williams (1/7) combined for the other five goals in the 15-minute a half competition. Fire used four shooters, but only Cameisha Leslie (13/19) and Kynda Richards (4/6) made any worthy contributions. They still folded for the two-goal loss. 

Prisons advanced to the title match, defeating TSTT 18-15 and the University of Southern Caribbean (USC), who forfeited the match. Fire had beaten the University of the West Indies (UWI), 38-17 and Police 28-21, respectively, to progress.

In the knockout competition in the Championship Division called the Jean Pierre Challenge, the University of T&T (UTT) was to meet the winner of the match-up between Fire and UWI. Both matches were scheduled to be played last night.

Goal-shooter Chrisann Petrovanie with help from Akeela Rodriguez and Shannon Duncan, who shared the goal-attack bib, led UTT to a 26-25 victory over Police in the 20-minute a half contest. Petrovanie topped with 15 off 22, Rodriguez added seven in 11 and Duncan four of nine.

Action continues to day with a match in each division mentioned above, from 5.30 pm.

Knockout results

Alternative Division
Fire 17 (Cameisha Leslie 13/19, Kynda Richards 4/6, Kylar Rocke 0/1, Julianna Julian 0/0) vs Prisons 19 (Rhonique Williams 1/7, Rhonita Williams 14/20, Anita Pitt-Russell 4/5). Half time: 8-7 (Fire).

UWI 17 (Zakiya McKenna 13/25, Okeisha Mayers 4/6) vs Fire 38 (Cameisha Leslie 34/38, Kynda Richards 4/5). Half time: 16-10 (Fire).

Police 21 (Afiya Vincent 18/26, Cheryse Aguillera 2/2, Gabriella Bridgewater 1/2) vs Fire 28 (Cameisha Leslie 22/28, Kylar Rocke 3/4, Andrea Phillip 0/3, Kynda Richards 3/5). Half time: 13-11 (Police).

TSTT 15 (Sophia Harper 4/7, Chantael Perry 11/17) vs Prisons 18 (Rhonique Williams 14/27, Anita Pitt-Russell 4/9). Half time: 11-9 (Prisons).

Jean Pierre Challenge 
(Championship Division)
Fire 36 (Aquila Blugh 29/44, Nariba Grant 7/12) vs Bermudez 8 (Kernicia Paul 4/11, Kurtisha Hoyce 2/10, Fallon Jeffery 2/6). Half time: 21-5 (Fire).

UWI 28 (Tianna Dillon 12/22, Kernesha Greenidge 16/20) vs Jabloteh 25 (LaToya Thomas 21/29, Samantha James 4/7). Half time: 11-11.

UTT 26 (Chrisann Petrovanie 15/22, Akeela Rodriguez 7/11, Shannon Duncan 4/9) vs Police 25 (Giselle Norton-Richards 11/23, Tahirah Hollingsworth 14/20). Half time: 14-14.

Today’s matches
Alternative Division
Police vs Prisons, 5.30 pm

Championship Division: 
UTT vs Bermudez, 6.45 pm

Akil Campbell impressed at the TECU Credit Union Marabella Criterium of the Southern Games on Friday night, winning one of two featured cycling events, the International Men’s four-lap race. The former double Junior Caribbean Champion finished ahead of Jose Luis Rivera of Argentina, Chiles’ Antonio Torres and Jamaican Marloe Rodman.

Campbell failed to improve on his third place finish last year, placing seventh in the International and Invitational 20-lap event. Winning was Rivera, followed by Torres in second and T&T’s Tyler Cole, who was making his Elite national team debut, in third. Reigning national road race winner Gevan Samuel, the other cyclist from T&T, placed ninth.

Double junior Caribbean champion Teniel Campbell of Team Drive Phase Sport (DPS) also shone on the night, placing second in the Elite Women’s three-lap event. Hilliry Saayedra of Colombia was first with Madeline Moore finishing third and Vanessa Botero, another Colombian, was fourth.

Today on the track, coming off of winning both the Sprint and Keirin races at the TTCF Track Series, Quincy Alexander will be in action on the grass track at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre. Joining him will be multiple national champion Varun Maharajhalong with Campbell and Gavyn Nero.

The T&T team will be challenged by cyclists from Colombia, Great Britain, Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados. 

Track and field action will also highlight the day’s activities which will also include the honouring of Robert “Junior” Farrell and Yvonne Mitchell for their contribution to the Games, which is in its 52nd year of existence.

Friday’s results

Men
International - 4 Laps
1 Akil Campbell (T&T)
2 Jose Luis Rivera (Argentina)
3 Antonio Torres (Chile)
4 Marloe Rodman (Jamaica)

International & Invitational - 20 Laps
1 Jose Luis Rivera (Argentina)
2 Antonio Torres (Chile)
3 Tyler Cole (T&T)
4 Marloe Rodman (Jamaica)
5 Adam Alexander (Team Foundation)
6 Camilo Mendoza (Colombia)
7 Akil Campbell (T&T)
8 Joshua Alexander (Team Foundation)
9 Gevan Samuel (T&T)
10 Jabari Whiteman (Southclaine) 
11 Jamol Eastmond (Heatwave)
12 Jyme Bridges (Team DPS)
13 Russell Elcock (Team DPS)
14 Phillip Clarke (Barbados)

Masters 40-49 500m
1 Rocky Hosein (Hummingbirds)
2 Wendell Charles (Slipstream)
3 Marlon Joseph (Hummingbirds)
4 Marlon Choo Ying (PSL)

Masters 50-59 - 3 Laps
1 Rodney Woods (Team Woods)
2 Robin Samuel (The Braves)
3 Gregory D’Andrade (PSL)
4 Ronald Crooks (Team Foundation)

Masters 60-69
1 Cyril Fook (PSL)
2 Peter Hernandes (Hummingbirds)
3 Harideva La Fond (Team SR)

Elite 1+2 - 3 Laps
1 Jyme Bridges (Team DPS)
2 Adam Alexander (Team Foundation)
3 Jamol Eastmond (Heatwave)
4 Phillip Clarke (Unattached)

Junior - 3 Laps
1 Nichola Paul (Breakaway CC)
2 Romello Crawford (PSL)
3 Ramon Belmontes (Team DPS)
4 Tremaine Forde-Catwell (The Braves)

Elite 3+4 - 3 Laps
1 Jabari Whiteman (Southclaine)
2 Enrique de Comarmond (Heatwave)
3 Darius Beckles (Open Road Challenge Accepted)
4 Thair Alexander (Team Woods)

Elite 3+4 - 3 Laps
1 Kamau Reece (Petrotrin)
2 Kenverne Brathwaite (PSL)
3 Bronson Chapman (PSL)
4 Darrel Ramesar (Slipstream)

Women
Elite - 3 Laps
1 Hilliry Saayedra (Colombia)
2 Teniel Campbell (Team DPS)
3 Madeline Moore (Great Britain)
4 Vanessa Botero (Colombia)

Junior - 3 Laps
1 Jhordan St George (Breakaway CC)

Shot putter Cleopatra Borel will make history if she is named the 2015 First Citizens Sports Foundation Sportswoman of the Year tonight at the awards ceremony at the Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain. The function, which will be held under the patronage of President Dr Anthony Carmona, starts at 8 pm.

Last year, Borel matched Badminton player Debra O’Connor (1985, 1986, 1990, 1993) and swimmer Siobhan Cropper (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999), in winning the top award four times - 2002, 2007, 2010 and 2014.

The Moruga-born athlete is among four former winners looking to repeat including Sportman of the Year nominees George Bovell III, Keshorn Walcott and Roger Daniel in a field of 54 athletes (29 men and 25 women) nominated by their respective sporting association at the ceremony, which has time and again proven itself to be the most glamorous event on the T&T sporting calendar. 

The FC Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards are bestowed onto outstanding men’s and women’s athletes who have contributed to the development and recognition of sport, not only in T&T, but at an international level.

Two of the quartet have won it more than once including shooter Daniel and 2004 Olympic bronze medallist swimmer Bovell, have each won twice. Daniel was the awardee in 2010 and 2011 and Bovell in 2004 and 2014. Walcott, the London 2012 Olympic javelin gold medal winner, captured the men’s top award in 2012.

In addition to the top nation’s top individual sporting award, the Jeffrey Stollmeyer Award for the best sporting administration and Lystra D Lewis Award for the Team of the Year will also be presented on the night while the WOW moments which was first introduced in 2009 will again be among the highlights. These moments have been chosen by the media as the top performances of the year.

SPORTSMAN & SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS NOMINEES
Sport        Athlete
Amateur Boxing    Nigel Carlan Thomas Paul
Automobile Sports    Marc Gill/Maria Tara Paratapsingh
Badminton    Alistair Espinoza/Avril Plaza-Marcelle
Body Building    Kelton Thomas/Vanessa Hill
Boxing    Nigel Carlan Thomas Paul
Canoe/Kayak     Satyam Maharaj/Keian Huggins
Chess    Kevin Cupid/Aditi Soondarsingh
Cricket    Darren Bravo/Britney Cooper
Cycling    Njisane Nicholas Phillips/Jodi Goodridge
Football    Kenwyne Jones/Arin King
Golf    Talin Rajendranath/Monifa Sealy
Gymnastics    Marisa Dick
Hockey    Andrey Rocke/Alana Lewis
Horse Racing    Prayven Badrie
Judo    Christopher George
Karate    Edward Ryan Rajmoolie/Dr. Nicole Lambie
Netball    Rhonda John-Davis 
Paralympics    Akeem Stewart
Powerlifting    Adrian Barry Brown/Salisha Rahim
Rally    Donald Gopaul
Rugby    Agboola Silverthorn/Ornella George
Sailing    Andrew Lewis/Kelly Ann Arrindell
Shooting    Roger Daniel/Marsha Bullen-Jones
Squash    Kale Alexander Wilson/Charlotte Knaggs
Swimming    George Bovel III/Cherelle Thompspn
Table Tennis    Aaron Junior Wilson/Linda Paratap-Booddhan
 Taekwondo    Edson Breedy
 Target Archery    Parasan Ramsmair/Neela Cezair
 Tennis    Vaughn Wilson/Breana Stampfli
 Track & Field    Keshorn Walcott & Machel Cedenio/Cleopatra Borel
 Triathlon    Jason Castelloe/Jenna Ross
 Volleyball    Fabien Whitfield/Sinead Jack

T&T’s Quincy Alexander starred on Sunday at the Southern Games in Guaracara Park in Pointe—a—Pierre, winning two feature track cycling events, the International Men’s match sprint and 500 metres. In the match sprint, Alexander finished ahead of Mexican Roberto Serrano, Andrew Leverton of Great Britain and Colombia’s Diego Romero, respectively.

Alexander also beat out Serrano and Leverton into second and third respectively in the International 500m. T&T’s Varun Maharajh also competed in that race and placed sixth. Maharajh though had success in the International 200m, beating Antonio Torres of Chile into second and Jamaican Marloe Rodman into third.

Both Maharajh and rider Akil Campbell, who on Friday night won the International Men four—lap event in the Criterium, lined up in the International Elimination event, and the latter took first place with Maharajh close behind in second. The duo was again among the top three in the International and Invitational 10,000m race with Maharajh crossing second and Campbell in third behind winner Jose Rivera (Argentina).

In track and field action, Kamaria Durant of Simplex did the double, following up her win in the 100m with victory in the 200m. She clocked 25.05 seconds in beating UTT Fast Track’s Shirnelle Ettienne (25.32) into second and Karista Thomas of Speed Factory (26.69) in third. In the men’s equivalent, Kyle Greaux of Abilene won in 22.18. He was better than Anika Prince of Defence Force (49.75) and UTT’s Arinze Chance (50.05).

Over on the field, Shaquille Waithe of Rebirth and Tobago Falcons’ Chelsea James topped the field in their respective events. Waithe won the men’s javelin event with a toss of 65.16 while James stole the show in the women’s shot put with a best effort of 14.11.

Selected Results

Cycling
International — Match Sprint
1 Quincy Alexander (T&T)
2 Roberto Serrano (Mexico)
3 Andrew Leverton (Great Britain)
4 Diego Romero (Colombia)

International— 500m
1 Quincy Alexander (T&T)
2 Roberto Serrano (Mexico)
3 Andrew Leverton (Great Britain)
4 Diego Romero (Colombia)
5 Jack Linquist (USA)
6 Varun Maharajh (T&T)

International— Elimination
1 Akil Campbell (T&T)
2 Varun Maharajh (T&T)
3 Antonio Torres (Chile)
4 Alvaro Grandon (Chile)

International — 200m
1 Varun Maharajh (T&T)
2 Antonio Torres (Chile)
3 Marloe Rodman (Jamaica)
4 Jose Rivera (Argentina)

International & Invitational — 10,000m
1 Jose Rivera (Argentina)
2 Varun Maharajh (T&T)
3 Akil Campbell (T&T)
4 Antonio Torres (Chile)

Elite 1&2 100m
1 Jamol Eastmond (Heatwave)
2 Justin Roberts (Team DPS)
3 Thireef Smart (Petrotrin)
4 Sei Daniel (AWCC)

Elite 3&4 — 200m
1 Kenverne Braithwaite (PSL)
2 Kamau Reece (Petrotrin)
3 Jon Marlon Greenidge (Southampton)
4 Cowen Thomas (Sonics)
Junior — 1000m
1 Nicholas Paul (Breakaway CC)
2 Tyler Cole (Team DPS)
3 Romello Crawford (PSL)

Junior — Elimination
1 Nicholas Paul (Breakaway CC)
2 Tyler Cole (Team DPS)
3 Lorenzo Orosco (Breakaway)
4 Tremaine Forde — Catwell (The Braves)

Juvenile — 1000m
1 Zion Pulido (Sonics)
2 Darius Beckles (Open Road Challenge Accepted)
3 Aaron Alleyne (Sonics)
4 Tirik Primus (AWCC)

Juvenile — Elimination
1 Darius Beckles (Open Road Challenge Accepted)
2 Aaron Alleyne (Sonics)
3 Dean Woodsley (Petrotrin)

Women
Senior — 200m
1 Madeline Moore (Great Britain)
2 Teneil Campbell (Team DPS)
3 Cheyenne Awai (Breakaway)
4 Vanessa Cadavid (Colombia)

Elite
1 Madeline Moore (Great Britain)
2 Teneil Campbell (Team DPS)
3 Aziza Browne (AWCC)
4 Niki Kovacs (Great Britain)

Junior — 1000m
1 Jhordan St George (Breakaway CC)
2 Sylese Christian (Sonics)
3 Dominique Lovell (AWCC)
4 Adrianna Seyjagat (AWCC)

Junior — 1000m
1 Jhordan St George (Breakaway CC)
2 Sylese Christian (Sonics)
3 Chenelle Walcott (Unattached)
4 Adrianna Seyjagat (AWCC)

Track and field — Men
Javelin
1 Shaquille Waithe (Rebirth) — 65.16
2 Andre Andrew (Warriors) — 58.20
3 Precious George (UTT) — 54.20

Long jump
1 Dwaine Herbert (UTT) — 6.75
2 Dwight Herbert (Warriors) — 6.73
3 Ian West (PFNJ) — 6.38

200m
1 Kyle Greaux (Abilene) — 22.18
2 Arinze Chance (UTT) — 22.42
3 Che Hart (Concorde) — 22.67

800m
1 Clifton Slyvester (Defence Force) — 1:51.70
2 Kerime Morris (Defence Force) — 1:58.37
3 Antoneil Prince (Speed Factory) — 2:00.62

Women
Shot put
1 Chelsea James (Falcons) — 14.11
2 Cherisse Murray (Toco TAFAC) — 13.80
3 Marielle Pierre (UWI) — 12.80

200m
1 Kamaria Durant (Simplex) — 25.05
2 Shirnelle Ettienne (UTT) — 25.32
3 Karista Thomas (Speed Factory) — 26.69)

800m
1 April Francis (Abilene) — 2:27.25
2 Shania Francis (FAS) — 2:32.19
3 Alena Clarke (UTT) — 2:35.77

T&T sprinter Michelle-Lee Ahye set a new national record of 7.09 seconds to make it into the semi-finals of the women’s 60 metres at the IAAF World Indoor Championships at the Oregon Convention Centre in Portland, USA, yesterday.

Ahye won heat four with ease, finishing ahead of Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith (7.12) and Gloria Hooper of Italy, who ran a personal best of 7.29 to take the final automatic qualification spot.

“I’m very happy about it. I was expecting it to happen, but not in the first round,” Ahye was quoted saying on the IAAF website.

Kelly Ann Baptiste ran her season’s best 7.20 to finish third in the first heat of the dash which was good enough to take her into the semi-finals and hopefully into the final. Both races were scheduled for last night.

Quartermilers Deon Lendore and Lalonde Gordon both advance to the final of the men’s 400m event. Lendore crossed second in the first semi-final in a time of 46.23. He followed Grenadian Bralon Taplin (45.38) to the line with Kenya’s Boniface Mweresa running a season’s best of 46.33 to take the third and the final qualification spot.

Gordon held on for third in the second semi-final in a time of 46:03 to nab his place in the final.  He was also quoted as saying afterwards: “There’s still work to do.” With both Gordon and Lendore making the finals of the men's 400m dash, which was set for late last night, the quartet of Rondell Sorrillo, Jarrin Solomon, Ade Alleynne Forte and Machel Cedenio, in that order did well to advance to the final of the men's 4x400m relay when they finished third in heat one in a time of 3:07.83. The final is set for this evening.

Sorrillo failed to progress out of the 60m event, placing sixth in 6.68 in the first semifinals heat. Eventual winner was Trayvon Bromell, who became the first US athlete to claim the men’s world indoor 60m title in six years with a personal best of 6.47.

Bromell, who almost didn't make it through to the final at last weekend's US Indoor Championships after finishing fourth in his semifinal, was the first man out of the blocks in lane three and maintained his lead throughout to prevail over Jamaica’s Asafa Powell (6.50) and Ramon Gittens of Barbados (6.51), respectively.

Over on the field, Ayanna Alexander fouled on all three her attempts in the women’s triple jump event. Yulimar Rojas only got in one valid jump but it was all that was needed for the Spain-based jumper, coached by Cuban long jump great Ivan Pedroso, to get Venezuela’s first world indoor title. Her second round effort of 14.41m notched up her country’s first medal at this competition of any hue.

Late last night, “Sportswoman of the Year” Cleopatra Borel was to compete in the final of the women's shot put and hurdler Mikel Thomas will be hoping to clear all his hurdles to get into the semifinals when he was to run in lane two of heat four. 

Encouraging words from member of Parliament for Port-of-Spain North/St Ann’s West, Stuart Young, during the opening ceremony of the Port-of-Spain Netball League (POSNL) helped netballers readied themselves for the upcoming season. 

The function, which was held at the Jean Pierre Complex in Mucurapo on Sunday, did not stray from its customary start that included the parade of teams and an exhibition match. Spectators were treated to two feisty and entertaining performances from this year’s junior calypso monarch Sharissa Camejo and A’Janae King Fraser, the National Action Cultural Committee’s (NACC) calypso pioneers winners.

Young threw out a challenge to all gathered asking them to invest in netball and to help it regain some of its prominence the sport once held. Netball is the only sport that has won T&T a world title.

“Parents, supporters, administrators, let’s revive the sport of netball. Go out into your communities to get all people active and let netball once again become a beacon sport for T&T,” said Young, who was clearly happy to part of the 77th edition of the league. “Be proud that it is your sport. I will give you my fullest support. Have fun, have clean fun.”

Defence Force got a boost ahead of start to the season, copping the march past title to their surprise. Though a number of teams had creative formations which entertained the crowd, it was the precise movements of the soldier/coastguard combination team in harmony, that got them the nod over the other 20 clubs. 

T&T Netball Association (TTNA) president Dr Patricia Butcher, who was present to take the salute along with Young and former POSNL president Debbie-Ann Francois, said she was delighted to be there.

“I always enjoy coming to netball openings. What I love to see is the discipline with the march past and to see how the trainers and the coaches have prepared them for this opening and of course I look forward to the league,” said Butcher.

“I hope to see healthy competitions. With the plans we have for TTNA in terms of the development of sport in the communities, this league plays an integral role in terms of developing netball in T&T so I look forward to the competition in the future.”

Defence Force collected the most points, 274, followed by Police Services with 252 in second and CS Jets in third with 244. Mucurapo Ex-Pupils (243), Malvern (242) and Horizon (239), filled the other three spots, respectively. Malvern claimed two more awards for best flag and best queen. The other clubs participating were Transcend, Harlem, Las Lomas Police Youth Club, Soul City, Cardinals, Malta Carib Senators, Jabloteh, Ebony, Fire Services, Prisons, Chips, Hillgirls, Malvernites, Laventille United and Arima United.

Vilma Holder, who has served for number of years in the POSNL in various positions, is in her first stint as president and was happy with the turnout and had high hopes that this season would be a successful one. 

“As the theme said, we expect teams to excel so we can have a greater participation in world netball,” she said.

The tentative date for the start of competition is April 1. Teams will compete in four divisions including the “A”, Intermediate, “B” and beginners. Following the formal part of the activities, spectators were treated to a match between two mixed men’s and women’s teams, Las Lomas and El Basan. The later emerged with a 48-20 win.

Akanni Hislop was T&T’s star on the final day of the Carifta Games at the Grenada National Stadium, St Georges, yesterday, defending his 200 metres title, copping gold in a time of 20.89 seconds, despite moving up in age group.

Hislop, who won the Boys Under-18 200m dash last year, was unstoppable in the U-20 bracket and beat Bahamaian Keanu Pennerman (21.03) and Coull Graham (21.05) of Antigua and Barbuda, respectively, to the line in the final session the 45th edition of the premier track and field event in the Caribbean.

The sprinter was the fastest of the eight qualifiers with a run of 21.01 seconds in the heats and improved on that form in the medal race. He was one of four local athletes sealing a medal including silver from Tyrell Edwards in in the Boys U-18 200m, and bronze each for Jeminise Parris in the Girls 100m hurdles and Asha James in the Girls U-18 javelin throw.

Edwards crossed second in the final of the Boys U-18 200m in 21.56 to finish behind Jamaican Michael Stephens, who won in 21.43. Third was Matthew Clarke of Barbados in 21.75.

Parris' time of 13.73 (13.725) earned her bronze in a tight finish of the Girls 100m hurdles event. Parris was beaten to the line by Jamaican Sidney Marshall, who also clocked 13.73 (13.724) by a millisecond. Winning was another Jamaican, Rushelle Burton, in 13.36. In Girls U-18 100 hurdles event, Anya Akili was fifth in 14.03. Ako Hislop had no better luck in the boys' version of the race and placed fourth in 14.08.

Cheziah Phillip was also active in the event but did not make it out of the qualifying heats. She placed fifth in heat one in 14.77. James picked up a bronze medal for T&T with a best toss of 44.44. Winning was Daneliz Thomas of Cayman Islands (45.97) and second was Grenadian Holly Charles (44.75).

T&T's competitors in the boys U-18 long jump event, Aaron Cruickshank (6.48) and Jossiah Edwards (6.45) placed 11th and 12th, respectively. In the Girls U-18 800m, Kershel Mc Intyre time of 2:15.95 was good enough for fourth and she was followed in by teammate Joanna Rogers in fifth in 2:17.63. The boys U-18 race saw Jaden St Louis also place fifth in 1:55.65.

On Sunday night, T&T bagged two relay bronze medals in the 4x100m relay events in the U-18 and U-20 divisions in races that were dominated by the Jamaicans. The quartet of Akeera Esdelle, Akila Lewis, Shania McCarter and Janea Spinks took third in the Girls U-18 race in 47.27, finishing behind Jamaica, who won in 45.87 and Bahamas, second in 46.37.

Later, T&T’s Girl U-20 team of Sarah Wollaston, Jada Barker, Jeminese Parris and Renee Stoddard also got bronze in 46.68. Jamaica copped the gold in 44.30 and Bahamas crossed second in 45.62. T&T's Boys U-18 relay squad of Hislop, Tyrell Edwards, Avindale Smith and Adell Colthrust, just missed out on the medals, finishing fourth in 42.16.

Jamaica’s team of Christopher Taylor, Michael Stephens, Dejour Russell and Jhevaughn Matherson won in a new CARIFTA record time of 40.40 seconds. The previous record of 40.52 was set by the Jamaican team at the 2015 Games.

Selected results
Girls 
U-20 100m Hurdles
1 Rushelle Burton  (Jamaica) - 13.36 
2 Sidney Marshall (Jamaica) - 13.73 (13.724)
3 Jeminise Parris (T&T) - 13.73 (13.725)
U-18 Javelin
1 Daneliz Thomas (Cayman Islands) - 45.97
2 Holly Charles (Grenada) - 44.75 
3 Asha James (T&T) - 44.44

Boys
U-20 200m
1 Akanni Hislop (T&T) - 20.89 
2 Keanu Pennerman (Bahamas) - 21.03 
3 Coull Graham (Antigua and Barbuda) - 21.05 4.5
U-18 200m
1 Michael Stephens (Jamaica) - 21.43 
2 Tyrell Edwards (T&T) - 21.56
3 Matthew Clarke (Barbados) - 21.75