ON THE FINAL DAY of the Sr. Central American Track and Field Championships in Mayaguez, Puerto Bianca Stuart leapt into the history books by matching the Championships record as well as setting a new Bahamian National Record in the Long Jump.
Stuart’s jump was 6.81m (22’-4-1/4”). Elva Goulbourne of Jamaica set the mark in 2003 in Grenada.
This surpasses the IAAF A-standard qualifying mark for the Daegu World Championships as well as the London Olympic Games.
The old Bahamian record of 6.80m was set by Shonel Ferguson in Taichung, Taiwan in 1982 on the way to the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia. It was tied by Jackie Edwards in San Jose, California in 1996.
After Stuart did her feats, The Bahamas ruled supreme in the 200m.
Nivea Smith tied her personal best of 22.80sec in winning the CAC crown and Anthonique Strachan won the Silver medal in 22.90sec, and new personal best. Strachan ran 22.93sec in the semi-final of the Carifta Games in April for a personal best.
Right afterward Michael Mathieu won the Men’s 200m in 20.60sec. Demetrius Pinder had made the final but decided not to run.
Lavern Eve placed fifth in the Javelin with a throw of 50.41m (165’5”).
In one of the final events of the evening Trevor Barry won the Gold medal in the High Jump with a jump of 2.28m (7’5-1/4”). Ryan Ingraham in his first ever senior team placed fourth with a jump of 2.22m.
In the final event of the evening, The Bahamas won the 4x400m relay in 3:01.33. The team was made up of LaToy Williams Avard Williams, Michael Mathieu, and Ramon Miller.
This gives the Bahamas a total of five Gold medals, two Silver medals, and three Bronze medals, for a total ten medals, placing them fourth in the competition.
Jamaica won the medal count with 10 Gold, 6 Silver, and 10 Bronze, a total of 26 medals.
Mexico finished in second with a7 Gold, 6 Silver, and 7 Bronze, a total of 20 medals. Trinidad & Tobago finished third with 6 Gold, 3 Silver, and 5 Bronze, for a total of 14 medals.
The BAAA wishes to thank the athletes, officials, parents, fans, the media, The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and most of all those corporate and individual financial supports, without whom success would have not been possible.
I am so proud of all these Bahamian athletes, Big up goes out especially to Bianca Stuart, on a job well done.
Congrats to the athletes who participated. Brilliant job, well done!
Laverne, you have done your best, its now time to retire, PLEASE!
Congratulations to ALL of the athletes who represented our island nation. Ms. Stuart you have done exceptionally well, and I pray that God continues to strengthen you.
What a great performance by our athletes. We really have some talent in this country. Well done Bianca and all who make us so very proud.
Great News……….Per Capita the Bahamas has won again.Congratulations Sr CAC team and the World youth championship and the 2011 Carifta teams. You have all made your country proud. Parents, Corporate Bahamas, Government and all well meaning citizens, let us continue to support and pray for our athletes,
They are truly a ray of hope for our nation in these times when so many are going astray
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