The Dominica Amateur Athletics Association held its first development meet at the Benjamin Park in Portsmouth on Sunday 24th January, 2010. Over sixty athletes were in attendance all vying to achieve the required standard for this year’s Carifta Games, which will be held during the Easter break in the Cayman Islands.
Leading the way was Dillon Simon of the Olympians Athletics Club (OAC) who threw a new national record in the U-20 boys’ shot put. He threw a distance of 17. 10 meters erasing the previous record of 17.06 meters set by Tyron Benjamin since 2006.
When the javelin competition commenced two other throwers quickly made their mark. Shanica Yankey of
the Wesmar Rangers (WES) who finished 4th at last year’s Carifta Games in the U-17 girls javelin, has her eyes set on taking gold this year. She threw a personal best of 36. 80 meters to attain her needed standard.
Andre Bazil of the OAC is destined to repeat his gold medal performance produced at last year’s Carifta Games in the U-20 boys’ javelin. He threw a distance of 63. 96 meters, just 91 centimeters short of the national record which he currently holds.
Unlike our throwers the runners have been struggling tremendously to attain the qualification standard because of the top level performances produced among our Caribbean runners.
However Luan Gabriel and Lenon Toussaint both from the Portsmouth Amateur Athletics Club (PAAC) broke through that struggle.
Luan Gabriel with a magnificent start from the blocks ran through the finish line well clear of her nearest rival in the U-17 girls 100m in a time of 12. 2 seconds. Her training partner Lenon Toussaint clocked 11.2 seconds in the U-17 boys 100m to secure himself a spot on this year’s Carifta team.
Hurdling has not been attracting much interest among Dominican runners but much excitement surrounded the two athletes who decided to continue developing themselves in this event. It was a crowning moment in the day’s activities when Damian Frank of the PAAC and Chelsey Linton of WES qualified in the U-17 100m hurdles.
Damian Frank clocked 14. 7 seconds in the U-17 boys while Chelsey Linton clocked 15. 8 seconds in the U-17 girls. There is still a lot of work to be done with hurdling in Dominica but we pause to recognize the efforts of these two athletes who started this event at the Age Group Championship level, and continue to show progress.
To date the National team for the Carifta Games stands at seven qualifiers, with two development meets, a few outside opportunities and the National Junior Championship still to come.
PRESS RELEASE
i wish you shanica all the best and good luck from your cousin
Congratullations to all the Athletes who performed well and qualified for the Carifta Games…Special congratulations to the PAAC Athletes. I started in St. John’s School and later PSS. Big-up to Andy, Naby and all the other individuals who assists the athletes in Posse….Keep on Keepng on!
I cant believe that we are still Amateur!!
hats off to NEC girl.
I must applaud the Dominican athletes for their performance in an effort to qualify for the carifta games. My advice to the new and upcoming athletes; Keep on training.
I know Luan and Lenon will make us proud. Represent I.T.S.S PEEPS.
Go Shanika go make Woodford Hill proud and be the best role model you can be for the rest of the youngsters in the village. I am so proud of you.
well the athlettes need more sportin facilities dem fellas have de money and not doin nothin 4 the art form here jus collectin money 4 dere own use but this athletes r good big to dem especially thoise from o.a.c big up lobbie keep doin ur thin
Competition from the Cayman Islands is very important and I hope that athletes are trained. I like Damian Frank, and I hope to win a medal.