LAST Sunday’s scaled down athletics meet at the George Odlum Stadium (GOS) in Vieux Fort was a success even though it was the first of its kind in 14 months.
Hosted by the Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA), League Meet No. 1 was a five-hour event with nine out of the 10 scheduled events completed.
Athletes were able to compete in the long jump, 100 metres, 400 metres, 1500 metres women / men and high jump (men). The women’s high jump was a no show.
“We are very satisfied with the participation of the various clubs despite the rigid and established protocols that were in place. The many coaches, managers and athletes received them well and were excited for competition,” said SLAA Public Relations Officer, Makeba Alcide,
She said the SLAA looks forward to getting approval from the CMO Office to host more meets in the near future.
Meet Technical Director, Patrick Mathurin was enthusiastic about the first league meet organized by the SLAA, noting that it has been a long time in coming.
“The numbers are not what we expect normally, but since it’s the first meet for the year and persons are coming in, we are satisfied with what has taken place. Like previous meets, the event started on time and things flowed as they should and we are very happy for that,” Mathurin said.
In terms of hosting other meets Mathurin said that the SLAA is hoping to get permission from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer to host many more.
Long Jump champion on the day, Kereser Augustin said he started off a bit nervous after over one year not doing any competitive event.
When asked how much did COVID-19 impacted his training he said thus: “The pandemic did set back my training considerably in the beginning, but luckily I was able to get back on track as normal. To come out here today and perform creditably, I am happy”. She noted.
Men 400-meter runner, Asa Francis said, “To be honest it feels good that we have a chance to compete again knowing that we have been at home for the last 14 months. In terms of my preparation, I have been training on my own as my coach is currently off island and coming into today’s event, to be honest I felt a bit heavy, but was still able to go out and give it my best shot”.
Some of the top finishers on the day: Women Long Jump – 1st Kereser Augustin 5.17 meters (Survivors); 2nd was May-JadE Napoleon 5.06 metres (Saint Lucia Sports Academy) with 3rd place going to Aaliyah Estephor 4.83 meters (Survivors).
Men’s High Jump: 1st was Jean Claude Augustin who jumped 1.75 metres (Mercury); 2nd place went to Nickel Leo who jumped 1.70 metres (Survivors).
Women 400 metres: 1st Aaliyah Estephor in 1 minute 01.59 seconds (Survivors); 2nd Sherniece Kirton, 1 minute 06.14 seconds (Elite); 3rd Annia Henry 1 minute 08.54 seconds (Nightriders); 4th EvankaEllick 1 minute 09.52 seconds (Morne Stars); 5th Amara Biscette 1 minute 10. 38 seconds (Rockets Athletes).
Men 400 metres: 1st Asa Francis 50.64 seconds (Pace Setters), 2nd Latin Nicholson 51.31 seconds (Survivors); 3rd Rowell St. Omer 51.62 seconds (Elite); 4th Stephan Charles 51.97 seconds (Nightriders); 5th Augustin Vitalis 52.55 seconds (Unattached).
Long Jump Men: 1st Kelly Charles 6.96 metres (Road Buster); 2nd Lekwane Antoine 6.54 metres (Survivors); 3rd Zachary Edmund 6.23 metres (Morne Stars).
Women 100 metres:1st Hanna Charles 12.54 seconds (Rockets Athletics: 2nd Kayla Charles 12.69 seconds (Survivors), 3rd Mya Hippolyte 12.78 seconds (Survivors), 4th Joy Edward 12.88 seconds (Survivors);5th Kiana Casimir 13.11 seconds (Rockets Athletics).
Men 100 metres:1st LenynLeonce in a time of 10.81 seconds (Morne Stars); 2nd Miguel Charlery also clocked 10.81 seconds (Rockets Athletics); 3rd Jeano Henry in 10.82 seconds (Survivors); 4th Kelly Charles in 10.97 seconds (Road Busters); 5th Mc CaffieMatthew in 11.13 seconds (Saint Lucia Sports Academy).
Women 1500 metres: 1st NebiaMontrope, in 5 minutes 50.77 seconds (Choiseul); 2nd Shermari Charles in 6 minutes 34.53 seconds (Saint Lucia Sports Academy).
Men 1500 metres: 1st Michael Biscette, in 4 minutes 26.47 seconds (Road Busters); 2nd Kenrick James 4 minutes 43.86 seconds (Road Busters); 3rd Ajani Herman in 5 minutes 07.62 seconds (Rockets Athletics); 4th Dawensky Charles in 5 minutes 08.80 seconds (Saint Lucia Sports Academy); 5th Milan Mitchell in 5 minutes 15.39 seconds (Rockets Athletics).
