Guyana’s youth track and field prospects will intensify preparations for the upcoming CARIFTA Games when the national contingent enters encampment tomorrow at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The athletes are scheduled to report at 15:00h before beginning structured training sessions on Saturday, in their build-up to the regional championships set for April 4–6 in Grenada.
Following the initial camp, the squad will gain valuable competitive exposure at a two-day “CARIFTA vs the Rest” meet, slated for March 28 and 29 at the NTFC. According to AAG official Niall Stanton, the event will see the CARIFTA-bound athletes competing against both age-group and senior competitors, providing an important opportunity to assess readiness and fine-tune performances ahead of the Games.
Stanton told this publication that the contingent features “a blend of emerging talent and experienced junior athletes across sprint, middle-distance, jumps, throws, and relay events”.
In the Under-17 category, Guyana will rely heavily on sprinters such as Omari Welch, Malique Kendall, and Jumeel Cornette, while middle-distance runner Jermaine Shepherd and multi-event jumper Keimal Gishard are also expected to play key roles. On the girls’ side, Tesihanna Harris, Angel Jeffery, and Olivia Solomon headline the sprint and middle-distance events.
The Under-20 division boasts a strong lineup, including Onesi Dunn, Gordon Thompson, and Tishawn Easton in the sprints, while athletes like Javon Roberts and Ebo McNeil will spearhead the distance events. Proven winners Tianna Springer and Athaleyha Hinckson are among the standout female competitors, with participation also extending to field events such as javelin and long jump.
Relay teams across both age groups are also assembled, with Guyana expected to challenge strongly in the 4x100m and 4x400m events, including a mixed relay team that blends both male and female athletes.
Guyana’s CARIFTA team comprises the following:
Under-17 Boys
Omari Welch – 100m, 200m, long jump, 4×100 relay
Malique Kendall – 100m, 4x100m Relay
Jumeel Cornette – 200m, 4x100m relay
Jarel Campbell – 400m, Long Jump, 4×100 Relay
Jermaine Shepherd – 800m, 1500m
Bryson Anderson – 800m
Keimal Gishard – Triple Jump, High Jump, 4x100m Relay
Under-17 Girls
Tesihanna Harris – 100m, 200m
Angel Jeffery – 100m, 200m
Olivia Solomon – 400m
Oliver Solomon – 800m
Field Events (U17)
Nathaniel Samaroo – Discus, Shot Put
Under-20 Boys
Onesi Dunn – 100m, 4x100m relay
Gordon Thompson – 100m, 4×100 Relay
Tishawn Easton – 200m, 400m, mixed relay, 4×100 relay, 4×400 relay
Daquan Farrell – 200m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay
Malachi Austin – 400m, Mixed Relay, 4x400m Relay
Javon Roberts – 800m, 1500m, 4×400 Relay
Kaidon Persaud – 800m, Javelin, Mixed Relay, 4x400m Relay
Ebo McNeil – 1500m, 5000m
Skylar Charles – 4×100 Relay, 4×400 Relay
Walton Alleyne – Long Jump, 4×100 Relay
Under-20 Girls
Athaleyha Hinckson – 100m, 200m
Akeela Dover – 100m, 200m, Mixed Relay
Tianna Springer – 400m, Mixed Relay
Relays
U17 Boys 4×100 Relay: Welch, Cornette, Kendall, Campbell, Gishard
U20 Boys 4×100 Relay: Dunn, Thompson, Charles, Farrell, Alleyne, Easton
U20 Mixed 4×400 Relay: Easton, Austin, Persaud, Springer, Dover
U20 Boys 4×400 Relay: Austin, Easton, Charles, Farrell, Persaud, Roberts
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