The local track and field season officially kicked off with a bang on 17 Jan. at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex with the First Chance meet.
Highlighting the event, the under-17 girls shot put saw two competitors surpass the CARIFTA qualifying standard of 12.25 metres, with one athlete setting a new national junior record.
Linton and Haye dominate
Gabriella Linton took first place with a throw of 14.30m – breaking her own previous national junior record of 14.07m set at last year’s CARIFTA Games. Kaliah Haye followed in second with a mark of 13.89m.
Building on their success from last year’s CARIFTA held in Trinidad and Tobago, both athletes carry the momentum of being gold medallists into the current season – Haye in the discus and Linton in the shot put.
“Throwing this distance means a lot to me because it reflects the hard work and dedication I’ve put into training. I’m grateful for my coach’s [Stanley Goodridge] commitment, which played a big role in helping me qualify for CARIFTA and break the Cayman Islands national junior record,” said Linton.
Linton added that surpassing the CARIFTA qualification “definitely boosts my confidence heading into the Games, while also bringing higher expectations following last year’s successful performance in Trinidad.”
“It’s exciting but a bit nerve wracking,” she admitted.
Haye, reflecting on her achievement said, “As a 14-year-old, it reminds me that I’m improving and moving in the right direction. It also motivates me to keep pushing myself and believe that I can achieve even more.”
For her, this achievement boosts her confidence and excitement, and it makes her feel good knowing that she is “capable of competing at that level.”
She admits, “While there is some pressure, I see it as positive pressure [as] it encourages me to stay focused and work even harder.”
To continue the momentum leading up to the 2026 CARIFTA Games in Grenada from 4-6 April, both athletes intend to remain consistent, focused and disciplined during training, giving attention to improving technique and strength as well as working on “the small details that make a difference” while prioritising physical health through “resting properly”.
‘Unicorns’
Beyond impressed by the progression of both athletes, Stanley Goodridge, Cayman’s athletics head coach said, “I once read in a book where the author said, “this kind of certainty only comes along once in a lifetime”. These two young ladies are unicorns.”
“When I look at the data, the distances they are throwing now at their age group is on par or ahead of most of the top ten female throwers when they were 14,” Goodridge added.
Providing some insight into their training, he said, “We have been working conscientiously on improving their technique and mental toughness.”
“As long as they stay interested in the sport, the future is theirs for the taking,” he added.
Reflecting on the entire event, Cayman Athletics president Delroy Murray described the meet as a highly competitive start to the year that “augurs well for the future” of the sport in the islands.
