Multi-sport athlete, Luke McIntyre of Harrison College was in a class of his own in the Open boys’ 5000m final which took place on day one of the Dasani BSSAC Finals on Wednesday at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.
McIntyre led from start to finish and clocked 16:03.07 to claim gold in the event for the second successive year.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY after his win, Luke said, “I am kind of disappointed with my result…I thought I had a decent chance of going at the record [15:41.58] and I was 20 seconds short. It might sound like a lot but it is not really. Mentally for me I feel like I am so close that is why I am disappointed in my result.”
“Overall I am happy that I was able to win the race and that my teammate came second as well,” McIntyre said.
Last year at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad & Tobago, he claimed a bronze medal in the Under-20 boys’ 5000m in a time of 16:06.00.
McIntyre, however, admitted his progress in the 5000m had not gone as he would have liked heading into next week’s Games in Grenada.
“In terms of my form, my 5000m progression seems to be a bit sluggish this year. However, I made really big improvements in my 1500m, dropping over 10 seconds from last year and I will also be running that event at the CARIFTA Games.”
“Although my 5000m form seems to be trailing a bit behind, I am excited for the CARIFTA Games seeing as I am running an extra event,” McIntyre said.
“I think I can do well, obviously I am looking to medal in the 1500m for my team and in the 5000m, hopefully gold compared to my bronze last year. I think that would be an extremely impressive result for me. It’s going to take a lot for me to get there.”
Krystal Bentham will be one to watch in the Under-20 girls’ 400m, advancing with the fastest semifinal time of 55.95 seconds.
At BSSAC last year, Bentham completed the sprint double in the Under-17 girls’ 100m (12.32) and 200m (24.79). Meanwhile at the 2025 CARIFTA Games, Bentham narrowly missed out on the Under-17 girls’ 200m final with a 25.05 clocking, which placed her ninth overall.
However this year, Bentham has shifted her focus to the 200m and 400m events and is reaping the benefits.
Earlier in March at the National Junior Championships, Bentham won the Under-20 girls’ 400m in 54.53 seconds, dipping comfortably under the CARIFTA standard of 55.00 seconds.
Speaking to Barbados TODAY after her semifinal win today, Bentham said she was pleased with her performance.
“I just went to qualify. I got out, finished so that it would be just enough to get in,” she said.
Bentham also gave her reason for switching from the 100m to the 400m.
“The 100m is not really my main event but I just did it for my points. Now I can focus on the 400m and improve my time,” she explained.
This year at CARIFTA, Bentham wants to make the finals and better her personal best.
For the future, Krystal is aiming high. ”Before I finish Under 20, I would like to run a 53 (400m) and in the 200m, a 23.” (NGM)
