Cayman’s track-and-field team is bringing home two gold and one bronze medal, in addition to gaining all-important experience, from the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago.
The 15 Cayman athletes showcased the talent and hard work that led them to qualify for the games, held 19-21 April, with some also recording personal bests.
Gabriella Linton was the first to medal for Cayman, securing gold in the girls U17 shot put. Linton’s winning throw, achieved on her third attempt, was a personal best of 14.07 metres.
The athlete told the Compass, “It hasn’t sunk in yet that I’ve medalled.”
She said that, through this experience, she learned that she is able to achieve anything she puts her mind to.
Kaliah Haye took the second gold, in the girls U17 discus, throwing 44.91m. Haye told the Compass she was very proud of herself when she realised that she had secured gold, adding, “I knew I had the ability to throw that far.”
She admitted that she tried her best to break the U17 girls discus record, but fell short; nonetheless, she said she was able to achieve first place “with God’s grace”.
She added that despite feeling nervous at the start of the competition, she learned that she functions well under pressure.
Girls U17 long jumper Delora Johnson earned a bronze medal after leaping 5.40m on her first attempt, describing that accomplishment as “a moment of relief”, because she was doubtful at one point during the competition about even making it to the finals.
With this year’s CARIFTA now behind them, all three medallists said that the upcoming international meets with their track clubs and the Cayman Athletics National Championships on 27-28 June, are next on their competition agenda.
Team coach Kenrick Williams, who accompanied the Cayman athletes, said, “Regarding field events, this year does appear to be one of the most successful in recent memory.”
He described the achievement as being “a rare and impressive feat”, for Cayman, saying, “This success highlights the effectiveness of Cayman’s field event programme and suggests promising momentum for future competition.”
Cayman placed seventh out of 20 Caribbean countries on the CARIFTA medals table.
The team is scheduled to return to Cayman Wednesday afternoon.
