THIS WEEK IN NACAC
28 June 2021
NACAC Brand Centre-stage
One of the major highlights of NACAC over the past several months has been the enhanced positioning of the organisation’s brand.
Over the years there has been a consistent response from many of the organisation’s stakeholders, especially the athletes, regarding their lack of awareness of the institution. The leadership has committed to ensuring that brand recognition is given appropriate priority during its tenure.
At the Jamaica and Bahamas National Championships/Olympic Trials over the weekend, the NACAC Brand was clearly in evidence on the electronic display boards in the respective arenas where the competition took place.
President, Michael Sands, expressed his “satisfaction with the prominence given to the NACAC Brand over the weekend especially at member federation Championships/Trials watched by the entire athletics world because of the involvement of Olympic, World Champions and world leaders in the respective competitions. This will become the norm at the activities of all of our member federations and not just at our NACAC Championships. Every member must feel an integral part of what constitutes NACAC.”
NACAC’s leadership has pledged to do much more to make the brand more visible throughout the Area since this is critical to ensuring that the organization can attract sponsors and partners going forward.
VCB calls it a day
Veronica Campbell-Brown has taken her leave from the track she has adorned and dominated. The 39-year old winner of 19 medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships level announced her retirement on Wednesday 23 June, International Olympic Day, one day ahead of the start of the National Championships/Olympic Trials in her native, Kingston, Jamaica.
Since the announcement, VCB as she has been familiarly called, has received accolades from the Jamaican athletics fraternity, Olympic Association and the Government as well as from followers of the sport around the world.
VCB has been lauded as an inspiration to girls and female athletes in Jamaica.
She participated in the 100m at the Inaugural NACAC Invitational which took place at the ANSIN Sports Complex, Miramar, Ft Lauderdale on 5 June 2021. The event was won by Elaine Thompson.
Among the many achievements of VCB are 200m and 4 x 100m gold medals at the Olympics of 2004 and 2008 respectively.
Aruba loses stalwart Athletics Administrator
The Aruba Athletiek Bond (AAB) and indeed, the entire athletics and sporting family of Aruba are coming to terms with the passing of Harry Janssen, the longest-serving president of the Bond. Born in March 1935, Janssen developed into a leading athlete and later, founded Aruba Athletiek Bond and the Olympia Track and Field Club.
Janssen died on 24 June 2021.
Newly elected president of the AAB, Virginia Dirsk, described Janssen as, “A friend, icon and an example to many will be greatly missed but surely remembered.” She concluded, “Our sympathy goes to his relatives, friends and the Aruban sports community.”
Around NACAC
ARU
The Aruba Athletiek Bond (AAB) celebrated its first National Championships under new leadership over the weekend, 26 – 27 June 2021.
NACAC expressed best wishes to the AAB as it enters a new phase along its development pathway and noted that the commitment given at the first meeting with the new executive following elections on 15 June 2021 remains in place.
BAH
Olympic 400m champion, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, reigned supreme at her country’s National Championships/Olympic Trials over the weekend when winning the 400m (50.49), ahead of Doneisha Anderson (52.67) of Florida and Megan Moss (53.23) of the University of Kentucky in third.. Ashley Kelly of the BVI (54.15) was fourth with Barbados’ Tia-Adana Belle (54.40) in fifth.
Miller-Uibo returned on Sunday to win the 200m in 22.18 ahead of Anthonique Strachan (22.76) and Lacarthea Cooper (24.12). On the men’s side, Teray Smith was first home in 20.67, with Terrence Jones Jr (20.81) and Ian Kerr (21.04) in his wake. Trinidad and Tobago’s Dwight St Hillaire achieved 20.86 in winning the B section of the 200m.
Reigning world 400m champion, Steven Gardiner, cruised to victory in 44.52, ahead of Wendell Miller (45.81).
In the 100m women, TyNia Gaither produced 11.27 in victory ahead of Anthonique Strachan (11.30). Samson Colebrooke won the men’s 100m (10.31) with Terrence Jones (10.39) in second.
In the Invitational segment of the 100m, Antigua and Barbuda’s Cejhae Greene won in 10.33, ahead of Akanni Hislop (10.34) and Richard Thompson (10.35), both of Trinidad and Tobago. On Monday 28, there will be the Blue Marlins Last Chance Invitational, at which the overseas competitors will be in full competition through to the finals in all events.
In the 110mH for visitors, Ruebin Walters (13.65) of Trinidad and Tobago narrowly edged compatriot, Mikel Thomas (13.66). The 100mH for women saw Devynne Charlton (12.87) lead the athletes home ahead of Pedrya Seymour, both of Puma, with Haiti’s Mulern Jean (13.12) in third.
To have a competitive time for the Tokyo Olympics the Bahamas A team competed against Mexico and a Bahamas B team. The A team of Wanya McCoy, Steven Gardiner, Wendell Miller and Alonzo Miller, posted 3:02.87 while Mexico did 3:04.46 in placing second.
Barbados’ Akela Jones took the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.60m, with Bahamian Bianca
Stuart, second with 5.84m and Mariah Toussaint of Dominica third with 5.72m.
And in the women’s discus, Bahamian Serena Brown won with a toss of 57.83m. American Micaela Hazlewood was second with 57.47m.
JAM
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was the name on everyone’s lips at the end of the Jamaica National Championships/Olympic Trials, 24 – 27 June 2021.
On Friday 25 June, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.71) literally romped home to victory in what was easily the highlight of the Championships until then. Two days later, she returned to complete the double by winning the 200m establishing a new track record at Jamaica’s national stadium, erasing Veronica Campbell=Brown’s long-standing time.
Having finished second to Elaine Thompson-Herah in the 100m semi-final, and after Shericka Jackson stormed to the fastest time in the other semi-final, Fraser-Pryce led the 100m finals from start to finish, proving yet again that she relishes the big occasion. Jackson (10.82) finished in second, holding off the fast-finishing Thompson-Herah (10.84). in third.
National and World Junior Champion, Brianna Williams (11.01), finished fourth, booking her place on the relay team for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, next month.
In the 200m, running out of lane 4, and with her main rivals, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson ahead of her in lanes 5 and 6 respectively, Fraser-Pryce got off to another perfect start, made up the staggers by the turn onto the home straight and maintained the lead through the line ahead of Jackson and Herah, just as had happened in the 100m two days earlier. Tyquendo Tracey scored something of an upset in winning the men’s 100m ahead of Yohann Blake. The latter was again upstaged in the 200m by Rasheed Dwyer, having to settle for second. Janieve Russell, won the women’s 400mH in 54.07 while Jaheel Hyde ran 48.18 in his victory in the men’s 400mH.
JAAA President and Chair of the NACAC Competition Commission, Garth Gayle, was high in praise of the performances of the Jamaican athletes during the four days of competition. “The athletes gave of their best and proved themselves most deserving of wearing the nation’s colours in our very proud tradition at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, later this year. Once more, Jamaica will also carry the NACAC banner, alongside the USA and all of the member federations of the Area, justifying the organisation’s claim to being the most prolific of all of the World Athletics’ family.”
USA
The penultimate day of the USATF’s Olympic Trials on Saturday 26 June was marked by the tears flowing down the cheeks of the doyen of the sport in that country, Allyson Felix after she finished 5th in the 200m. Following her 400m qualifying performance earlier in the week, Felix lost out in the 200m and was clearly disappointed as the tears flowed so readily. She bade her adoring fans fond farewell as she left the arena in Track Town, Eugene, Oregon.
Gabby Thomas won the 200m (21.61) ahead of Jenna Prandini (21.89) and Anavia Battle, (21.95) respectively.
Rai Benjamin (46.83) led the field home in the men’s 400mH while Grant Holloway (12.96) won the 110mH.
Brittney Reese (7.13m) took the women’s long jump title while Mason Finley took the Men’s Discus Throw with a 63.07 performance.
The final day of competition had to be delayed until very late at night as the temperatures rose to a stunning 108 degrees and medical advice insisted on a comprehensive rescheduling of the events.
VIN
Vincentian Junior athlete, Handal Roban, continued his record-breaking winning ways as he chalked up yet another win in the 800m, this time at the Jamaica National Championships. Competing in the U-20 competition, he achieved a new national junior record and personal best of 1:49.82. Because he is a non-national he would have been considered as an invitee participant. He was ranked 3rd in the 400m in the same age category.
Uroy Ryan continued his good form being ranked 2nd in the U-18 Long Jump with a leap of 7.31m.
Nellie Ambriton, Shonte Matthias and Zita Vincent continued their winning ways when Team Athletics St Vincent and the Grenadines (TASVG) conducted its second Trials for this year’s National Championships on Saturday 26 June 2021 at the national stadium.
Prior to Saturday’s Trials, TASVG made its contribution to the National Olympic Committee’s (NOC) annual Olympic Day celebrations with a sports family walk around the track and the national stadium.
Nationals are set for 3 – 4 July at the national stadium.
CADICA
Nine records at CADICA Seniors
Nine records were the highlight of the latest edition of the CADICA Senior Championships that took place in San Jose, Costa Rica, 26 – 27 June 2021.
The following are the new CADICA records:
Female
- Gabriela Figueroa (HON) Hammer Throw 58.54m
- Viviana Aroche (GUA) 5000m 17.23.11s
- Diana Bogantes (CRC) 10000m 34.35.74s
- Andrea Michelle Velasco (ESA) Pole Vault 3.86m
- Maria Fernanda Peinado (GUA) 10000 march 47.01.20s
Male
- Gerald Drummond (CRC) 400m hurdles 49.31s
- Juan Diego Castro (CRC) 800m 1.49.87s
- Zack Short (HON) Shot Put 19.66m
- Roberto Sawyers (CRC) Hammer Throw 71.72m
At the conclusion of the Championships Costa Rica amassed 20 gold, 18 silver, 18 bronze, for a total of 56 medals to emerge team champions. The second was Guatemala which won a total of 15 medals (10 gold, 5 silver) with Panama finishing third with a total of 16 medals (5 golds, 6 silver, 5 bronze).
All CADICA members were in attendance at the Championships – Guatemala (13 athletes), Belize (16 athletes), El Salvador (24 athletes), Honduras (8 athletes), Nicaragua (10 athletes), Costa Rica (62 athletes) and Panama (29 athletes) – so keen were they to show solidarity.
There were also invited athletes from Ecuador (1 athlete), Puerto Rico (5 athletes) and Suriname (1 athlete), all seeking the competition they were denied during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mike Sands, President of NACAC, commended CADICA and especially its president and president of the Costa Rican member federation, Geen Clarke, for her leadership in the region and their overall commitment to NACAC.
Costa Rica has stepped forward to host the NACAC U18 and U23 Championships during the period 9 – 11 July 2021, at a time when it appeared that no hosts were eager to come forward in the face of the economic challenges posed by the pandemic.
NACAC encourages member federations to lend their support to Costa Rica by attending the Championships in a show of genuine solidarity and love for our sport.
Weekly Meetings
Monday 28 June
9.00 am – Blue Marlin Invitational, Nassau, Bahamas
Wednesday 30 June
10.00 am ECT – Weekly Meeting – Mike Sands, Michael Serralta and Keith Joseph
