AAA select eight for CAC jnr. c/ships
By Michael DaSilva
Stabroek News
June 16, 2002
The Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana (AAA) has selected an eight-member team for the Central American and Caribbean, Junior Track and Field Chanmpionships, slated for Barbados from July 3-8.
The team which comprises four boys and a similar number of girls, includes Junior Carifta Games 5000-metre gold medalist Clevland Forde, silver medalist Tai Payne and Whitsuntide Games multi medalist Randy Lee.
According to AAA’s president Claude Blackmoore, United States based female Guyanese athlete who has been creating a name for herself in US college meets, Jeavone Benjamin could be joining the team in Barbados.
Blackmoore told Stabroek Sport that the Friends of Guyana Athletics Club based in the United States has made contact with the AAA, requesting that Benjamin’s name be included on the local team list, and according to Blackmoore, the US club is finalising the arrangements for the under-17 athlete’s trip to Barbados.
The team will be managed by Guyana Teachers Union’s president Bertram Hamilton. Dennis Smith has been appointed coach, while Pamela Phillips is the chaperon.
The other team members are; (girls) Michelle Vvaughn, Delcia Dick, Jennifer Chichester and Kimberly Holder. (boys) Derwin Eastman.
Vaughn has been selected for the girls under-20 long and triple jumps, while Dick and Chichester will contest the girls under-17 800 and 1500-metre events.
Holder has been selected for the under-17, 400 and 800-metre races and if Benjamin makes the trip, she will contest the 200 and 400-metre events.
In the boys category, Forde will run the 5000 and 10,000-metre races, while Payne will do battle in the under-20, 400 and 800-metre events.
Eastman and Lee will contest the under-17, 400 and 800-metre races.
Blackmoore however said that the AAA is still seeking sponsorship to send its team to the meet.
Originally, the AAA had shortlisted 19 athletes to go into specialised training under a number of coaches for possible selection on the CAC team, but the AAA had stated that the list of names was a provisional one since athletes could have been added or deleted.
The 19-member list had included under-17 girls Analisa Austin (100 and 200 metres).
Under-17 Boys: Renaldo McRae (100 and 200m), Sherwin Johnson (1500m), Marvin Calvan (3000m) and Vince Reid (shot-put and discus).
Under-20 girls: Gevita David (800 and 1500m), Dacia Carter (discus), Shondella Johnson (shot-put) and Rhonda Floris (javelin).
Under-20 boys: Keith Roberts (100 and 200m), Royston Ross (shot-put and discus) and Cleon Washington (shot-put and discus).