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Juniors launch battle for Carifta spots
February 27, 2025
The country's top under-17 and under-20 athletes will be vying for spots at this year's Carifta Games when the three-day Carifta Trials get underway tomorrow at G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport, starting at 1:30 p.m. with the preliminary round of the girls' under-17 100m.
The trials, originally slated for the National Stadium, were relocated due to the scheduled resurfacing of the stadium track,which was set to begin the day after the Gibson McCook Relays.
Competition for places at the Carifta Games -- scheduled for April 19-21 in Trinidad -- should be intense, as many athletes are rounding into top form ahead of the Inter-Secondary Boys and Girls' Championships, set for March 25-29.
The recent Gibson McCook Relays showcased the majority of these athletes, who displayed excellent form, setting the stage for three days of thrilling and closely contested battles. Many will also be looking to gain a psychological edge ahead of Champs.
Tomorrow's opening day of competition will feature a total of 12 finals -- eight in field events and four on the track.
On the track, the four finals will be the 100m races for both males and females in both age groups, with the senior boys set to close out proceedings at 5:55 p.m.
Among the contenders in the girls' under-17 100m, St Jago High's Adora Campbell, with a season best 11.52, and her teammate Malayia Duncan (11.84) will lead the charge. Edwin Allen's duo of Daniela Clarke (11.99) and Tashana Godfrey, along with Ferncourt High's Rhianna Scott are expected to be in the mix for top honours.
The girls' under-20 100m looks to be a straight showdown between Lacovia High's Sabrina Dockery and Shanoya Douglas of Muschett High. Dockery leads the pack with a season-best 11.21, just ahead of Douglas (11.34), the World under-20 200m bronze medallist. Hydel's Shemonique Hazle (11.55) and St Jago's Bryana Davidson (11.67) will also be aiming to shake things up.
In the boys' under-20 100m, Wolmer's Boys' Gary Card is in a league of his own. With a season best 10.07, he is the clear favourite. The battle for second place is expected to be fierce, featuring Excelsior's Riquelme Reid (10.31), Kingston College's Nyrone Wade (10.33), and Calabar High's Shaquane Gordon (10.34) and Khamane Gordon (10.37).
Calabar's Bryon Walker, with a season-best 10.65, is the favourite in the boys' under-17 100m. Holmwood Technical's Jaydon Collins (10.69), Excelsior's Michael Graham (10.75), and Walker's teammate Ched Brown (10.82) should make it an exciting race.
In field events, all eyes will be on the girls' under-20 shot put, starting at 1:30 p.m., featuring new national junior record holder Maria Kay Lampart of Clarendon College, with a best of 15.98m. St Catherine High's Able Mills (14.64m) and Excelsior's Kimeka Smith (14.59m) will be hoping to cause an upset.
In the boys' under-20 shot put, Kingston College's Despiro Wray (18.31m) and Munro College's Davont Edwards (18.22m) are expected to battle for top honours.
