Following the CAC (Central American and Caribbean) Track & Field Senior Championships which were held in Havanna, Cuba, that was covered each day by www.islandstats.com Bermuda Track and Field Association President Donna Watson reflected on the performances of the Bermuda athletes.
“This was a very good competition for the Bermuda Team. With six athletes traveling we came out with 2 bronze medals. The competition at this meet was very tough and it felt like another Carifta only with the Cuban athletes winning everything and placing 1st and 2nd in nearly every event”.
“Sean Trotthad a good 1/2 marathon placing 3rd and Shianne Smith had a great competition in the heptathlon placing 3rd with this being her first International completion. (The official website for the results show Smith in 4th place – Watson explained there were 2 non Caribbean athletes who were invited and not part of the competition) This was a good competition for her as going in to the last event which was the 800m she neck in neck with the competitor from Trinidad. Fortunately this was one of Smith's better events so we had no doubt that she would win the bronze. She placed 2nd in the 800m well ahead of the athlete from Trinidad”, continued Watson.
Watson continued, “We had a few disappointments with a few of our athletes. Kavin Smith was having a very good race even though he had been having stomach trouble after we arrived in Cuba he was in medal contention up to the half way point of the 1/2 marathon and pulled a hamstring. He was very disappointed as he said he felt great up to that point and this happened out of the blue”.
“Aaron Evans also had an unfortunate experience as he ran a great semi-final qualifying for the finals and then during his warm up for the finals he pulled his hamstring also. He attempted to run in the finals but limped home for the last 100m. Tre Houston was disappointed that he did not make the final in the 100m or 200m but was up against some tough competition with the winning times in the high 20's for the 200m and the high 10's for the 100m”, Watson went on to say.
“Lovintz Tota had a good come back and I can see him going very far in the sport if he sticks with it. He made it to the finals in the Long Jump and placed 6th overall. All in all I am happy with the team's performance especially at this high level and they are a young team”, concluded Watson.
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