Five-time Juvenile champion of T&T Cougars track and field club, made a triumphant historic visit to Barbados last Saturday when it dominated the Barbados Relay Fair which was staged at the National Stadium in St Michael.
The T&T champion let their Bajan counterparts know that its Carnival was not over, as they brought the festivities all the way to their Caribbean neighbours, “prancing and palancing” over the competition. There was no stopping Cougars who led from the first event to the last, winning a majority of the boys’ and girls categories and the Championship trophy in the process.
On their first appearance in “Bimshire”, Cougars did not disappoint, they impressed with their accurate baton passes and the patrons loved it.
Their first record came when they obliterated the field to win the Under-13 Girls 1,000 metres sprint medley. The Cougars “Dream Team” as they called by its coach Kelvin Nancoo crossed the line first in two minutes, 27.43 seconds, smashing the old record of 2:33.31 set in 2014 by Foundation. A very distant second were Foundation in 2:40.75 while Springer Memorial were third in 2:47.53.
The Cougars had to fight hard to pick up their second record of the day as they had to stave off a stiff challenge from St Michael School in the U–15 boys 1,600m sprint medley. Cougars won in 3:56.00. The old record was 3:56.47.
Another exciting race came in the U–15 girls 4x100 metres relay between Cougars and Foundation. Foundation looked set to upset the Cougars when Leilani Haddock received the baton three metres ahead of Caliyah Wallace and the crowd roared their approval but their celebration was shortlived as Wallace went into overdrive and blew past her rival to the joy of the 50 Cougars supporters. Cougars won in 50.03 seconds with Foundation second in 50.26 and Springer Memorial third in 51.37.
Cougars’ other record came in the U-13 girls and U-13 boys 4 x 200m relay. Nancoo said that the team had been training for the past five months for the Relay Fair and have all intentions of returning next year to defend its title.
“We had a wonderful preparation that ended with a five-day camp at the Mannie Ramjohn Stadium and after the training there, I thought we were ready. We were on fire,” said Nancoo.
“I must commend the coaches Abeyola Akowe, Rawle Phillips and Ashton Gill for a tremendous job. Special commendations are in order for Physiotherapist Richard Clarke, Jen Cumming, Kadesha Prescott, Shania Charles and Jada bBrker for ensuring that all was well with the entries and making sure that all our athletes were focussed.
“This was really a team effort but some athletes deserve special commendation like Diamond Paul, Natasha Fox, Reneisha Andrews, Jaycel Bailey, Karissa Kirton, Tomothy Frederick, Terry Frederick and were simply superb.”
Head coach of Cougars Abeyola Akowe commented on the success of the team saying, “This was a great victory. We did what we set out to do and did it in style. They performed like true champions. You can feel nothing but pride for the young athletes and this will only spur them on to better as the season progresses. We being the first local club to travel and compete at an International meet and win, is worth savouring. I am very happy for the club, the athletes and T&T, we made everyone proud.”
Elite Distance Programme had some additional firepower in Anthonio Mascoll, who recently joined the club. They won the men’s distance medley relay in a new record of 6:17. Pacers were second in 6:32.52 while Quantum Leap were third in 6:44.93.
Records that were broken:
U-13 Girls’ 1,000m Sprint medley: Cougars (T&T) – 2:27.43
U-15 Boys’ 1,600m Sprint medley: Cougars (T&T) – 3:56.02
U–20 Girls’ 1,600m Sprint medley: Christ Church Foundation – 4:16.68
Men’s Distance medley: Elite Distance Programme – 6:17.00
U-13 Girls’ 4x100m relay: Cougars (T&T) – 52.62
U-13- Boys’ 4x100m relay: Cougars (T&T) – 53.82
U-15 Girls 4 x100 metre relay: Cougars (T&T) –50.03
U-13 Girls 4 x200 metre relay: Cougars (T&T) – 1:53.60
Men’s 4 x 200 metre relay: Bright Sparks – 1:44.79