The Young-at-Heart invade the track

The older generation of Barbados hit the track and competed admirably in the 15th Annual National Senior Games on Whit Monday. It was a sight to behold as those who were 40 and above showed they still could put on good performances on the track as well as field.

 

The crowds came out in their numbers under the tents in the warm conditions at the National Stadium to watch and support the seniors do their best at the successful games. Running under great conditions and clocked by state of the art timing equipment, the day came off without a hitch.

 

There were many athletes and as such there were many that stood out as they vied for a spot on the Barbados team which would compete in the annual Huntsman Games in Utah, U.S.A. The women were not to be outdone on the day by their male counterparts and did not disappoint as the competition was stiff right through the divisions. In the 40-44 division there was ding dong battle between Sheffean Walcott and Jane Evelyn of Freedom Striders. Walcott came out on top in the 200m, 400m, 800m and 1 500m with Evelyn finishing second in all but the 200m where she placed third. Shelly-Anne Sandiford shone in the 40-44 category as well taking the gold medal in the 50m and Javelin Throw and the silver in the 200m behind Joyann Eli.

 

Gayle Headley dominated the 45-49 age range carrying away wins in the 100m, 200m and 400m and second in the Cricket Ball Throw to Angela Arthur who won the Cricket Ball Throw, Javelin Throw and Shot Put. For the 50-54 sprint events, Kathy-Ann Marshall was the fastest on the day winning the 50m and 100m races but was beaten into second place by Krista Francis in the 200m. Martha Desrivieres won the 1500m and the long jump while Angela Jackson of Bamsac Bombers proudly took home the gold in the 400m, Shot Put and Cricket Ball Throw. Beverley Walters also of Bamsac Bombers outclassed the competition in the 55-59 age group to see herself at the top of the podium after winning the 50m, 100m and 200m. Her namesake and club mate, Beverley Beckles was good enough to finish second in the 50m and 100m and third best in the 200m. Jennifer Swanston-Jones won the 400m and 800m, edging out Leith Dailey-Cummins in both but Cummins was able to capture her gold medal in the 1 500m. Athletics legend Wendy Barrow-Smith was a step above the others in the field events and won the Long Jump, Shot Put and Cricket Ball Throw, but was hard pressed in the Javelin Throw and had to settle for third place behind Kendra Dorant-Knight and Swanston-Jones respectively.

 

The 60-64 division was very well represented and saw Erma Thornhill outpace the others in the short sprints to take the gold medal in the 50m, 100m and 200m. From there, Ainsley Lovell of Freedom Striders took over to bring home the gold for Freedom Striders in the long distances of the 400m, 800m and 1 500m. Janita Austin, competing unattached won three of the four field events, taking home the gold in the Shot Put, Cricket Ball and Javelin Throw and silver in the Standing Broad Jump. The energized, every ready Pearl Yearwood of the Bamsac Bombers took down all comers in the 65-69 division and blazed the track as only she could in the 50m, 100m and 200m and also won the Long Jump. Yearwood beat Shirley Harper of Freedom Striders into second place in each of the track events and Harper won the 400m. Betty Murray also performed well on the day to win the 800m and 1500m and take second in the 400m and third in the 200m. Alvina Thomas won the Shot Put, Javelin Throw and Weight Throw while placing second in the Cricket ball behind Isalene Husbands.

 

In the 70-74 age range, Hazel Gibson won the  50m, 100m 200m while Mauva Moseley took home the gold in the 400m and 800m and Joyce Thomas won the Standing Broad Jump, Shot Put and Cricket Ball Throw. The 75-79 Women events say another local athletics stalwart Kathy Harper-Hall take a chunk of the races winning the 100m, 200m, Long Jump and Standing Broad Jump while June Benjamin won the 50m and 400m. Sheila Martindale swept the field events winning the gold in the Shot Put, Cricket ball and Weight Throw. The oldest of the female athletes competed in the 80+ division and they did not disappoint. Brenda Farley briskly covered the distances to win the 50m 100m, 200m and 400m while Vernese Leacock was victorious in each field event winning the Shot Put Cricket Ball Throw and Weight Throw.

 

For the Men, the youngsters of the day, the 40-44 age category saw Gregg Ward running for Bright Sparks ran away with the gold medal in the 50m, 100m and 200m and Tregone Archibald won the Shot Put, Cricket Ball Throw and Javelin Throw events. In the 45-49 division, Glen Williams of Freedom Striders won the 100m and 200m while Andre Estwick won the 800m and Javelin Throw. Martin Prime won the 100m and 200m sprints in the 50-54 division while Patrick Bourne Bright Sparks won the longer events, the 400m and 800m and third in the 1500m. Wesley Browne took home the lion share of field event gold with victories in the Shot Put, Cricket Ball Throw and Javelin Throw. Raymond Smith took home the gold in the 50-59 short sprints winning the 50m, 100m and 200m events and Charles Bovell won the Shot Put and Cricket Ball Throw. In the 60-64 Men’s 100m, 200m and 400m Roland Waithe of Bright Sparks took home the gold and Selwyn Puckerin was the victor in the Javelin and Shot Put events. Bamsac Bombers made another sweep of events which saw Glindon Workamn in the 65-69 Division win the 100m, 200m and 400m races. Ridley Holder won the Long Jump and Standing Broad Jump while Riley Stoute was second in the Long Jump and Javelin Throw and third in the Cricket ball and Standing Broad Jump. Mark Norville cleaned up the 70-74 track events, winning the 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m in a top class performance. Clovis Morris also did himself proud, winning the Long Jump, Shot Put and Cricket Ball field events. Victor Young was very young on the track to take the top positions in the 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m events and was matched by the older yet young 80+ Barney Brathwaite winning the same events in his division as the oldest male track winner. Percival Park also cleaned up that division in the field events winning the Javelin Throw and Weight Throw.