T&T’s 22-athlete contingent is expected to touch down in Eugene, Oregon, at around midday today, ahead of the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) World Junior Championships, which will take place in the same city from Tuesday to Sunday. The team was scheduled to depart T&T just after 12.20 am, two days before the start of competition. According to management, there has been no cause for concern over the fitness of any of the athletes thus far and several are in prime form to capture precious metal, including the world’s top-ranked 400m sprinter in his class, Machel Cedenio.
Dexter Voisin, the team’s head coach tipped Cedenio, a multiple CAC and Carifta gold medallist, and this country’s 4x100m girls’ and boys’ teams for success. Cedenio is also included in the 4x400m boys’ relay team. “The present athletes started campaigning since the Carifta Games before they went onto the CAC Games, where they had the opportunity to assess themselves. In a sense it gave them the chance to gauge their performances,” said Voisin. “Their current rankings could speak for their expectations. The 4x100 relay teams, the boys and girls are expected to do well based on their rankings, and some of the individuals, like Shakeil Waithe (javelin) but nothing is cast in stone. Remember, some of the European teams do not get to train together like we do, so that would affect the standings.”
Voisin said while many will focus their attention on the Commonwealth Games, local athletics fans should tune in to witness the potential successes of a highly talented crop of players. The Commonwealth Games will start on Wednesday and close on August 3, in Glasgow, Scotland. The girls 4x100m relay team comprises Zakiya Denoon, Aaliyah Telesford, Kayelle Clarke, Mauricia Prieto and Trishelle Leacock, while the boys equivalent includes Jonathan Farinha, John Mark Constantine, Holland Cabare, Micah Ballantyne, Akanni Hislop, Aaron Lewis. Voisin also suggested that Farinha (boys 100m and 200m) may be in line for a medal. He is ranked 9th and 13th in the two distances, respectively.
T&T TEAM
Girls
100m—Zakiya Denoon, Aaliyah Telesford
200m—Kayelle Clarke
100m hurdles—Akila McShine
Shot put—Portious Warren
Relay Pool
4x100m—Zakiya Denoon, Aaliyah Telesford, Kayelle Clarke, Mauricia Prieto, Trishelle Leacock
Boys
100m—John Mark Constantine, Jonathan Farinha
200m—Jonathan Farinha
400m—Asa Guevara, Machel Cedenio
800m—Nicholas Landeau
110m hurdles—Aaron Lewis, Ruebin Walters
Javelin—Shackeil Waithe
Relay Pools
4x100m—Jonathan Farinha, John Mark Constantine, Holland Cabare, Micah Ballantyne, Akanni Hislop, Aaron Lewis.
4x400m—Machel Cedenio, Asa Guevara, Odel James, Breon Mullings, Nathan Farinha, Ruebin Walters
Officials
Jim Clarke (manager), Dexter Voisin (head coach), Charles Joseph (sprints coach), Kerron Brown (throws coach), Althea Busby (sprints, hurdles coach), Shurlan Bonas (massage therapist).