Team TTO | Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee | teamtto.org

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T sprinter Darrel Brown is among the top athletes to compete in the Quantum Invitational Track Classic meet which will take place at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella on Saturday. The meet which was initially advertised to begin at 4 pm, will be starting at 5 pm.

Brown, who recently brought home gold after competing at the Brigido Iriarte Memorial track and field meeting in Caracas, Venezuela is scheduled to run his first 100m heat, in the third event of the evening at 5.15 pm. He will be representing the Rebirth Athletic Club against Concorde’s Sherman Allsop and Sabian Cox of Hummingbird.

Quantum’s Machel Cedenio who won gold in the 200m and 400m events at the Carifta Games this year and double gold medalist Air Bon Sonic’s Nicholas Landeau in the 1500m event at the same games are both also carded to compete.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Quincy Wilson was in superb form at the 60th edition of the Palo Seco Games which took place at the Palo Seco Velodrome on Sunday. The former multiple Carifta champion set a new national record in the Men’s Discus event when he threw 58.60 metres. He improved the previous mark of 54.81 which he set at the  Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Championships in Havana, Cuba two years ago.

The 20-year-old former Belmont Boys Secondary student finished more than 20 metres ahead of second place Rondey Liverpool (Defence Force) 34.43m. Memphis’ Hezekiel Romeo  took the bronze with 34.32m. Wilson now holds the national Men’s, Junior (under 20), Youth (under 18) records in the event. Wilson also captured the Games Shot Put title with 16.91m with Romeo taking second (15.50) and Liverpool in third (10.21).

Triple Carifta champion Keshorn Walcott whipped the field in the Men’s Javelin event. Walcott threw the ‘iron spear’ out to 68.71m to win ahead Hakim Smith (64.25m) and Petrotrin Palo Seco’s Hamandi Haynes (54.55m). At last month’s Carifta Games Walcott captured gold with a massive throw of 72.04m to better the Carifta record and smash the T&T’s Junior mark for the fifth time for the year. The field events took the spotlight as there was only relay action in the track competition.

RESULTS

M Discus
1    Quincy Wilson    H/Olympians    58.60                (National/Games Record)
2    Rodney Liverpool    TTDF    34.43
3    Hezekiel Romeo    Memphis    34.32
M Javelin
1    Keshorn Walcott    Unattached    68.71
2    Hakim Smith    Unattached    64.25
3    Hamandi Haynes    Petrotrin P/Seco    54.55
W  Javelin
1    Geraldine George    Petrotrin P/Seco    40.50
2    Gwendolyn Smith    Petrotrin P/Seco    34.41
3    Cherisse Murray    Toco TAFAC    32.17
M Shot Put
1    Quincy Wilson    H/Olympians    16.91
2    Hezekiel Romeo    Memphis    15.50
3    Rodney Liverpool    TTDF    10.21
W Shot Put
1    Cherrise Murray    Toco TAFAC    12.42
2    Geraldine George    Petrotrin P/Seco    12.04
3    Shaunna Downey    Burnley    11.28
W High Jump
1    Deandra Daniel    Dovers    1.65
2    Meriah Freeman    D’Abadie Prog.    1.60
M High Jump
1    Dominique Richards    Toco TAFAC    1.85
2    Rodney Liverpool    TTDF    1.80
3    Kevin Roberts    Pt. Fortin New Jets    1.75
M Long Jump
1    Dellon Williams    Neon Trackers    6.92
2    Dwaine Herbert    Dovers    6.82
3    Hakim Smith    Unattached    6.25
W Long Jump
1    Charisse Bacchus    QRC    5.52
2    Seantal Brereton    Warriors    5.06
3    Aeisha Colthrust    Neon Trackers    4.73

Source: www.guardian.co.tt
By Brian Lewis

Things happen on a daily basis that make little or no sense and it is hard at times not to question the reasoning, motives and objectives behind some decisions. What is behind it all? What is the motivation? Is power, control and money behind it all? Those who crave all or either of the three do so in the belief that the barometer for success is in having and controlling the money, power or authority.
In the battle for control of the resources those who are expert at obfuscating the facts and the truth set and control the agenda. They are aided by the tendency of Trinidadians to prefer a dash of paint. Once it looks good we cool with that. We love our nuts already shelled. Give us a day at the beach over a day digging a hole any day.

In such an environment it is not difficult to distract people from the real issues. Control of the decision making process; how the funds are distributed and who gets selected is all that matters. Nowhere is the welfare of the sportsmen and women a priority. There are problems to be solved but getting to first base in respect of finding a solution cannot be achieved in the muddy waters of self-interest and hidden agendas. There is a near total lack of understanding of justice and fairness. A consequence is that our sportsmen and women suffer ill treatment or abuse. The careers of our sportsmen and women are negatively impacted due to informal and inconsistent decision making.

It is important that stakeholders perceive that procedures are fair and that the application of policies are transparent and equitable. What is the principle behind the distribution of available resources?  Are the criteria fair? The importance of suppressing biases and prejudices, and conformity with acceptable standards of ethics and morality is an absolute necessity. Anyone involved in sport with an iota of care and consideration for what really matters would find the reality behind the perception intolerable.
Basic things need urgent attention. Yet still those who are waging a daily battle for the three towers—money, control and power—cannot see past their own self-absorbed noses. Theirs is a very narrow frame of reference.

It matters not to them that young men and women selected to a national team struggle to get time off from their employers to train and participate. It matters not. It matters not that those who get injured have no insurance or cannot get proper treatment at the respective hospitals. It matters not that when they return to Piarco they have no money or means of getting back to their respective homes. It matters not that the cost of a massage, gym fees or doctor visit is $300 on average. It matters not that the cost of equipment is high and a drain on the pockets of most young people involved in sports.  It matters not that twisted ankles and knees are a reality on uneven and poorly maintained fields and facilities.

It matters not that the life of a competitive sportsman or woman is no more than 10-12 years with luck.
It matters not. All that matters is who is in charge and in control of the resources. To what end?
When will we get serious and focus on what really matters? Why the lack of respect for our sportsmen and women and their achievements and needs? It should not be a popularity contest. NSOs and sports administrators must acknowledge that it is not a question of which comes first—the chicken or the egg. Without participants young and old, male and female there will be no sport to administrate. Those who need the resources most are on the outside looking in. Why?

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Sparkle Mc Knight was T&T’s most successful athlete at the 2011 National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships which ended on Saturday at the Gowans Stadium in Kansas, USA. Mc Knight captured three medals, one gold, one silver and one bronze.

The 2010 Carifta double silver medallist first helped her school, South Plains, to victory in the 4x400m relay.
She then returned to take silver in the 4x100m relay as South Plains were narrowly beaten by New Mexico.
The former Carapichaima Secondary student then claimed bronze in the 400m in 53.52, equaling her personal best. Taking the gold was multiple Carifta champion and teammate Natoya Goule (Jamaica) who won in 52.45. Also finishing ahead of Mc Knight was Kanika Beckles (Essex/Grenada) 53.24.

Reyare Thomas was a double medallist for Iowa Central. Thomas was second in the 100m in a wind assisted 11.36 seconds (+3.6). South Plains Jura Levy (Jamaica) won gold in 11.07 with American Tasha Allen (New Mexico) taking third, 11.47. Thomas clocked a new personal best of 23.38 in finishing third in the 200m. Devery Robley helped Butler County to sixth in the men 4x800m in 7:47:19.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Story by: Clayton Clarke

Semoy Hackett, left, on her way to winning the 2011 SEC women’s 100m title on May 15. Hackett clocked 11.01 (wind-assisted). Her LSU team-mate Kimberly Duncan was third in 11.02. Duncan won the 200m ahead of Hackett.

Semoy Hackett was named on Bowerman list by the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Hackett was selected for winning the South Eastern Conference (SEC) Commissioner’s Trophy for her outstanding performance at last weekend’s SEC Championships where she won two gold medals and one silver.

The 22-year-old Louisiana State University (LSU) student captured the 100 metres in a wind aided 11.01 seconds and was part of the school’s victorious 4x100m which won in 43.47 seconds. She was beaten into second in the 200m by school mate Kimberly Duncan, 22.27 to 22.41 (wind-assisted). Hackett is among ten women for the most prestigious individual award in collegiate track and field. Hackett makes her return to the list for the first time since the indoor season earlier this year.

The former Bishop High School, Tobago is the first Lady Tiger since Keisha Spencer in 1999 to win the SEC Commissioner Trophy as the meet’s top point scorer. Jamaican Kimberly Williams (Florida) is the only other Caribbean athlete on the list.  Baptiste will next be in action at the 2011 NCAA East Preliminary Round set for Blommington, Illinois from May 26-28.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

T&T men’s rugby coach, Larry Mendez yesterday described his team’s 17-10 win over Barbados in the Caribbean Championships at the Garrison, Barbados, on Saturday, as important. The defending champions and number one ranked team went into the game with 13 uncapped players. “Both Dale Trotman, assistant coach and myself were in charge of a T&T team for the first time. So getting that first win under our belt was important. It was not achieved in the manner I would have wanted but all things considered I will take it. We are all clear about the extent of the hard work that is required.”

The T&T team returned home last night and will begin preparing today for their crucial game with Guyana at CIC Grounds, on Saturday. Mendez described Guyana as a very physical and fast team. “They play a ball oriented, high tempo game and are a scoring threat from any where on the field,” said Mendez.
The former T&T 7s and 15s international and current Harvard Club head coach said he has a vision and philosophy about how T&T should play the game. “It is early days yet. It will take time to get everyone up to speed and on the same page, but I am confident Dale and myself can build a team and group of players capable of achieving great things including improving our current world ranking of 45. We have the talent and potential but there is room for major improvement in mental focus and concentration, team ethic and ethos.

“The great T&T teams of the past had guys who played for each other. Once they pulled on the red and black it was no longer about club or individual objectives but about country.” Mendez said that having the very experienced team manager and chairman of selectors to turn to for advice and guidance was very beneficial. “At different points in our playing career, both Dale and I would have had Curtis as either team captain or manager. He has tremendous experience and knowledge and is well respected in the rugby fraternity,” added Mendez.

The T&T team will train today from 5pm at the Caribs Ground in the Queen’s Park Savannah. Guyana are five-time Caribbean sevens rugby champions and winners of the first ever Central America and Caribbean(CAC) Games sevens gold medal and number two ranked Caribbean 15 a side.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Defending Caribbean 15-a-side men's rugby champions Trinidad & Tobago will open their 2011 Caribbean 15-a-side rugby Championship campaign versus host Barbados at the Garrison Savannah, Bridgetown.

TTRFU chairman of selectors Curtis Nero said that injuries to starting fly half James Walkin and newcomer Jabari Felix, have ruled the duo out of the Barbados game. Royalians half back Carlton Felix comes in for Walkin, while Miguel Lara replaces Felix (J). Another newcomer to national duty Joseph Quashie is not available and his place has been taken by Wayne Kelly. Although disappointed that the three players have had to be withdrawn, manager Curtis Nero expressed confidence that the replacements will make a positive contribution to the team's efforts.

"Lara, Kelly and Carlton Felix have all played for the T&T senior men's team before and are seasoned campaigners," he said. "I expect them to seize their opportunities. Injuries are part and parcel of the game that is why we have a competitive squad of players in training. I know Jabari (Felix) and Joseph (Quashie) in particular will be disappointed to miss out on making their senior team debut. But they are young, talented players who I expect will rebound from this setback."

T&T squad:

Forwards: Samuel Roberts (Caribs), Jason Joseph (Police), John Hill* (Harvard) Rowell Gordon* (Harvard) Andrew Welch Jnr* (Royalians) Miguel Lara (Caribs) Jamal Clark* (Caribs) Andrew Crooks*(Trinidad Northern) Peter Bacchus (Caribs) Jesse Richards* (UWI), Graeme Alkins (Caribs) Gordon Dalgliesh* (Trinidad Northern) Adam Frederick (Trinidad Northern) Wayne Kellyb (Harvard/UTT)

Backs: Jonathan O'Connor (Trinidad Northern) Justin McLean* (Trinidad Northern) Carlton Felix (Royalians/UTT) Aasan Lewis* (Harvard) Kelson Figaro (Royalians) Don Rojas (Caribs), James Phillip* (Royalians) Kendall Mootoo* (Caribs)

*Uncapped players.

TECHNICAL STAFF:

Team Manager-Curtis Nero

Head Coach-Larry Mendez

Asst Coach-Dale Trotman

Physio-Rajesh Dharrie-Maharaj

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Story by: Asha De Freitas-Moseley

As an athletic trainer, I use as many tools as I can to get the desired effect of healing on damaged tissues as well as to instigate proper movement on the road to full recovery, or in the case of athletes, return to training or competition. Truth be told, particularly in the case of post-surgical and chronic injury management, rehabilitation and muscle conditioning is a process that requires lengthy commitment and discipline by the individual. The purpose of rehabilitation is to facilitate the healing process while simultaneously re-educating particular muscles and/or muscle groups in order to restrict muscle atrophy in the early stages and create a strong foundation for strength training later on. The application of massage, cold, heat, ultrasound, electric stimulation, laser, kinesio tape, zinc oxide tape (the white tape used for ankle taping amongst other things), prescription exercises, flexibility training are all deeply engrained in the practice of physical and athlete therapy. Aquatherapy and hydrotherapy is another such tool and the focus of this week’s column.

The difference between the two (as defined in my world of athletic training) is in the way it is applied. Hydrotherapy is with reference to whirlpools, aquatherapy involves bigger spaces like swimming pools. The benefits of water therapy are vast, and understanding the applications dictates when and how it can be used. Whirlpools refer to a body of water contained in a smaller space that requires the athlete to emerse themselves and allow the water components to affect the tissue. Small movements might be incorporated but this depends on the goals of the therapy. For instance, an acute ankle sprain, swollen as big as a grapefruit, could be suspended in a cold whirlpool and the athlete made to move the toes back and forth. The purpose is to curb inflammation and facilitate circulation. The temperature of the water is a very important factor that must be managed. This is just one very simple example.

In the pool, the same can be done if it isn’t heated, but usually, aquatherapy in this setting has a different purpose, fully utilising the physical properties of water and should be heated. The hydrostatic component of water decompresses and relieves the stress in the joint and by extension, the pain. One very basic rule of therapy: relieve the pain and you increase the movement. The buoyancy of water provides security to individuals who would otherwise be more cautious in their movements due to the fear of falling or overexerting the injured area. Removing that gravitational element displaces the stress that would otherwise be placed on the joint and muscles. Having accomplished this, normal movement patterns can be reintroduced concurrently with improving body awareness. The resistance experienced in water while exercising in a pool or any body of water is directly related to the force exerted against it. Water is several hundred times denser than air and can provide up to twelve times the resistance. The more speed applied in aqua exercise, the more effort that is required to push against it.

The bigger the surface area of the moving part, the greater the required force as this will involve a greater displacement of water, hence the involvement of equipment such as webbed gloves and various floating devices such as noodles and hand buoys which make exercises more challenging. One great way to test strength progress in the pool is to count the number of reps that can be completed in a minute. Provided sound technique is applied throughout the minute, an increased number of reps indicate an increase in muscle strength and function. The body part’s full emersion in the water allows resistance application in all planes of movement. Unlike on land where gravity constantly provides a downward force towards the earth’s surface, further felt with the addition of weight (as is accomplished with dumbbells and machines) or therabands that provides resistance from a fixed point, water completely surrounds the joint creating an environment capable of challenging the agonistic, antagonistic and stabilising muscles of the joint concurrently.

The best part about aqua/pool therapy is the break in monotony to a rehabilitation programme that it brings. Rather than having to be in the clinic, it provides a different setting to the athlete and the clinician, introducing a different sort of challenge physically and a sort of psychological relief. Athletes usually welcome this change and enjoy the aqua session. Athletic trainers and physiotherapists alike apply this medium of rehabilitation. Aside from myself, physiotherapists like my co-columnist, Carla Rauseo at Total Rehabilitation Centre and Lisa Niles at Altus Health Services use this medium of therapy in their physiotherapy practices. Water therapy can assist any kind of client from the osteoarthritic patient to the back pain sufferers to the elite athlete. But whether you are injured or not, aquatherapy is something that anyone can benefit from.

Note: Asha De Freitas-Moseley is a certified athletic trainer. She works with the athletes of Trinidad and Tobago from recreational to elite level at Altus Health Services Ltd. (Port-of-Spain) and Total Rehabilitation Centre Ltd. (El Socorro).

KINGSTON—Usain Bolt’s coach Glen Mills says the sprint star’s preparation for the new season has been going smoothly and warned he was already taking careful aim at this year’s World Championship in South Korea. The record-breaking Jamaican will enter the Daegu showpiece in August a marked man, as he seeks to defend both his 100 and 200 metres titles. Bolt shot to prominence at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he captured both the 100 and 200 metres in record-breaking times.

He returned to Berlin a year later to again dominate, lowering his 100 metres mark to 9.58 seconds and smashing American Michael Johnson’s 13-year-old record in posting a mind-boggling 19.19. Bolt will launch his season at the Rome Diamond League next week and Mills said the 24-year-old’s preparations would be carefully monitored to get him the right stage for the August 27 to September 4 event. “He is scheduled to start in Rome next week. We were a bit behind in our training schedule but it’s a long season,” Mills explained.

“This year is the latest that the World Championship will be held, so we have to strategise our preparations. If you notice most of his serious major competitors have just started running, so it’s not anything out of the ordinary to start at a later point in the season.” Bolt’s showdown with American challenger Tyson Gay is expected to headline the World Championships.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Story by: Andrew Gioannetti

World Champion endurance cyclist, Edwin Avila from Colombia, will be among the top athletes competing in the Petrotrin International Cycling Fest and Palo Seco Games at Skinner Park, San Fernando from 7.30 pm today. The event, under the auspices of the T&T Cycling Federation and Petrotrin will feature a high calibre series of races between top cyclists from the United States including Darren Matthews, Javed Mounter and Michael Blanter as well as other quality regional visitors such as Warren McKay and Alanzo Greaves arriving from Guyana and Marloe Rodman and Tinga Turner from Jamaica.
Avila’s countrymate Manuel Javier Tunjano will also make the trip.

The T&T team coached by Desmond Dickie will consist of Njisane Phillip, Thireef Smart, Rudy Ashton, Haseem McLean and Varun Maharaj. David Baird is the team’s manager while Christopher Sellier is the ever requisite team mechanic. Also on the cards is a track and field competition to be competed by local athletes representing four zones in Trinidad - North West, East, South Central and the Tobago zone.
The schedule will  accommodate professionals, semi-professional and amateurs of all ages, both male and female. The cycling program consists categories of “Tinymites” to “International and Invitational” and “Masters 60”.

The “Flying 200” will start proceedings to be followed by 30 other events. The International and Invitational “Devil take the hindmost” event will conclude proceedings until 1 pm on the following day where the Javelin Throw in the Women’s Open category will pick up.  Chairman of the Organising Committee, George Comissiong has announced that a number of sporting icons will be honoured for their contributions to the Palo Seco Games over the years as part of the 60th Anniversary celebrations. Distribution of prizes will take place throughout the final day, Sunday, in between the events.
The closing ceremony is scheduled for 8 pm on Sunday night.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

England-based Kwandwane Browne will lead a senior men’s hockey training squad in a three-match series against a President’s XI from tonight at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua from 8 pm.
The two other matches are carded for the same venue tomorrow (Friday) at 8.45 pm and Saturday (8 pm) and are being used by the national training squad as part of their preparations for an upcoming tour of the USA and Canada.

In addition to Browne, who returned home from England where he plays for Canterbury Hockey Club, the other regulars named in the training squad include T&T Hockey Board Player of the Year Darren Cowie, Aidan De Gannes, UK-based Alan Henderson, Dwain Quan Chan, Mickel Pierre, Akim Toussaint, Kiel Murray, Atiba Whittington, Christopher Scipio and Marcus James. Pierre is also coming off a second season with Canterbury. The tour to North America serves as part of the T&T squad build-up to the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico scheduled for October, which is a qualifier for the London 2012 Olympics.

CURRENT STANDINGS

T&T training squad: Darren Cowie, Aidan De Gannes, Shaquielle Edwards, Alan Henderson, Dwain Quan Chan, Mickel Pierre , Akim Toussaint, Kiel Murray, Atiba Whittington, Shane Legerton, Chad Pedro, Christopher Scipio, Marcus James, Javon Woodward, Kwan Browne, Jordan Reynos, Tristan Grant, Cogie Butler, Karlos Stephens.

President’s XI: Nicholas Wren, Solomon Eccles, Matthew Tang Nian, Dominic Young, Brian Garcia, Nigel Providence, Kenneth Whiteman, Raphael Govia, Roger Daniel, Betram Duncan, Jerry Bell, Neil Lashley, Jessie Cupid, Colin Bodoo, Ron Alexander (goalkeeper/captain), Gregory Garraway (goalkeeper.
Coach: Kelvin Nancoo.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

By Brian Lewis

In one week, the Peoples Partnership would have been in government for one year. The coalition of parties came into power on a platform of a commitment to transparency and accountability in public life. Their unambiguous advocacy was a political expression that found resonance with the electorate. This political expression gave a voice to an electorate that felt it had been ignored, taken for granted or taken for a ride.
Our institutions of state appeared to deny people the power to hold them to account. One year ago the electorate responded on the basis that the Peoples Partnership would set an example for the rest of the public sector. Presumption of innocence is a legal principle but it is not a principle of political life.

There are many who must now take stock of themselves. Good Governance and its many issues including conflict of interest are easy to talk about from an academic, self-righteous and theoretical perspective.
For some, the thorny issue of conflict of interest is about not getting caught rather than an unwavering commitment to the principles of good governance. It is a huge difference when you are in the hot seat and the issues come close to home. The social and political landscape, not only here in T&T, but around the world has always fought a battle with the issue of conflict of interest. It is also complicated by the understandable need to place your trust in those who you perceive as being trustworthy and loyal. Invariably it is this group of trusted lieutenants who present the greatest threat.

The political drama of the past week is one that should cause the sporting fraternity to pay attention and consider the message and lessons that are most evident. Problems caused by conflict of interest issues can be avoided and or mitigated once there is a clear understanding of the importance of delineation of roles and responsibilities. I agree, simple to state hard to implement. Why? The reality is that T&T is a small island state and therefore how do you deal with the fact that most organisations depend on a small band of loyal supporters. It’s not easy and will never be easy. But the complications are never an excuse. National sport organisations are not private businesses. Public sector organisations are not private organisations. So it is a fact of life that they are all held to a higher standard of behaviour and conduct.

Saying that that is how it was done before is not a credible excuse. Change was made because there were legitimate expectations that individuals capable of rising above narrow political views and ambitions were now running the country and by extension setting the climate for how social, sport and business life is conducted here in T&T. Any fallout from the recent conflict of interest issue should be used as an opportunity for introspection and reflection. “Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.” The saying that comes to mind is: “Mind your business. Fix your house first before you fix your neighbours.” Conflict of interest becomes a major issue when there is a misunderstanding and overlap of roles and responsibilities. Who makes policy? Who implements and executes?

What is the role of NSOs? What is the role of Government? What is the role of the Ministry of Sport? What is the role of the Minister? What is the role of the Permanent Secretary? What is the role of Sport Company? Is there still a role for a Sport Commission? Is the National Sport Policy still relevant? "The Chinese say that crisis is opportunity" or "…in crisis lies opportunity". To ensure that local sport remains above the trap caused by conflict of interest issues, the first step must be to start talking about it.

Brian Lewis is the honorary Secretary General of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee http/www.ttoc.org. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the TTOC.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

In recognition of Allyson Hennessy, well known as one of T&T’s most enthusiastic rugby supporters, black armbands will be worn by all players in the match against Barbados on Sunday. Leslie Figaro, President of the T&T Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) has declared that the defending 15-a-side Caribbean Champions, T&T, will kick off their title defence in honor of Hennessy who was an avid Carib’s RFC supporter. Hennessy succembed to sepsis and septic shock at the age of 63 earlier this month at the St Clair Medical Clinic. Figaro was among the many mourners at Hennessy’s funeral service which was held at the St Finbar’s RC Church, Diego Martin.

Speaking on her legacy, Figaro said, “Allyson touched many lives. She will be dearly missed. She was a dedicated supporter of Carib’s rugby club, local rugby on the whole and the T&T national rugby teams. Anyone involved in rugby here on the island would know that Allyson rarely missed a Caribs or national team game.”
“She always supported the Enthusiasts Sevens and the many fund raising ventures held by the T&TRFU,” Figaro added. Figaro noted that when he was elected to office at the T&TRFU, Hennessy was one of the first to congratulate him and offer words of advice and encouragement.

“Whenever shehad a concern or did not like something, she would have a quiet word with me. Her observations were never negative orprejudiced by her affiliation with Caribs. I respected her passion foe her country and her positive and happy spirit...” Figaro said. A week after the meeting between T&T and Barbados, the Calypso Warriors will also wear the armbands when they go up against rivals, Guyana at the St. Mary’s Grounds, Serpentine Road.

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

Rondel Sorillo sprinted to impressive victory in the men’s 200m at the Ponce Grand Prix at the Franciso Montaner Stadium in Ponce, Puerto Rico on Saturday night. The two-time national champion got to the line in 20.46 seconds to finish ahead of an outstanding field. Sorillo defeated the 2009 World championships silver medallist Alonso Edwards of Panama (20.60) and compatriot Keston Bledman (20.91). The La Brea resident improved his 2011 best time from 20.57. Jamaica’a World championship medallist Marvin Anderson, Antigua and Barbuda’s Pan American Games champion Brendan Christian and Zimbabwe’s Olympic finalist Brian Dzingai all were left in Sorillo’s shadow.

Bledman’s bronze was his second for the evening after he was third in the men’s 100m in a season’s best time of 10.09. The 2005 World Youth bronze medallist edged Sorillo into fourth (10.18). Taking the gold was Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade who crossed the line in 10.05 seconds just ahead of 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin (USA) 10.06. Jehue Gordon and Renny Quow were listed to compete but Gordon did not run in the men’s 400m hurdles neither did Quow in the men’s 400m flat. Afiya Walker copped gold in the women’s 400m at the Mountain West Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Colorado, US Walker (Wyoming) was first to the line in 53.65 to add the outdoor title to the indoor crown she captured earlier in the year and improved on her second place in 2010.

Walker also anchored Wyoming’s 4x400m team to silver in 3:39:69. She missed out on a third medal as her school’s 4x100m squad was fourth (46.32). At the Missouri Valley Championships Scarla Nero (Wichita State) was fifth in the women’s 3000m steeplechase in 10:56:97. At the Sun Belt Conference Championships in Tennessee, Darnel Greig (North Texas) booked a lane in the men’s 400m finals when he clocked the third fastest time of 48.08 in the heats on Saturday. The finals were contested late yesterday. T’Keyah Dumoh (Florida International) and Kendal Bacchus (Middle Tennessee) also advanced to the finals. Dumoy was seventh quickest in the women’s 100m and 200m heats with 11.94 and 24.51 while Bacchus was fifth in the men’s 100m prelims in 10.63 and eighth in the 200m in 21.78. In action at the South Eastern Conference Championships in Georgia, Kentucky’s Kyron Joseph was 17th  in the men’s 100m heats in 10.66.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Cleopatra Borel-Browne notched her second victory in Brazil when she captured the women’s Shot Put at the State Government International Grand Prix in Belem, yesterday. Borel-Brown took the gold with 18.68m which was just short of her season opener of 19.17m which she set in winning in Fortaleza on Wednesday. The two-time Commonwealth Games medallist took the lead on her third throw with 18.65m and them improved to 18.68m in the next round.

She matched her best effort in the fifth round to ensure the victory.  Borel-Browne, who trains and coaches part-time at Morgan State University, finished ahead of Cuban duo of Marlin Vargas (18.46) and Misleydis Gonzalez (18.21) as she did in Fortaleza. Marc Burns copped silver in the men’s 100m silver clocking 10.38 seconds to finish behind Dwain Chambers of Great Britain who powered to the line well ahead in 10.16.
Guyana’s Adam Harris was third in 10.51.

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

Annie Alexander (Tennessee) captured her second gold medal over the weekend when she landed the women’s Shot Put title at the South Eastern Conference Championships in Georgia yesterday. Alexander tossed the iron ball out to 17.50m in the fifth round to secure the title. She took the lead in the fourth round with 16.99m and then improved one round later. Keely Mederios of Florida took silver (16.74) with Kentucky’s Mary Angell  in third (16.31m). On Saturday, she took the discus title to compete her second SEC double triumph. In 2008 she also won both events.

Semoy Hackett (Louisiana State University) won the women’s 100m title in quick 11.01 seconds. Hackett ran a strong second half of the race to run down and eventually pass the early race leader Lakya Brookins (South Carolina) on the line with Brookins in second in 11.02. Hackett’s school mate Kimberly Duncan was third, also in 11.02. Hackett’s time would have been another personal best for 22 year old but the wind reading of +2.4 was over the legal limit of +2.0. In the heats on Saturday, Hackett  ran a personal best of  11.17.

Hackett’s schoolmates Ade Alleyne and Kyron Blaise were also in action. Alleyne-Forte was seventh in the men’s 400m finals in 46.91 behind 18 year old Kirani James of Grenada who won in 44.86 seconds. Blaise was 11th in the triple jump finals in 15.27m. Hackett picked another gold in helping LSU to gold in the women's 4x100m in 43.47. Kai Selvon’s Auburn was third in 44.34. Hackett then took silver in the 200m in 22.41. The time was again wind assisted (+3.4). Taking the title was Duncan who passed Hackett with less than 40m from the finish  to win in 22.27 with Selvon back in sixth in 23.32.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Tonya Nero (Wichita State) defended her 10,000m title at the 2011 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the North Iowa University in Iowa, USA, late on Friday. Nero led from the start along with team-mate Aliphine Tuliamuk and crossed the line in 35:36:99 with Tuliamuk in second in 35:37:05.  Nero came in the race with as the favourite after setting a TT’s record of 33:11:71 at the Stanford Invitational on March 25. She was a late entry after being originally listed to do the 1500m and 5000m events. Her younger sister and school mate Scarla was sixth in 36:08:94.

At the South land Conference Championships in Illinois, Ashlee Smith (Mc Neese) was third in the women’s discus on Friday. Her effort of 47.99m to finish behind Trecey Rew of Northwestern who won with a meet record of 54.89m.  Semoy Hackett (LSU) booked her spot in the finals of the women’s 200m at the South Eastern Conference at the University of Georgia. In the heats on Friday night Hackett was the second fastest in 23.00 (+2.5) in topping heat three and is behind school mate and reigning NCAA indoor 200m champion Kimberlyn Duncan (22.96, +0.5).  Compatriot Kai Selvon (Auburn) made into the top eight clocking 23.49(+2.5) to finish runner up in heat five.

Results-Women’s10,000m Finals

Pos Name School Time

1 Tonya Nero Wichita State 35:36.99  

2 Aliphine Tuliamuk Wichita State 35:37.05  

3 Samantha  Bluske Illinois State 35:52.27  

6 Scarla Nero Wichita State 36:08.94

Source:www.guardian.co.tt

The big crowd at the Western Cape Sport School in Kuilsrivier, South Africa, lifted the roof after a magnificent fightback by the sixth ranked South African netball team in the fourth quarter of their Third Test against T&T saw them prevail by 55-47. It was the third straight win for host who had defeated the world eight ranked “Calypso Girls” 57-38 in the first encounter and 60-52 in the second match. The Proteas finally showed resilience, composure and ability under pressure when it counted most, after a pathetic first-half performance so nearly undid all the hard work from the South African victories in the first two tests. They scored 17 goals in the fourth quarter and conceded only five, proving that they can keep cool heads when the going gets tough.
The South Africans trailed by seven goals at the end of the first half (23-30) and didn’t seem capable of pulling back from there.

T&T dominated them in every department. The Caribbean team easily stole the South Africans’ center throws and though the Proteas defenders had bright moments the visitors rarely struggled to get lost balls. The lack of rhythm and accuracy in the first half prompted the coaching staff to make five changes in the second half. All three positions at the back were altered, with Chrisna Bootha taking over as goalshooter, Claudia Basson moving to goal attack and Maryka Holtzhausen going to wing defence. Bootha initially struggled, but her combination with Basson started gelling towards the end of the third quarter and they made inroads into the deficit. By the end of the third quarter they trailed by only three goals, 39-42, and then came their blitzkrieg in the last quarter. They pulled level within three minutes and took the lead for the first time in the 51st minute of the match.

After this they never looked back and forced T&T into errors. This result means that South Africa still hasn’t lost a match this season, after beating Botswana and Singapore last month and winning all three this week’s games against T&T. On the other hand, it was the sixth straight loss for the Janelle Barker-led T&T squad in under two months, after it was also swept by world fourth ranked Jamaica 3-0 in Kingston. The Reggae Girlz won the opening affair 64-36, 46-34 in the second and 56-26, in the third match. All three teams are preparing for the World Netball Championships carded for July 3 -10 in Singapore. In Singapore, the Calypso netballers open against Wales on July 4. They will also meet Commonwealth Games champion New Zealand and Fiji in Pool B.

The Jamaicans has been drawn in Pool C for the early rounds of the tournament alongside host Singapore, South Africa and Botswana.  Defending champion Australia was drawn in Pool A with Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland and Samoa with England, Malawi, Barbados and Malaysia in Pool D.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

World junior champions Jehue Gordon and Renny Quow head the list of T&T athletes  to compete at the 5th Ponce Grand Prix de Ateltismo at the Franciso Montaner Stadium, in Ponce, Puerto Rico tomorrow.  Gordon will run in the 400 metres hurdles, while Quow will contest the 400m flat event. Sprinters Keston Bledman and Rondell Sorillo will line up in the men’s 100 and 200m dashes.

Gordon will be seeking to improve on his third place finish at last year’s meet when he clocked 48.47. His competition is expected from hometown favourite Javier Culson who clocked a Puerto Rican national record of 47.72 seconds in 2010. In their last clash at the 7th Grand Prix Region in Guadeloupe last Saturday Culson was again the winner in 48.73 with Gordon taking bronze in 50.11. Quarter-miler Quow will be up against the multiple World and Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner of the US.

Bledman will be going for his second win in 2011 after topping the field in the Olympic Development 100m at the Penn Relays on April 30. The 2005 World Youth 100m bronze medallist is currently ranked 22nd (10.20) in the men’s 100m standing while Sorillo is at 25th on the 200m listing with 20.57 seconds.

Source: www.guardian.co.tt

The national netball team gave a far better showing against South Africa in the second match of their international Test series but the “Calypso Girls” still went under, 60-52. This was at the Western Cape Sport School in Kuilsrivier in South Africa on Wednesday night. The win means that the South African team has bagged the three-match series after winning the opening encounter, 57-38 on Tuesday. Both teams are using the series as a warmup for the upcoming World Championship set for July 3-10 in Singapore. Despite the Proteas taking an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series, the T&T unit rated eighth in the world, will be pleased to see some improvement from its previous 19-goal loss against the sixth-ranked team. As in the first Test T&T did not start well, with their impatience and bad communication seeing them trailing 18-11 at the end of the first period. But the wheels started to come off after the break, as the T&T players took full advantage of the South Africans sloppy play.

The usually excellent interplay between the South Africans goal shooters Claudia Basson and Maryka Holtzhausen were also nowhere to be seen, and Basson was under a lot of pressure as both goal defenders covered her, recognising Holtzhausen’s reluctance to shoot goals. Holtzhausen was responsible for only seven of the 60 goals. The Proteas took the halftime break with a lead of 31-22. On the contrary, South Africa won the third quarter by only one goal (14-13) and lost the fourth (15-17).
“We knew T&T would come out stronger in today’s match, after seeing what they were up against in Tuesday’s encounter, and their defence improved a lot,” said assistant coach Reg Sharp. “But our players also beat themselves on a few occasions, by throwing dumb passes and generally not concentrating the way they should.”

Head coach Elize Kotze said the players might have entered the match with too much confidence after their comfortable victory on Tuesday. “That wasn’t intentional, because no team should start a match with the previous results in the back of their minds, but the focus definitely wasn’t on a desired level.” Kotze also expressed dismay at the fact that the team’s greatest weakness was its defence, which is usually their best quality. “They ran straight through us. We’ll definitely have to ask some questions about the reasons for an 11 goal difference in the two winning margins.” The coach did point out that it was tough to play two games in a row, with no real recovery times between two very physical matches, which might explain why they tired so quickly. The third and final match was scheduled to take place yesterday.