Tobago held on to the National Secondary Schools Track and Field zonal title for the 25th straight year at the conclusion of this year's championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo earlier today (Thursday 16 April).
After two days of action Tobago collected 93 medals (31 gold, 30 silver, 32 bronze) to continue their unbeaten run with Port-of-Spain (POS) in second, narrowly ahead of North East. Both teams ended with 63 medals but POS finished in the runners' up spot with 29 gold, 17 silver and 17 bronze. North East collected 21 gold, 23 silver and 19 bronze.
Leading the way for Tobago was Anya Akili who was a triple champion taking the girls under 18 400m hurdles (1:06.06) and the high jump ( 1.50m) to add to her triumph in the 100m hurdles (15.45) on the first day of action. Carifta champion and record holder Tyriq Horsford was among six double champions for the Tobagonians.
Horsford won the boys under discus (49.74) and javelin (66.04). Carifta silver medallist Asha James collected the G U 18 discus (24.40) and javelin (43.40) Zakiya Denoon sped to victories in the girls over 18 100m (12.10) and 200m (24.54). Ayla Stanislclaus completed the G U16 100/200 double with times of 12.10 and 24.82 respectively. Anson Moses took home the B U16 10m hurdles (15.95) and high jump (1.70) top spots. Safiya John won the G U16 80m hurdles (12.87) and high jump (1.55) and was going for third gold in the long jump but fouled all her attempts.
| Jeminise Parris of Port-of-Spain passes the baton to anchor leg Thyla-Marie Scott in the girls over 18 4x100m on the second day of the T&T National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on April 16. |
Tobago entered the second and final day ahead of 52 medals (21, 14, 17) but the POS and North East competitors were reaping more gold medals than the champions. The Tobago competitors won 10 titles while POS claimed 18 crowns and North East 13. However, Tobago was able to main its lead and claimed an unprecedented 25th straight crown. POS was the last zone to beat Tobago doing so in 1992
Ashton Gill led the charge for POS with a triple gold performance taking the boys over 18 800m (1:59.00), 1500m (4:13.89) and the 400m hurdles (57.70). Shaquille Singuineau (BO18 shot putt-15.02/discus-41.47), Jaden St. Louis ( B U18 400m-49.80/800m-2:03.32) and Kobe Job (B U18 110mH-12.87 / 400H-55.72) were double champS for the second placed team. Port-of-Spain sprinters showed their class in the relays capturing six of the eight 4×100 races and five of the six 4×400's.
Avindale Smith was the top performer of the meet winning four gold medals in the boys under 14 division.
The North East competitor beat the field in the 100m (11.68), 200m (24.40), long jump (5.52) and high jump (1.62). Aaliyah Mitchell (G U 16 800m-2:32.72/1500m-5:50.43) were double gold medallists for North East. Shkyla Walcott won two of Caronis's seven gold medals taking the G U 100m (12.37) and 200m (25.15). Patrice Richards won all three of Caroni titles securing the G U 14 100m (12.70), 200m (26.02) and long jump (4.46).
Final medal medal standings: 1st Tobago 93(31, 30, 32); 2nd POS 63(29, 17, 17); 3rd North East 63(21, 23, 19); 4th Victoria 22(7, 5, 10); 5th St. George East 17(4, 10, 3); 6th St. Patrick (20(3, 10, 7); 7th South East 8(3, 3, 3); 8th Caroni 12(3, 2, 7)
Final points standings: 1st Tobago 1004.50, 2nd POS 831, 3rd North East 764, 4th St. Patrick 364, 5th Victoria 326, 6th St. George East 291.50, 7th Caroni 166, 8th South East 154.
This year's championships were sponsored by the Ministries of Education and Sports and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago. The two day meet attracted over 400 students from schools across the country and is organised the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Track and Field Association.
