TT athletes aim to shine in Mexico

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s 26-member contingent will be eyeing a sizeable medal haul as the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Track and Field Championships begin tomorrow in Vera Cruz, Mexico. Leading the gold medal quest for Trinidad and Tobago are national junior and senior 200-metre champ Marcus Duncan, national junior 100-200m sprint princess Kelly-Ann Baptiste, CARIFTA Games 200m silver medallist Wanda Hutson as well as CARIFTA champs Pilar McShine, Rhonda Watkins and Simeon Bovell.

Duncan has emerged as the leading junior sprinter on the local circuit, as he clocked a sizzling 10.18 seconds in the 100m as he copped gold at the National Juniors as well as 20.91 seconds on his way to victory in the 200m at the National Seniors last weekend. Like Duncan, the pair of Baptiste and Hutson, who have featured prominently at both the junior and senior levels, are tipped for top honours at both sprint distances. McShine has been in dominant form of late in both the 1,500 and 3,000 metres and there is little doubt that she will excel in both events at Mexico while Bovell will fancy his chances in the 800 metres.

TT TEAM — Marcus Duncan, Sheldon Daire, Jamil James, Renny Quow, Simeon Bovell, Deverne Charles, Damon Douglas (boys Under-20); Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Wanda Hutson, Abigail David, Pilar McShine, Rhonda Watkins, Annie Alexander, Cuquie Melville, Monique Cabral, Jurlene Francis (girls Under-20); Don Dillon, Kevin Morgan, Jamaal James, Kellon Marshall, Kerron Browne (boys Under-17); Semoy Hackett, Jurnelle Francis, Britney St Louis, Shade St Louis, Venice Fredericks (girls Under-17); Gerard Franklyn, Paul Voisin, Joyce Thomas (coaches); Peter Samuel (manager).