in Nassau
Debutante Akila Harewood led three Barbadian sprint hurdlers in qualifying for Monday evening’s finals after a successful outing in their semi-final heats this morning in the 50th CARIFTA Games at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium here in the Bahamas.
Harewood secured her berth when she finished second in the first of two Under-17 girls’ 100-metre hurdles heats in a personal best time of 14.31 seconds to Jamaican Bryana Davidson (13.68).
Jadon Pearce and Nikkolai Kennedy also advanced to the final of the Under-20 boys’ 110-metre hurdles after finishing third in their respective heats.
Pearce clocked 14.41 seconds in a heat won by Jamaican Demario Prince (13.78) while Kennedy was timed at 14.29 seconds, behind another Jamaican Shaquane Gordon (13.72) and Bahamian Otto Laing (13.89).
It will be a straight final in the Under-20 girls’ 100-metre hurdles later Monday with Barbados pinning their hopes of medalling on last year’s bronze medallist Nya Browne and newcomer, Maliah Edwards.
Barbados will be looking to boost their medal count of two gold and two silver in the final session as golden girls Ashlyn Simmons and Layla Haynes will contest the Under-17 and Under-20 Girls’ 800 metres final, respectively. Also in the Under-17 girls’ final is 14-year-old Chanecia Bryan as well as Favian Gollop in the Under-20 boys’ final.
Fynn Armstrong, who has moved up to the Under-20 boys’ age group, will also be in action in the 5 000 metres, as well as 200 finalists, Aniya Nurse (Under-17 girls), Khristel Martindale (Under-20 girls), Aragorn Straker and Amani Mascoll-Beckles (Under-20 boys).
The Under-17 girls will also be running in the 4×400-metre relay final.