Final CARIFTA Games team to surface this weekend

Mar 29, 2014 Sports

-Nine reportedly shortlisted; Monday is submission deadline

By Edison Jefford
The final CARIFTA Games team is likely to surface this weekend ahead of the deadline for final submissions on Monday for the Games that will be held in Martinique, April 19-21. The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) did not officially release a shortlist.
However, Kaieteur Sport understands from reliable sources that around nine athletes are likely to be considered for the final team. The association is scheduled to meet today to ratify the names it had discussed for selection, following last

Jevina Sampson

weekend’s trials.
Among those leading the primary candidates for the team are sprint ace, Kevin Abbensetts, who ran a blistering 10.4 seconds to win the Under-20 Boys 100m last weekend. Abbensetts also won the 200m, putting his name up for selection with another impressive time.
Double CARIFTA Games medallist from last year, distance sensation, Cassey George was also classical in her display at the AAG trials. She will most likely be named to compete in the U-18 Girls’ 800m and 1500m race at the 2014 Games.
Bronze medallist from last year, Jason Yaw should also be back on the team in the U-18 category after winning both the 200m and 400m last weekend, also with good times. Yaw will be selected this weekend when the AAG meet to consider its final team.
World Youth silver and CARIFTA bronze medallist, United States-based, Kadecia Baird is also on the radar for selection to compete in the 400m U-20 race. The fifth athlete, who seems certain, is Jevina Sampson to compete in the U-18 200m and 400m races.
Sampson has been kept off of CARIFTA Games teams in the past owed to injuries, but it seems as though the young phenom will finally have her chance at regional recognition after indicating that she is clearly back at her best with a sprint double last weekend.

Kadecia Baird

Apart from those five athletes, the association have reportedly requested medical clearances for two other athletes, including 2013 200m bronze medallist, Tirana Mitchell and Avon Samuels, a decision that will place more than one representative in the U-18 sprint events.
In addition, Natricia Hooper, the talented athlete, who competes in 200m, 400m and field events from time to time, is also among those being considered as well as long and triple jump winner, Kade Pearce. Those athletes complete a list of nine being considered, with the selection of five of them more certain than the others.