THE opening day of the third annual Guyana Overseas-Based Sports Association (GOBSA)-organised Independence Track and Field Meet saw a packed programme, with several of the usual suspects medalling in front of a small crowd, which included Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr George Norton, and National Sports Commission (NSC) Director of Sport Christopher Jones.

In the Girls’ 14-17 100m event, Brianna Charles prevailed over Tiffauna Garnett clocking 12.10s. Garnett settled for silver with 12.23s while Hanna Reid copped bronze in 12.40s.

A mainstay for podium spots in the Girls’ 18-19 100m dash, Tonya Rawlins did not disappoint taking first place in 12.61s while Tandika Haynes was second with 13.39s.

Meanwhile, Deshana Skeete retained her 400m title in the Girls’ 14-17 category by winning comfortably in a time of 57.54s ahead of second-placed Kelize Smith (58.10s) and third-placed Adriel Austin (59.92s).

In the middle distance events, Kissana Glen copped gold in the Girls’ 14-17 1500m, crossing the finish line in 5 mins 10.47s, ahead of Aliyah Moore (5 mins 16.14s) and Shaquka Tyrell (5 mins 17.28s).

Leyanna Charles took the same event in the Girls’ 18-19 category, fending off a challenge from Tabitha Bowman. Charles took gold in 5 mins 13.12 secs while Bowman got silver for her 5 mins 16.54 secs.

In the Men’s Open 100m event, Daniel Williams stumbled twice but still managed to finish fourth, Akeem Stewart from the GDF club took first place in 10.48s while Kevin Abbensetts was second (10.52s) and Davin Fraser third in 10.56s.

Meanwhile Tyrell Peters copped the Boys’ 18-19 100m dash fending off Titus Webster and Jonathon Fraser who had to settle for second and third respectively. Peters’ winning time was 10.77s while Webster clocked 10.87s and Fraser 11.78s.

Murphy Nash was a notch above his peers in the Boys’ 14-17 1500m race winning in a pacey time of 4 mins 16.45 secs. His nearest competitor was Super Upcoming Runners’ Cordel Charles who took silver in 4 mins 22.77 secs while Joel Williams (also of Super Upcoming Runners) settled for bronze with 4 mins 27.95 secs.

Action will continue today from 10:00hrs at the same venue with the highly anticipated 200m events along with the relays and field events.