Sprint doubles by Kenisha Phillips, and Linden’s Compton Ceasar accompanied by double wins by distance athletes Cassey George, and Andrea Foster were among the highlights of the day when the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) held its National Youth and Juniors Championships last Saturday at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. With arch-enemy Andrea Foster competing in the 18 – 19 category, CARIFTA Games gold medalist George optimized on the opportunity to rule in the girls’ 14 – 17 distance races where she championed the 800m and 1500m runs. George took the 800m in 2:20.10s, while in the 1500m she clocked 4:52.80s. Second place for the 1500m went to Running Brave’s Claudrice McKoy who clocked 5:02.10s.
Foster, who had ruled over an injured George weeks earlier at the National Senior Championships, was off dominating in the girls’ 18 – 19 category, where a 2:12.30s finish in the 800m gave her a gapping lead ahead of Christianburg’s Shontel Hinds. In the 1500m, Foster took another commanding win, this time clocking 4:57.60s this time coming in almost one minute ahead of Hinds who clocked 2:34.00s.
Over in the sprints, up and coming sprint ace Kenisha Phillips championed the 100m earlier in the day in a time of 11.70 seconds, settling Mercury’s Cassie Small to second place. The De Challengers athlete returned to take the 200m taking another win over Running Brave’s Avon Samuels.
Samuel’s clubmate Natricia Hooper took third in the race after clocking 24.80s. Hooper would have her moment to shine in the 400m where her 56.40s saw her also out mastering Samuels.
National Senior Championships 100m winner Aniqah Powley took the 100m in the 18 – 19 category. The Guyana Defence Force athlete dashed to 11.90 seconds to claim the win over Running Brave’s Shoquane Daniels. The 200m 18 – 19 category went to: Christianburg’s Compton Ceasar who led in the 14 – 17 100m and 200, while Police’s Arinze Chance also copped a double win in the 18 – 19 200m and 400m races.It was 10.80 seconds in 100m and 21.80 seconds in the 200m for Ceasar. Meanwhile, Chance ran to 21.60 in the 200m to settle boys’ 100m winner Linton Mentis to second place, and covered the 400m in 49.40 seconds. GDF’s Ornesto Thomas claimed the 18-19 800m in 1:55.70s, and Running Brave’s Matthew McKenzie won the 14-17 1500m in 4:20.50s.