HAMILTON, Bermuda, (CMC) – Jamaica and the Bahamas dominated the final session here Saturday night, picking up 13 gold medals between them to cap the opening day of the 41st CARIFTA Games at the National Sport Centre here. The rampant Jamaican picked up seven while the Bahamians nabbed six, including sweeping three of the four 400 metres events run off and both in the girls division.
Jamaica, meanwhile, swept the 1500 metres but were forced to share the marquee 100 metres sprints with the Bahamians.
Cliff Resias stormed to victory in the Under-17 boys sprint, crossing the line in 10.67 seconds, with Jamaican Michael O’Hara (10.68) finishing second and Trinidadian Nicholas Douglas third in 10.69.
Jamaica hit back in the Under-20 boys, however, with Jazeel Murphy clocking 10.31 seconds to lead a Jamaican one-two, with Jevaughn Minzie second in 10.33 seconds.
The title for Murphy saw him repeat as champion after his conquest last year.
Bahamian Shane Jones was third in 10.41 seconds.
Honours were also shared on the girls side as Shauna Helps clocked 11.66 seconds en route to victory in the Under-17s, to go one better than last year’s championships in Jamaica where she finished second.
Nelda Huggins of the British Virgin Islands clocked 11.77 seconds to claim silver while Jamaican Saqukine Cameron was third in 11.90 seconds.
In the Under-20s, Bahamian Anthonique Strachan repeated as champion when she wiped 1600th of a second off her winning time last year in Montego Bay, to easily win the contest.
Her compatriot Carmiesha Cox (11.54) followed her home for silver while Jamaica’s Monique Spencer captured bronze in 11.71 seconds.
On the field, Bahamian Racquel Williams won the girls Under-20 shot putt with a throw of 13.08 seconds to beat Jamaican Gleneve Grange (12.83) into second.