WITH a number of commanding wins on the track from Kevin Abbensetts, Jason Yaw, Jevina Sampson, and Cassey George, the Guyana team had an easy time taking the lead when the first day in the track and field segment of the Inter-Guiana Games ended at the Guyana Defence Force Ground, Camp Ayanganna yesterday. 

With 200 points Team Guyana finished day one with 20 medals, which included 11 gold, and will enter today’s competition with a 36-point lead over trailing contender Suriname. Wins from Kade Pearce, and Natircia Hooper also saw Guyana dominate in the field events as well.
CAC Juniors bronze medallist Jason Yaw defended his title in the Boys’ 400m in a time of 49.6s. The next two spots in the race were taken by Surinamese Uracio Seedrop and Miguel Shepper. Guyana’s Quacy Simpson who was also set to contest the race found himself ousted after a false start.
The most exciting event of the day was undoubtedly the Boys’ 100m dash, where defending champion Guyana’s Kevin Abbensetts faced fierce competition but managed to defend his title.
Abbensetts, also the defending champion of the Boys’ 200m sprint, went head-to-head with his compatriot Tevin Garraway and Suriname’s Romario Pana as he fought to retain his title in the 100m event. In a thrilling photo finish Abbensetts clocked 10.5 seconds, just edging out Pansa’s 10.6 seconds to second place, and leaving Garraway to collect third on his 10.7 seconds timing.
Abbensetts is set to return today in the 200m, no doubt looking to bring his A-game once again and defend his title. Guyana also took the Girls’ 100m after Shoquane Daniels finished in the top spot.
Another head-to-head battle played out in the Girls’ 400m where defending champion Guyana’s Jevina Sampson faced off against her compatriot Avon Samuels. Sampson managed to hold Samuels at bay, relegating her to second place as she defended her title.
Guyana also took top honours in the male and female 1500m for another consecutive year. Ornesto Thomas defended his title in the Boys’ 1500m, while three-time CARIFTA Games gold medallist Cassey George collected the title vacated by Guyana’s Jevina Straker. George had finished second to Straker in the event last year.
Hooper won the Girls triple jump and high jump, while Pearce struck gold in the Boys’ high jump. Guyana’s Clarence Green won third in the Boys’ triple jump which was won by Suriname’s Dave Pika. Guyana also championed the Boys’ and Girls’ 4x100m relays.
Competition in the track and field division of will end today at the same venue.

(By Tamica Garnett)