A 21-MEMBER squad has departed Guyana’s shores for the Cayman Islands where the athletes will compete at the CARIFTA Games from Saturday to Monday (April 20-22) for top honours and medals.

The athletes, who are accompanied by three coaches, left Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at approximately 05:45hrs today, with a stopover in Miami before heading to the Cayman Islands.

Just a few days ago, there were two changes to the original list as 100m sprinter Osrick Pellew picked up an injury in training and was replaced by Wesley Tyndall while middle distance athlete Sheama Tyrell made the final list as well.

Meanwhile, AAG president Aubrey Hutson is optimistic of the team’s chances; “We are looking for many medals, I am hoping that one of these athletes can set a new record. We have an athlete in the javelin throw, Anisha Gibbons, and we are hoping that she can set a new CARIFTA record. I wish them a safe journey and hope they do their best.”

The coaches who accompanied the contingent were Julian Edmonds and Raymond Daw while coach Moses Pantlitz has funded his own trip to accompany his athletes.

The locally based athletes qualified for the games after three separate weekends of high-quality competition, while an additional three overseas-based athletes also secured qualification standards for the Games.

Among the locally based female athletes who have qualified for the Games is young sprinter Deshana Skeete who qualified in the 200m event while jumper Princess Browne (triple jump) and middle distance star Shaquka Tyrell (800m, 1500m) also met AAG’s qualifying standards.

The Cayman Islands will host the 48th edition of the premier Regional track and field event. This will be the third time, after doing so for the first time in 1995 then more recently in 2010. The Games will run from April 20 to April 22.

Below is the full list of Guyanese athletes:

Locally based athletes
Females
Sheama Tyrell – Christianburg/Wismar SS (middle distance)
Brianna Charles – Running Brave (100m)
Deshana Skeete – Christianburg/Wismar SS (200m)
Keliza Smith – Running Brave (400m)
Adriel Austin – Running Brave (800m)
Shaquka Tyrell – Christianburg/Wismar SS (800m, 1500m)
Princess Browne – Running Brave (triple jump)
Jahaziah Copeland – Upper Dem (shot put)
Anisha Gibbons – Ruralites (javelin)

Males
Wesley Tyndall – Ruralite (100m)
Loneil Marks – Hopetown Flames (100, 200m)
Osa Blair – Police (100m)
Daniel Williams – Upper Demerara (200m)
Cordell Charles – Super Upcoming Runners (1500m)
Daniel Melville – Police (800m)
Matthew Gordon – Hopetown Flames (3000m)
Melon Lowenfield – GDF (high jump)
Tremaine Browne – Christianburg/Wismar SS (long jump)
Overseas-based athletes
Claudrice McKoy (800m, 1500m)
Chantoba Bright (long jump, triple jump)
Joanna Archer (800m, 3000m)