Wherever the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) national meet is staged, thrills and excitement can be expected in abundance.
According to a BAAA source, the event is to be held in New Providence at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium, which, is to be refurbished in time for the June 22-23 weekend. The funds to do the 'quick' job will soar into the neighborhood of $50,000. There is still though, the option of Grand Bahama. Certainly, the new Minister of Grand Bahama, Dr. Michael Darville, would like very much to have such an event organized for that island. The flagging economy in Grand Bahama could surely use the boost.
Whatever the case though, the 2012 nationals will likely provide sensational performances like never seen before. A delightful development is the return to form of Derrick Atkins. The former World Championships silver medalist has lowered his time in the 100 meters this season from 10.24 to 10.09. On Saturday past, he recorded the 10.09 clocking while winning his specialty at the Star Athletics Meet in Florida.
A week earlier, Warren Fraser ran 10.18 at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Championships. Fraser joined an elite group when he hit the 10.18 mark. Rudy Levarity, Renward Wells and Andrew Tynes were the joint national record holders before Atkins ran 10.08 to eclipse the mark. Now, Fraser is among the five Bahamian athletes who have done 10.18 (with Atkins being the only one to run better).
Atkins' national mark is 9.91. Fraser has emerged as the first to (potentially) challenge Atkins for national supremacy. It will be exciting to see them line up for the final in the 100 meters at the nationals. Atkins has to be favored, but if he falters for the slightest moment, he could very well be upstaged. Then, there is the annual rivalry in the 400 meters. Four athletes could win the race, inclusive of veteran Chris Brown, defending National Champion Demetrius Pinder, Ramon Miller and Michael Mathieu.
Over on the women's side, there is a chance that for the first time in a very long time, none of the Original Golden Girls will end up champions in the short sprints. If national record holder (10.84) Chandra Sturrup competes, Anthonique Strachan or Sheniqua Ferguson could win the 100 meters. The other Original Golden Girl Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie could lose as well.
Ferguson-McKenzie's best race is the 200 meters. One of the young guns could reign supreme in that event. On the field, former World Champion (2007) Donald Thomas and Trevor Barry will clash in the high jump. Barry has burst out of Thomas' shadow in a big way and will be favored by many. The excitement will no doubt spill over into other events, but the aforementioned will certainly provide the bulk of the thrills and excitement.
Wherever the BAAA nationals are held, that will be the place to be June 22-23.
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)
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