The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) got its 2023 National Track and Field Championships underway with some competitive races and an appearance from Shaunae Miller-Uibo, at the original Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Wednesday.

Miller-Uibo, known for the 400 meters (m) and the 200m, was in action in the heptathlon, as she made her return after giving birth just over three months ago - a remarkable feat. The three-time Olympian was in the heptathlon against Shaunece Miller, her youngest sister. At the end of the first day, Miller-Uibo had the lead over her sister with a score of 3,116 points. Miller had 2,724 points.

They did the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and the 200m on the first day. The two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 400m had a personal best in the shot put event, with a throw of 11.83m (38' 9-3/4"), while Miller posted 7.69m (25' 2-3/4"). Yesterday the sisters competed in the remaining three events - the long jump, javelin and the 800m.

Also in action on the first day was Steven Gardiner, the national record holder in the 400m. He was in heat one of the 400m semi-final and easily advanced to the final by winning the heat in 45.95 seconds. Wendell Miller was second in that heat with a time of 47.69 seconds to advance to finals. In the second semi-final, Alonzo Russell won in a time of 46.34 seconds to qualify for the final. Kinard Rolle was second and also qualified for the final after posting 48.09 seconds.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) reigning indoor 60m champion Terrence Jones powered his way to a 10.15 seconds victory in the men's 100m dash.

"I feel happy about the race,"Jones said. "It is always good to come home and win in front of the home crowd and home track. I wasn't worrying much about competitors, but worried about me versus the whole race, because I can get myself in my head and mess up my race plan. It is a blessing to always come home and compete."

Samson Colebrooke finished second when he crossed the finish line in a season's best time of 10.24 seconds. Joel Johnson placed third in a season's best time of 10.37 seconds.

Anthonique Strachan won the women's 100m race, crossing the finish line in 11.13 seconds after pulling away in the final 20 meters of the race.

"I was never known to be the best starter, so when I get bad starts it does not shake me. I am trying to stay calm under any circumstances. My season has been good so far and I am excited with the direction that it is going in. It is always exciting to be home running," Strachan said.

Camille Rutherford was second after clocking 11.40 seconds. Denisha Cartwright was third with a time of 11.54 seconds.

One of the hottest races of the first day came in the boys under-20 100m dash. The meet saw some big names in Adam Musgrove, Carlos Brown Jr., Jeremiah Adderley and Zion Campbell and saw four personal best times posted.

In the end, it was Musgrove who separated himself from the pack and clocked a new junior national record in that event, with a personal best time of 10.30 seconds. He broke Johnson's five-year national junior record of 10.31 seconds.

"It has been a long season," said an emotional Musgrove after the win. "I felt that this was my best race as it relates to reaching my full potential, so I am extremely happy with it. People doubted me and counted me out, saying this and that person supposed to beat me. Action speaks louder than words. I am happy with the win."

Brown was second with a personal best 10.37 seconds. Zion Campbell was third after clocking 10.41 seconds.

The under-18 girls 100m was a hot race, as it featured three of the top junior sprinters in the country in Jamiah Nabbie, Shatalya Dorsett and Shayann Demeritte. It was Dorsett who won the wind-aided race when she stopped the clock at 10.63 seconds. She finished ahead of Nabbie, who ran a time of 11.63 seconds. Demeritte had to settle for second, with a time of 12.10 seconds.

"I did not get a good start throughout the heats and I had to get a good start in the finals. My coach told me to keep my composure throughout my race and just run my race," Dorsett said.

The national senior and junior record holder in the men's javelin throw, Keyshawn Strachan was in his third competition for the season after dealing with an elbow injury since mid-April. He was the only Bahamian in that event as he went up against Estonian Maicel Uibo. Strachan posted a distance of 68.74m (225' 6-1/4") on his first throw as he scratched the other five attempts. Uibo posted 47.10m (154' 6-1/4").

Raywind Winder put on a show in the under-18 boys 1500m race, running to a personal best 4:12.55 to win that race. Ross Martin was second in 4:21.51, while Emmanuel Adam was third in 4:44.32.

"It was a painful race, but I put my faith in God and trust my coaches and listened to them on the sideline. I was waiting for this time for so long, I had a couple of injuries and ran through some of them, and I was able to run this personal best," Winder said.

Competition wraps up today with the long jump, 200m, 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles and the women's javelin, before the 4x100m final and 4x400m final occurs.

The post BAAA nationals underway appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

The post BAAA nationals underway appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

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