All four relay teams get set for London

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

While the numbers have not been what was anticipated in terms of the athletes who have qualified for individual events, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations is still looking forward to a solid team assembled for the IAAF World Relays with all four relay teams expected to compete.

In the BAAA/Aliv National Open Championships at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex over the weekend, there were no additional qualifiers although Shaunae Miller-Uibo and TyNia Gaither both attained the standards in the women's 200m and Steven Gardiner did it in the men's 400 metres.

Those that didn't make, it will have until Sunday, July 23 to book their tickets to the championships, scheduled for August 5-13 in London, England. In an attempt to give athletes their last chance to make it, the Blue Marlin will hold their second annual Track and Field Classic at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex.

Shavez Hart relinquished his men's century title to Warren Fraser, but he bounced back to retain his crown in the 200.

"I wasn't really for the 100, so I had to come back in the 200 to really get my mind into competition mood," Hart said. "Now I'm finally rounding into form and this is the fastest that I've ever been. So I'm pretty excited. I'm just ready to transfer practice into competition."

Teray Smith, coming of his final year at Auburn University, said his performances wasn't what he expected, but he will be ready for World's having qualified for the 200m.

"I'm been training heavy and it's taking its toll on my body," he said. "But I will be ready."

Gaither has also qualified for the women's 200m, but she's not going to rest on her laurels.

"I'm pretty contented with my performances. I still have a lot of work to do, so I'm just looking forward to the future," Gaither said. "This was just my third 100m for the year. I felt pretty good. I was comfortable. I felt I executed very well, but the time wasn't where I wanted it to be.

"In the 200m, I felt really good. Coming back, I had a little mishap with my back, but I felt pretty good."

Gaither said in this her first year on the pro circuit, she's very content with the progress she's making because it's making her stronger.

For Anthonique Stachan, runner-up in the 100m and third in the 200m, the weekend was quite a satisfying one considering how she's just trying to get into tip top shape since she was hampered by a series of injuries.

"It wasn't my best race, but at least I finish strong and healthy, so there's nothing more I could ask for," sh lamented. "The 200m is still my favorite event, but it just sucks that I didn't do as well as I wanted to do. I will go back to Auburn and talk to my coach (Bahamian Henry Rolle) and see where I go from there."

After delighting the crowd with her performance in the 200m, Miller-Uibo spent a lot of time entertaining the crowd by signing autographs and taking photos with the children on hand.

"I love the kids. I remember being at that age and wanting autographs as well, so it's a great feeling to inspire the kids," said Miller-Uibo as she turn her attention on London where she intent to pursue the 200/400m double.

She admitted that it's going to be tough, but with another meet to compete in on July 4 in her second 400m for the season, she's eager to see how things would unfold.

"I'm pretty comfortable with it." said Miller-Uibo about the quest at the World Championships. "My coach just told me to take it easy. but we came out here and put down a pretty good time, so I'm excited about it. I'm hoping to go into London injury free and hopefully put everything together there."

Miller-Ubo said she enjoyed competing in Grand Bahama because the crowd really came out and showed their support. She was even more elated to see Strachan running as well as she did under the circumstances.

"I won't sleep on her. She's coming back strong," Miller-Uibo stressed. "But it;s also good to get to compete with some of the younger athletes. Everyone is coming up strong and so we should put on a good performance in London."

As for the relays at World's, Miller-Uibo said she would definitely like to run a leg in the final if any of the teams qualify because the change in the schedule will work directly in her favor as she get set to add to the Olympic gold that she snatched from American Allyson Felix when she dove across the finish line in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Whoever she line up against, including her training partner Torie Bowie from the United States and Jamaican Olympic double sprint champion Elaine Thompson, Miller-Uibo said she's going to give it her best shot.