By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama — The inaugural Island Relays for visiting college teams over the weekend at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex gave some of the local athletes a chance to improve on their performances before they come to New Providence for the National High Schools Championships and final CARIFTA Trials this weekend.

Tervon Clarke, the 16-year-old 10th grader at Eight Mile Rock High, was the winner of the boys’ 100 metres in 11.43 seconds, holding off Michael Riley, who did 11.44 for second, while Aiden Kelly was third in 11.65. Clarke said he just wanted to gauge himself going into the Nationals and CARIFTA Trials.

“I just want to do my best and hopefully I can make the CARIFTA team,” Clarke said. “I know the competition will be stiff, but I’m looking forward to competing in it.”

Shatalya Dorsett, in winning the girls’ 100m in 12.57, also showed that she’s ready for the dual meet and a chance to secure another berth on the CARIFTA team. She took the title over Phebe Thompson, who did 13.05, followed by Kianna Henchell in 13.27.

“It was a good opportunity for me to showcase my talent in front of my home crowd,” said Dorsett, a 16-year-old 12th grader at Sunland Baptist School.

“I feel confident that I will qualify again and make the CARIFTA team. I’m in good shape and I don’t have any injuries.”

Akerman Bowleg said he got some valuable advice from one of the collegiate athletes and it helped him as he went on and won the boys’ 400 metres in 49.79 seconds over Javano Bridgewater, who did 50.03, followed by Jayden McGregor in 50.77.

“Instead of me just going there and running, I decided to take her advice and to go out there and see how it works,” said Bowleg, a 17-year-old 12th grader at St George’s High.

As he prepares to make the trek to New Providence this weekend, Bowleg said he just wants to do his best and see how well he can perform as he competes in both the 200 and 400m.

Bishop Michael Eldon’s seventh grader Thomas, just 13 years old, said it was fun running against the older competitors.

“I’m just glad that I came out injury free,” Thomas said.

“I am coming for the Nationals, but at my age, I don’t think I would be able to make the CARIFTA team. But if I do, all thanks be to God for making it possible.”

Treasure Burrows was the winner of the girls’ 800m in 2:22.99 over Erin Barr, who trailed the entire race for second in 2:36.25.

Zion Musgrove was third in 2:30.52. “I listened to my coach and I ran a strong first lap. On my second lap, I made a move coming through the last two hundred metres to get the win,” she said. “I felt very good. I am looking forward to competing in the Nationals. Hopefully I can run a PR and qualify for CARIFTA. I hope that me and Barr can make it. It would be good to have two competitors from Grand Bahama in the event.”

Swift Athletics’ Kenzie Knowles is a little too late for CARIFTA at 19, but he was just delighted to get the opportunity to compete in the meet. He won the boys’ 800m in 2:02.71.

“It’s a blessing competing in this event. I tried to push myself in every event and try to run my PR (personal best) because I really want to go off to college,” said Knowles, a recent graduate of St John’s College.

“It was a good race. I enjoyed it.”