BY TENAJH SWEETING

Tribune Sports Reporter

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The second edition of the SPIA MIle Challenge brought out some swift performances on Saturday at the University of The Bahamas campus. The one-day event featured up to 300 male and female competitors across the under-7, under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15, under-17, under-20 and open divisions.

Rashad Patton, event organiser and track and field coach, was pleased with the level of competition displayed at the meet over the weekend.

“The competition was actually pretty good. I didn’t expect the level of competition because last year the competition was alright with more quantity but this year it had more quality and the meet was fantastic and way better,” he said. 

Akaree Roberts, who attends Queen’s College, had a strong showing in the girls’ under-20 event. She paced all competitors with a winning time of 6:20.61. The second place finisher was Krista Ford in 6:47.60. Third place went to Deja Major in 7:15.35. 

The under-20 boys’ victory went to Benrico Pierre. He won the event in 4:56.62. Kyden Thurston came in shortly after in 4:57.75. Ross Martin rounded out the top three with his time of 5:05.27.

Ramonique Mclennon was the top performer in the under-17 girls’ age group. She secured the win with a time of 6:38.43. Breynice Kemp crossed the finish line in second place with a time of 6:41.39. Layla Duncombe was third overall in 6:41.74. 

Gabriel Johnson triumphed in the under-17 boys’ division with a time of 5:11.99. Placing second was Jason Ferguson in 5:20.02. Donald Bain Jr got the third position in 5:24.24.

Cordel Munroe had the fastest time in the under-15 boys’ event. He led the field of competitors to cross the finish line in 5:26.64. Queai Frith trailed for second in 5:32.08. Ayden Russell was just a few steps behind, posting a time of 5:34.38.

Victoria Aguilar nabbed the win in the girls’ age group in  6:35.13.  Tia Thompson settled for second in a time of 6:57.08. Raynik Neilly got the third-place finish in 7:03.26.

L’Quon Sands finished the under-13 boys’ event way before his competitors with a time of 6:02.86. The second podium spot went to Kaiden Taylor, who stopped the clock at 6:09.17. Nipsey Jones got the bronze medal spot in 6:24.69.

Ariel Thompson ran away with the victory in the under-13 girls’ category. She placed first in 6:32.42. Elexia Strachan came in a few seconds behind at 6:40.92 for second. Third place belonged to Kari Goffee, who posted a time of 6:55.97.

Patton said last weekend’s SPIA Mile Challenge provides a good measuring stick for coaches that want to see where their athletes are before the start of the upcoming track and field season.

“The whole idea of the mile is endurance based. You can see where your athletes are at this time. In November, some people are in specific/pre-competition, meaning that they are getting ready for the season and the meets that are coming ahead. Specific competition is almost the same thing but now you are out of the general preparation phase and now you are starting to break up sprinters and 400m runners for individualized training. It also helps with speed and strength coming home,” he said.

Overall, he added that Saturday was a successful second hosting of the meet and coaches were pleased with the performances and times produced by the athletes.