VI adds relay silver to medal haul @ 48th Carifta Games
The relay team of Akrisa Eristee, Kaelyaah Liburd, Ariya Smith and Jahtivya Williams finished behind Jamaica (3:41.00) and just ahead of Trinidad and Tobago (3:44. 91) in the Girls Under 17 400m Relay Final.
The VI team clocked 3:44. 89 at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, Cayman Islands.
First leg runner Eristee, speaking to Dean H. Greenaway aka ‘The Sportsman’ after the race, said she was surprised at the result. “I didn’t expect us to get silver, honestly.”
It was the second silver for Eristee, who took silver in the Under 17 Girls 400m.
Anchor leg Williams said she knew a medal was in sight and relied on her strong finishing to secure the silver. “All that was on my mind was I going home with a medal and it wasn’t going to be bronze,” Williams stated.
History making feats
It was a historic occasion for the Virgin Islands at the 48th Carifta Games as it was the first time medals were won in the 100m and 200m. Jaleel N. J. Croal won both of them- gold in the Under 17 Boys 200m and bronze in the Under 17 Boys 100m.
The other silver for the VI was won by Khybah Dawson in the Under 17 Boys Long Jump.
Bronze medals were won by Beyonce A. DeFreitas, in the Under 20 Girls 200m and Djimon L. Gumbs in the Under 20 Boys Discus.
The VI athletes are expected to return to the Territory tomorrow, April 24, 2019.
Jaleel N. J. Croal, 3rd from left, takes bronze in the Under 17 Boys 100m at the 48th Carifta Games in the Cayman Islands. Photo: BVIAA/Facebook
43rd Carifta Games win for Jamaica
Meanwhile, Jamaica won yet another Carifta Games for the 35th consecutive year, finishing with 85 medals.
The victory means that in the 48-year history of the Games, the country has topped the medal table 43 times and its last defeat was in 1984 when The Bahamas won at home.
The Jamaican’s came away with 36 gold, 33 silver, and 16 bronze.
Jamaica’s 85 medals were 59 more than closest rival The Bahamas, which finished second with nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze for 26 medals.
Trinidad and Tobago finished third with 24 medals comprising five gold, seven silver, and 12 bronze.
The CARIFTA Games is an annual athletics competition founded by the Caribbean Free Trade Association. The games was first held in 1972 and consists of track and field events including sprint races, hurdles, middle distance track events, jumping and throwing events, and relays.
The Games has two age categories: under-17 (under-18 until 2017) and under-20. Only countries associated with CARIFTA may compete in the competition.
The 2020 Carifta Games will be hosted by Bermuda.
See final 48th Carifta Games medal table below:
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