Throwers experience action over the weekend

There aren’t any track meets in New Providence until later this month, but throwers were back in action at the Blue Chip Athletics Throwers Meet at the field across from the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium on Saturday.

Although there were no new qualifiers for the 2021 CARIFTA Track and Field Championships, Kaden Cartwright and Carnitra Mackey again met the mark in the under-17 boys javelin and under-17 girls javelin events respectively. CARIFTA has been postponed from April to early July.

Blue Chip Athletics Head Coach Corrington Maycock said his athletes are in the weight room and they are where they need to be performance-wise.

“Everyone performed the way they should based on the workload they had in the weight room and the amount of throws they had over the week. We are basically on load, meaning that we are preparing them for a better performance later for when it counts. We had a few personal bests which I did not expect but I will take it as it comes. I am looking for good performances in the months to come,” Maycock said.

Winning the under-17 boys javelin was Cartwright with a throw of 51.79 meters (m) – 169’ 11” – a throw he made on his first attempt. He once again surpassed the CARIFTA qualifying standard of 50.65m (166’ 2”).

“I did not do as good as I wanted to but I was a little sore. My ankle was hurting, so I was not expecting nothing much today. Once I get some rest, I think I should do good in the coming track and field meets,” Cartwright said.

He was disappointed, but he said the new date for CARIFTA gives them time to get stronger and work on their technique so they can perform better.

Robert Deal threw a personal best of 37.96m (124’ 6”) on his fourth throw to finish second. Though he is happy with that distance, he is looking to throw 40m (131’ 3”) this season.

“I feel good about that throw,” Deal said. “I feel like my work paid off. I am happy and I am hoping to throw 40m next. I am looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Finishing third in that division was Kristian Mondesir with a throw of 24.52m (80’ 5”).

Mackey again surpassed the CARIFTA qualifying standard of 38.39m (125’ 11”) in the under-20 girls javelin. She won that event with a throw of 38.72m (127’) on her third attempt. The other competitor, Ethiopia Turnquest, was far behind in second with a throw of 16.18m (53’ 1”).

Mackey won the under-20 girls shot put with her final throw as she released and recorded a distance of 12.04m (39’ 6”). Second to her was Anne-Marie Oriakhi with a throw of 10.39m (34’ 1”) – her first throw of the day. Finishing behind her with a throw of 10.23m (33 6-3/4”) was Shelby Knowles.

Like Maycock said, his athletes had a tough week with the weight training. One of the throwers who underperformed on Saturday was Keyshawn Strachan. He won the under-20 boys javelin throw but threw under 60m when he posted a distance of 59.12m (193’ 11-1/2”).

“Coming into the meet, we weren’t expecting to throw good because we are lifting heavy in the gym. We are looking at meets such as World Juniors and CARIFTA. It is a tough season and we are expecting to see better results. Right now, we are more focused on technique and by time the meets reach we will have better results,” Strachan said.

Nathaniel Zervos, who is in his first year in the under-20 division, finished second when he threw 50.72m (166’ 4-3/4”). Finishing third was Jalen Cadet with a throw of 48.55m (159’ 3-1/2”).

Tarajh Hudson was victorious in the under-20 boys discus throw. He posted a throw of 55.89m (183’ 4-1/2”) to pick up a win. Finishing second was Philip Moss who posted a throw of 41.85m (137’ 3-3/4”). Fabian Storr’s second throw of 35.48m (116’ 4-3/4”) placed him third.

With the postponement of CARIFTA, Maycock said that forced him to change up the training strategy for his athletes.

“I redid my whole macro cycle a few days ago. I have to go home and rewrite their weight program to compensate for the length of time from CARIFTA, so it is a whole different format right now,” he said.

The next local track and field meet is set for Saturday, February 20. That meet will be hosted by the Roadrunners Track Club.

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