Watson pleased with display at tragedy-hit NACAC meet

Bermuda National Athletics Association president Donna Watson declared herself pleased with the island’s performance at the NACAC Cross Country Championship in Trinidad & Tobago, which was marred by the death of a Jamaican athlete.

Overall, Bermuda finished in fourth place.  Lamont Marshall placed 11th in a time of 25min 54sec, Trey Simons 14th in a time of 26:33, Jay Donawa 18th in 27:03 and Juma Mouchette 23rd in 29:22.

The 8km course was set among a golf course and featured rolling hills.

Watson said in a press release: “This is one of the highest placings in a long time for our cross country team. Overall we are very pleased with the team’s performance.

“Unfortunately there was an incident during the championships when one of the Jamaican High School athletes collapsed and died.  Our condolences go out to the athlete’s association and family.”

Meanwhile, Bermudian Chas Smith has been voted rookie of the year and broke the school record in the triple jump at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He jumped 14.66m, which is also a PB for Smith.

He also won the long jump competition with a leap of 6.53m. “He is shaping up for a good Carifta Games,” added Watson.

There was also a new addition to the Carifta squad over the weekend, with Kionje Somner achieving the qualification mark in the Under-18 boys’ 400m.