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| St. Kitts Takes 18 Medals at CUT Games |
| By Sheena Brooks |
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The team of athletes representing St. Kitts at the 13th Biennial Caribbean Union of Teachers Games took home a total of 18 medals to finish in fifth place.
St. Kitts hosted the regional track and field event this past weekend, and managed to secure five gold, nine silver, and four bronze medals. Fourth-place Bahamas beat St. Kitts by one gold medal and four bronzes, but St. Kitts nabbed seven more silvers than did Bahamas. Nevis picked up one silver and four bronze medals.
First place Jamaica amassed a total of 22 gold, 13 silver, and nine bronze medals; second place Barbados took home a total of 36 medals, while third place Trinidad and Tobago reaped 20.
The Silver Jubilee Stadium came alive over the weekend as hundreds of athletes and spectators flooded the venue. Track fans cheered on their home team at both the morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday and Sunday.
Taking home gold for St. Kitts were Jahnaza Francis - U-11 boys long jump; Olujede Bridgewater - girls U-9 150m and 80m; Israel Liburd - boys U-11 200m prelims and finals; and Tonecia Wattley - girls U-11 cricket ball.
St. Kitts’ team manager Anthony Wiltshire told The Observer that the young athletes’ performance at the CUT Games was nothing short of outstanding.
“I found their performance was exceptional, especially having to compete against the cream of the crop from the region. To have placed 5th from a large field of competing teams, many of which come from countries that have more resources, better facilities, and wider pools of athletes, I think they should be commended,” he said.
Wiltshire said the nation and track and field fraternity should be proud of the athletes’ accomplishment, since the team had not been so successful at a track meet since 1998 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“This proves that our athletes can compete with the best in the Caribbean. I must commend the parents and event sponsors for their support and also SKNAAA President Glen Jeffers for all of his hard work. I must also applaud the efforts of the St. Kitts Teachers Union for planning and carrying out a successful event,” he posited.
The team manager expressed high praise for 8-year-old Olujede Bridgewater of Freeman’s Village, who was named Victrix Ludorum of the event. |
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