CENTREVILLE PRIMARY STUDENTS ENJOY PLAY TENNIS PROGRAMME

to compete in one of the biggest decathlon events in the world was an historic feat for the Bahamas.

“I was satisfied with my performance this past weekend,” said the 25-year-old Thompson, who is training in Dallas, Texas. “Again, a new personal best and national record shows that my hard work is paying off.

“Competing with Ken Mullings is fun. We enjoy every moment and events over the past two days, and we gave it our best.”

Thompson has been invited to compete in Decastar Invitational in Talence, France from September 23-24, a World Athletics Combined Events Tour gold level meeting.

Although he didn’t secure an invitation yet, Mullings, 26, admitted

Soccer Nationals

FROM PAGE 16 the tenacity of the Knights’ goalkeeper Raynia Russell led to the team completing a clean sheet. No team was able to score a goal against the Lady Knights at last week’s nationals or GSSSA championships. Russell’s prowess as a goalkeeper did not go unnoticed, she was awarded as the golden glove winner for the school.

“I am very excited. I know once you have confidence, do your best you put it all on the field. I thank my teammates for getting back and trying their best to help as we played throughout the whole week,” the goalkeeper said.

Although the Lady Knights appeared hobbled after a gruelling week of soccer matchups they can now celebrate as the 2023 GSSSA soccer champions and winners of the Samuel P Haven Jr Soccer Nationals.

Tia Rolle, head coach of the Lady Knights, talked about the impressive showing from the team.

The coach said the game plan was to reserve their energy and after scoring a goal they would defend their own. She said the team was definitely tired after competing at 11 games in three weeks in addition to two championship games which were a longer duration than the regular season games. She added that the keys were defence and team chemistry as the girls gave it all they had while proving to be true champions.

The Warriors wrapped up the competition in second with their Edisa Bain taking home Most Valuable Player for the girls and claiming the golden boot honours after finishing with five goals.

The senior boys of the Lyford Cay International School (LCIS) quelled the momentum of the Government High School (GHS) Magic. GHS looked to collect another trophy to pair alongside their GSSSA championship earned earlier last week. However, the Dragons came out on

Gardiner

PAGE 16 way for the group of Bahamians as she skipped, hopped and jumped 45-feet, 9 1/4-inches or 13.95 metres to win the women’s triple jump and earned one of three berths into the NCAA Championships.

Taylor also secured her berth in the 100m hurdles where she placed fifth in 12.80 and she did it in the long jump with her leap of 20-5 1/4 (6.23m) for 11th overall.

Shaun Miller Jr of Ohio State soared 7-1/4 (2.14m) for second place to advance to the NCAA Finals. Tony Jones, a senior at Mississippi State, cleared the same height, but got the win on fewer knockdowns.

Anthaya Charlton, a freshman at the University of Kentucky, earned her berth into the NCAA Finals with her sixth place that he still has some more work to get back on track.

“It was an amazing experience, lovely weather and the crowd was engaged,” Mullings said. “The competition was stacked. I loved every moment of it.”

As for competing against Thompson, Mullings said it was good to have the Bahamas represented by a pair of athletes.

“It’s always fun competing against him,” said Mullings, who trains out of Chicago, Illinois.

“I just got to step my game up and get back on the winning streak.”

Mullings, however, was not sure exactly when he will be back in action, although there are several meets on the horizon.

Thompson started the event with second place in the men’s 100m in 10.82 for 1,028 points. Mullings was eighth in 10.60 for 952 points.

In the long jump, Thompson was eighth with top and defeated the team 1-0. The lone goal for the team was scored by Dragons’ Xavier Dupuch late into the second half of the game. Despite an anticlimactic finish for the Magic, they capped off the high school nationals in second place and Peter Tilusnord was awarded as one of the golden boot winners with three goals.

LCIS’ Michael Massey took home Most Valuable Player honours and his teammate Vance Wheaton was awarded the Golden Glove winner.

Phil Carroll, head coach of the Dragons, talked about the finals win for the school. “We felt that we were in control of the game for the most part credit to the opposition because they were managing to keep us out of the goal, and were offering a big threat on the counter attack as well,” he said.

Carroll said despite the quickness of GHS, he felt that his team was managing the game well. He added that the Dragons were prepared for the physical game because the local teams bring a lot of intensity and passion but he told the boys to stand up to it.

Overall, he said it felt great and he was proud of them despite the end of the game, he felt the opposition deserved more for their effort up to that point.

Third place The QC Comets secured third place in the competition after defeating the senior girls of the LCIS Dragons 3-2 after a penalty shootout.

Alexis Williamson, who played a big role in helping the Comets to advance, was given the opportunity to serve as the team’s head coach in their final game and her final year at the school.

The team captain talked about the Comets win for third place at the high schools soccer nationals.

“It feels great, yesterday we had a setback because I got injured but I am glad that my team stepped up and that they were able to come third. We wanted to come first but we did our best and I am very proud of my team,” Williamson said.

For the boys, the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves in the women’s 100m in 11.08.

Javonya Valcourt, a freshman at Tennessee, clocked 52.31 for fifth place to advance to the NCAA Championships. Megan Moss, a junior st Kentucky, missed out after she placed 32nd overall in 53.87.

Wanya McCoy also missed out on an individual spot in the men’s 100m after he clocked 10.07 for 12th overall for one of the fastest times ever ran by a Bahamian. He was consistent running 10.10 in the preliminaries.

McCoy also missed out in the 200m, coming much closer than in the century. He completed the half-lap race in 20.45 for 13th overall. The top 12 competitors moved on.

NCAA Division II Championships

At the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships, Denisha Cartwright, a at Minnesota State,

7.48m for 930 points, while Mullings was 17th with 7.26m for 876 points. In the shot put, Mullings had the better showing with 14.87m for 11th and 782 points. Thompson was 26th with 13.48m for 697 points. Mullings also soared 2.06m for fourth place and 859 points. Thompson did 2.00m, for eighth place with 803 points. Thompson closed out the first day of competition with fourth in the 400m in 47.22 for 947 points. Mullings was 21th in 49.84 for 822. they don’t get to swim in a lot of short course meets. It’s normally long course, so coming home and competing in a short course meet was good for them.

On the final day of competition, Mullings did 14.32 for 11th ahead of Thompson, who did 14.40 for 14th for 924 points.

Thompson got ninth in the discus with a heave of 64.63m for 808 points. Mullings did 43.64m for 22nd place with 683 points.

In the pole vault, Thompson was 21st with 4.50m for 760 points.

In the discus, Thompsson came close to a victory with 64.73m for 808 points and Mullings did 5:17.38 for 22nd place with 454 points.

The duo closed out the competition in the gruelling 1,500m run with both competitors struggling with Thompson clocking 4:56.44 for 19th and 712 points. Mullings trailed him in 22nd place in 5:17.38 for 464.

“We had some big swims from Marvin Johnson, Nigel Forbes, Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson, Kianna Moss, just to name a few. Overall, it was a good meet. We had a lot of swimmers in the younger age groups who had a chance to qualify for the Nationals.”

The Nationals is scheduled for June 15-18 and as the head coach for Mako Aquatic Club, McPhee sent a message to their rivals that they are coming out to continue their winning streak as they go after their fifth straight championship title.

Thompson, who came home from school, said it is mind over matter as she used the meet to prepare for the Nationals. She took the 18-and over age group division for girls with a total of 50 points. The Alpha Aquatics’ member outduelled Mako’s Kyla Bethell, who had 39 for second place.

“I swam well. I wasn’t looking for any specific times. I just have to look back at the end where I need to improve on,” said Thompson, who is studying at Howard University. “I am really excited about Nationals.”

Thompson, who is pursing a degree in health science and pre-dental, said she’s been thrilled to see the vibrant youth programme being ran by the association and the clubs.

“I just hope that a lot of the swimmers stay focused and committed, especially during their final year (in high school. If they want to go to college, they have to learn to be focused, dedicated nd committed.”

One of the competitors Thompson faced was Rhanisha Gibbs, who is preparing to head off to college in August. “I think the competition was very good. I was glad that I got the chance to compete against some of the collegiate swimmers like Zaylie,” Gibbs said. I think this gave me the opportunity to see where I am at going into Nationals. I feel very good about my performances.”

Forbes, a Grand Bahamian native, also had one of the most outstanding performances on the boys’ side. He was undefeated in all of his events, but finished fifth in the age group division with 50 points.

“I was very pleased with my performances. I thought it was very good,” said Forbes, who is graduating from St George’s High School and is heading to Texas Christian University in August. “I enjoyed the 200 free the most because I had the most fun.” took down the Lucaya International School (LIS) Buccaneers 2-1. The Timberwolves’ two goals were scored by Tommy Valburn and Guenson Belvy to claim third place in the competition.

Oliver Lynch, head coach of the Timberwolves, talked about the victory. He said the team got off to a shaky start due to some rainy weather earlier in the day that affected their warmups.

The coach said the team started out flat as LIS got out to a 1-0 lead.

However, his team was able to score two more goals in the game and defend their goal for the win.

Other outstanding performances from the meet came from the following swimmers:

Girls 8-and-underCailyn Dean, Blue Waves, 62 points, Kirsten Rolle, Blue Waves, 58 points.

Boys 8-and-under - Dylan Musgrove, Blue Waves, 53 points; Mason Hanna, Mako Aquatics, 46.50.

Girls 9-10 - Isabella Munroe, Mako Aquatics, 61 points; Taylen Nicholls, Mako Aquatics, 61 points.

Boys 9-10 - Adrian Dean, Mako Aquatics, 58 points; Asher Bastian, Mantas Swim 7 Water Polo Club, 53 points.

Girls 11-12 - Saleste Gibson, Barracuda, 60 points; DF McKenzie, Mako Aquatics, 59 points.

Boys 11-12 - Christon Joseph, Blue Waves, 67 points; Harold Simmons, Mako Aquatics, 61 points.

Girls 13-14 - Alanna Murray, Black Marlins, 67 points; Summer McKinney, Mako Aquatics, 49 points.

Boys 13-14 - Kevin Johnson, Blue Waves, 56.50 points; Malcolm Menzies, Black Marlins, 50 points.

Girls 15-17 - Grace Farrington, unattached, 57 points; Elle Theberge, Mako, 52 points.

Boys 15-17 - Caden Wells, Black Mantas, 58 points; Marvin Johnson, Mako Aquatics, 57 points.