SPORTS SECTION E
Monday, January 19, 2026
BUDDY HIELD - Page E8
New national records By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
A pair of national record performances, sparked by a world leading time, by hurdler Antoine Andrews and thrower Abner Johnson on the same day at the same meet highlighted the performances of a number of Bahamians in track and field competition overseas over the weekend. At the Corky Classic on Friday night inside the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas, Andrews clocked 7.49 seconds to win the men's 60m hurdles, improving on his season opener of 7.66 in the first round before going 7.57 in the semifinals. As he capped it off with a 7.49 – his first sub-7.50 time in his career – for the win, Andrews climbed to the number one spot in the world and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It also goes down as No. 2 in Tech history, only behind his current teammate, Malachi Snow, who holds the record at 7.46. In the process, Andrews tied the Bahamian national record that was set by Shamar Sands on February 10, 2009, in Lievin, France. "I feel very good, very astonished and just excited to see what's next and what the Lord has in store for me," said Andrews, a graduate of St John's College,
THROWER Abner Johnson a 2020 World U-20 Championships' 110m hurdles gold medallist and a 2024 Olympian. "I knew I was capable of running the time. I just didn't know that it would be this early." Andrews, who last competed at the NACAC Championships in Grand Bahama where he ran nursing an injury, said he came
into the meet after he fractured his scapula, so it was a good start and he's blessed to come out injury free. "My expectation is actually just doing what I'm doing and that's simply having fun and focusing on my execution," Andrews said. "I know this season is going to be special." Andrews, the national outdoor 110m hurdles
HURDLER Antoine Andrews record holder at 13.34, is expected to be back in action at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, January 30-31. But as the indoor season winds down, it's not known if he will represent The Bahamas at the World Indoor Championships March 20-22 in Glasgow, Scotland, which comes up after he competes for the
Red Raiders at the NCAA Indoor Championships March 13-14. Also at the Corky Classic, Johnson, competing in his senior year at Northwestern State, was seventh in the men's weight throw with his distance of 59-feet, 0 1/2inches or 18.00 metres on his first attempt to shatter his previous national record of 58-4 1/2 (17.80m) that
he established last year. "Firstly, all praise to God. I felt like it was a good way to start the season," Johnson said. "I'm hopeful to keep improving as the season goes on. I expected it to come out and execute what I've been working on in practice." Following his opening toss, Johnson scratched his next three tries, but closed out the competition with 58-6 1/2 (17.84m) and 57-1 1/2 (17.41m) on his fifth and sixth throws. He noted that on his return to school in Louisiana, he will work on his mistakes and hopefully throw even further when he competes again at the Pittsburg State Invitational in Pittsburg, Kansas, on January 31. "I am hopeful to carry the national record even further and try to break the national shot put record," said Johnson of the shot put mark of (17.31m) that is held by Malik Stuart since February 18, 2017. "I also plan to win the two events at the indoor conference (Southland Conference)." The 6-foot, 4-inch Johnson, a 2020 graduate of St Augustine's College, is currently in his second year of his masters programme in sports administration. Also at the meet, Jalen Cadet, a senior transfer at Tarleton State, was seventh
ATHLETES - SEE Page E3
Athletes qualify for the CARIFTA Games By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RETURNING CARIFTA team members Zion Davis and Brion Ward and newcomer Joshua Wilson were the latest qualifiers for the 2026 CARIFTA Games at the DSPT Wolfpack/ Doyle Burrows 8th Annual Track and Field Classic. Saturday's meet at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium saw Davis run a blistering lifetime best of 20.99 seconds in the under-20 boys' 200 metres, Ward did 12.18 in the under-17 girls 100m and Wilson clocked 10.47 in the under-20 boys' 100m. In the marquee event of the day, Davis, representing the Star Elite Athletics, pulled away from the field down the stretch to cross the finish line ahead of Jahcario Wilson from the Bahamas Speed Dynamics, who did a personal best of 21.37.
The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations' qualifying standard for the 200m going into the 2026 CARIFTA in Grenada over the Easter holiday weekend is 21.15. "I just ran the 400m, so I came into the race a little tired," said Wilson, whose winning time of 47.52 over Everette Fraser of Fast Forward (49.58) was a little short of the qualifying time of 47.39. "But at the start of the race, I was constantly telling myself at the start of the race, 20-point, 20-point. I was just manifesting it, so coming out of the blocks, I was just focusing on executing the first 50 and staying relaxed." With Wilson ahead of him, the 18-year-old Davis said he was able to gain the momentum to storm back and surge ahead of him for the win and the qualifying standard. "I feel good knowing it’s January and I ran 20.96," said Davis, a
graduate of Queen's College who was fourth in the 400m hurdles at last year's CARIFTA. "That's a fast time. "That's a time to win CARIFTA and medal, so I know I have a lot of room to improve before CARIFTA. I want to go for the junior national record this year." While he fell short of the standard, Wilson said he was still pleased with his effort, moving up to the under-20 division for the first time after his shining double gold medal in the under-17 boys' 110m and 400m hurdles at CARIFTA last year in Trinidad & Tobago and a member of both the winning 4 x 100 and 4 x 400m relay teams. "I came out here and did what I had to do," said Wilson, who is now competing in his first year in the under-20 division. "He pushed me and caused me to run much faster." In the 100m, Joshua Wilson's winning time matched the CARIFTA standard of 10.47 with Jahcario Wilson finishing just outside of the mark at 10.68. For Joshua Wilson, who earlier did the qualifying standard in the long jump, he's on the road to making his first appearance at CARIFTA and he's enthused about what's ahead for him. "I just went out and did the best I could. My legs weren't the best, but I still pushed ahead and stayed out front," said Wilson, an 18-year-old member of Jumpers Inc and a 2025 graduate of Galilee Academy. "Right now since I've qualified as well for the long jump, I will focus on that because it's my best event. I am only using the 100m to develop my speed. But if I have to run the 100, I want to be ready as well." Ward, a bronze medallist in the 100m and a fourth place finisher in the 200m at last year's CARIFTA, dipped under the standard
ZION DAVIS
BRION WARD
JOSHUA WILSON
of 12.19 and doubled in the 200m in 25.66, but it was shy of the standard of 24.42. "My performance today was good. I executed my race and I ran my race plan," said Ward of her century time of 12.18. "It wasn't the best start I had, but I managed to run through the line. "I'm looking forward to running faster this season and get ready for the CARIFTA trials and hopefully go to CARIFTA and win two individual medals." Ward was followed in the 100m by Rocelis Moxey of Swift Athletics (12.73) with Chyanne Hepburn third (12.79). Hepburn, a member of the Roadrunners, was second in the 200m (25.66) and Laila-Marie Brice of Legacy Nation Athletics was third (26.14). Zara Fraser of Fast Forward captured the 400m (58.80). Brice was second (1:00.09) and Ramonica Miller of Unique Athletics was third (1:00.13). The CARIFTA standard is 56.27. Logan Stubbs of the Bahamas Speed Dynamics won the under-20 girls' 400m (59.77). Jade Knowles of DTSP Wolfpack was second (1:00.16) and Breyteisha Kemp of
Hurry Murray was third (1:03.98). Benryco Pierre of the T-Bird Flyers pulled off a distance double feat in the under-20 boys’ division, winning the 1,500m (4:08.05) over Kelunn Francis (4:41.94) and the 3,000m (9:29.03) over his teammate Kayden Thurston second (9:29.05). In the open division, George Minnis won the 100m (11.21); Thoreno Evans of the Andros Heats won the 200m (21.98) and Joseph Lhevinne of the University of the Bahamas won the 400m (49.51) with Peter Tilsnord taking the 800m (2:06.00). X-Treme Athletics' Jaliyah Rigby doubled up as the under-7 girls 80m (14.93) and the 150m (28.77); Kids Athletics' Mya Capron won the under-9 girls 80m (13.23) and her teammate Milani Greenslade won the 150m (25.48). Savannah Taylor of Fast Forward won the under11 girls 100m (15.07) and Unique Athletics' Monae Miller got a double in the 200m (31.15) and the 400m (1:11.40). Megan Freeman of Fast Forward took the under-13
girls 100m (14.87) and Tanez Davis of Unique Athletics won the 200m (26.81). Fast Forward's Dakaeja Duncombe won the under-15 girls 100m (12.47); McKnzie Henfield of Bahamas Speed Dynamics won the 200m (25.34) and Haleel Munnings of Hurry Murray won the 400m (1:05.58). Speed 365 Athletics' Lincoln Feller dominated the under-7 boys’ division, winning the 80m (14.24) and the 150m (27.48), while Beginners Track's Leon Fernander did the same in the under-9 boys in the 80m (12.87) and the 150m (23.81). Speed 365 Athletics' Jadon White won the under11 boys' 100m (14.84); Jason Babbs of Kids Athletics took the 200m (30.89) and Valdez Godet of Hurry Murray won the 400m (1:17.41). Swift Athletic' George Brown was the star in the under-13 boys' 100m (13.75) and the 200m (27.65). Aiden Knowles of X-Treme Athletics won the 400m (1:04.03) and the long jump (4.61m). Fast Athletics' Andre Flowers won the under 15
CARIFTA - SEE Page E3