SPORTS SECTION E
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025
Terrence Jones sets new national record By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
T
errence Jones established a national record, Anthonique Strachan showed she’s back, Anthaya Charlton soared again and twin sisters Cassie and Casidra Thompson got their own spotlight over the weekend. They led a relatively good showing by a number of elite and collegiate athletes in action in various meets overseas. Atlanta City Games Although he didn’t win, Grand Bahamian Terrence Jones clocked 14.93 for second place and a new Bahamian national record in the Piedmont Men’s 150 metres elite race in Atlanta, Georgia, shattering Chris “Fireman” Brown’s previous national record of 15.10 that he ironically established on the same day in 2018 at the
CLEVELAND ENEAS TRACK & FIELD TEAM CELEBRATES – PAGE 3
Manchester City Games in Manchester, United Kingdom. Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala stunned the field in taking the tape in 14.70. American Matthew Boling was third in 15.15. JAAA All-Comers Slowly making her way back to full form, sprinter Anthonique Strachan laid it all on the track at the Kingston National Stadium in easily winning the women’s 200 metres. Competing for the MVP Track and Field Club where she continues her training in Jamaica, Strachan sped to an impressive win in 22.86. She was unchallenged as her nearest rival and MVP team-mate Jonelle Smith was a distant second in 23.33. While she’s not sure what’s next for her, Strachan told The Tribune she was just pleased to get in a creditable performance in the half-lap race. “It was a good run and I can’t complain after a year of no 200 metres,” Strachan said. “I never expected anything. I just wanted to finish healthy.” Southeastern Conference After emerging as one of the collegians indoors, Florida transfer Anthaya Charlton continued to shine, this time taking the SEC Outdoor Championship title in the women’s long jump at her former school at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Charlton, who went on to compete at the World Indoor Championships, soared 21-feet, 2 3/4-inches or 6.47 metres on her third attempt to snatch the victory. Her only other mark posted was 20-11 1/4 (6.38)
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GUARD DENIKA LOOKING FORWARD TO FIU By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
It was an improvement for Charlton, who had the seventh fastest qualifying time of 11.36 in the preliminaries. And it was an unusual clash that featured two Bahamians running
LIKE her new teammate Rhema Collins, guard Denika Lightbourne is just as eager to suit up in a new uniform with the Florida International University Panthers women’s basketball team. The Bahamian duo came out of the transfer portal and have decided to join forces with the Panthers and coach Jesyka BurksWiley for the 2025/2026 season. Over the weekend, the duo got a glimpse of what to expect as they worked out together at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium under the supervision of local coaches Anthony Swaby and Donnie Culmer. They were also joined by Tanisha Seymour, a sophomore at Davis & Elkins College and a member of their Senators women’s basketball team. The 5-foot, nine-inch Lightbourne played her sophomore season this past year with the University of Dayton for the past two seasons after graduating from Tallulah Falls High School in Georgia. She played in just 15 of her team’s 31 games this season, averaging 1.2 points and 0.8 rebounds per game, while setting or tying season-highs with five points, one three, two rebounds and one assist at GW. Lightbourne also had four points in a season-high 17 minutes at Rhode Island and scored a season-high four points and was perfect from the field against Tennessee.
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CRUISE CONTROL: Sprinter Terrence Jones in action. INSET - Anthaya Charlton. on her first attempt, which would have still given her the win as second place went to Mariia Horielova, a sophomore at Alabama, who did (6.37m) on her fourth attempt. Charlton, in her junior year, also showed her
versatility with her speed in the 200m where she was third in 11.14. Only JaMeesia Ford, a sophomore at South Carolina, in 11.06 and Tima Godbless, a sophomore at LSU, in 11.06, were faster in first and second respectively.
GSSSA crowns senior girls, boys soccer champions THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association crowned its senior girls and boys soccer champions on Friday at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Today, the junior boys and girls playoffs will get underway. Here’s a look at their match-ups: 4pm Junior girls - DW Davis Royals vs Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves (back field new). LW Young Golden Eagles vs HO Nash Lions (front field old). Junior boys - SC McPherson Sharks vs AF Adderley Fighting Tigers (back field new). LW Young Golden Eagles vs Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves (front field old). As for the champions crowned on Friday, here’s their outcome: Senior girls championship - CR Walker Knights nipped RM Bailey Pacers 4-3. Third place CI Gibson Rattlers blanked
NBA, Pages 5 & 8
PICKLEBALL: PRIZE MONEY DOUBLES TOURNEY ROCKS ROMORA BAY IN ‘BRILAND’ AS the sport of pickleball continues to grow in The Bahamas, Kevaughn Ferguson decided to venture into the Family Islands, hosting his first prize money doubles tournament over the weekend. The event was staged at the brand new Harbour island Pickleball Club at the Romora Bay in Harbour island. “We had national team members including myself and Justyn Thompson competing,” Ferguson said. “We had five teams who
participated. It was a lot of fun.” Philip Major Jr teamed up with Tricia Fernandes to win the final 11-7 over the squad of Justyn Thompson and national team member Robert Griffin to cart off the initial title. Third place went to the duo of Ferguson and Paul King. They were followed by the pair of India Hicks and Shannon Francis in fourth and the combo of Sophia Taylor and Shaq
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THE SPORTS May CALENDAR
PLAY ACTION: Senior girls play in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association soccer championships at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Center, Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, on Friday. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
NATIONAL AQUATHLON/ TRIATHLON THE Bahamas Triathlon Association has announced that its 6th Aquathlon/Triathlon National Championships is scheduled for from May 24-25 in Jaws Beach. The event is open to all athletic levels. For more information, interested persons can visit bahamastriathlon.org.
TRACK OPEN HOUSE THE Blue Chip Athletics is slated to hold its Open House Invitation on Saturday, May 31 from 9-11:30am at the Queen’s College campus. The competitors will get a chance to show off their skills in discus, shot put, javelin and the hammer throws. Interested persons are urged
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