Jones Shines As Antigua Struggles At Carifta

Young female sprinter, Soniya Jones has been the country’s lone bright spark at the ongoing Carifta Games thus far, having won bronze in the 100 metres under-17 girl’s category in the Bahamas.
Jones, the daughter of former national sprinter Sonia Williams and coach, Evans “Jawakie” Jones, registered a personal best of 11.75 seconds to finish third in Saturday’s finals. The time also qualified her for the Youth Olympics and World Juniors.
Jones was beaten to the finish by Jamaica’s Briana Williams in a time of 11.27 seconds and Jaida Knowles of the Bahamas who clocked 11.68 in the silver medal position. Trinidad and Tobago’s Shaniqua Bascombe was fourth in 11.77 seconds.
Heading into the final day of competition on Monday, Jones was slated to contest the 200 metres finals, while long distance runner, Kalique St. Jean was set to contest the 5000 metres finals.
St. Jean had just missed out on a medal in the 1500 metres on Sunday after finishing fourth, while long jumper and 2017 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, Sheldon Noble, finished a disappointing eighth in his discipline.
The squad had been hit by injuries just days before their scheduled departure to the Bahamas, with top female sprinter, Joella Lloyd and long jumper, Dahlia Barnes being scratched from the roster.
Lloyd picked up an injury during training while Barnes fell ill, forcing her to withdraw from the team.