By Neto Baptiste
Bronze medallist in the 400 meters hurdles at the just concluded Carifta Games in Jamaica, Craig Pendergast, has described his experience as “splendid”, stating that living and attending school in Jamaica meant added pressure going into the event.
“The experience was splendid competing against some of my friends. I can also say it was challenging because I also got some peer pressure from my mates. Most of it was just jokes, but the experience was a good one. Everyone was surprised that I am not a Jamaican because of the accent and all,” he said.
Pendergast won bronze in the boys’ under-20 400 meters hurdles event. The Calabar High School student clocked 55.08 to finish just behind of second-placed Bahamian Shamiar Bain (52.83), and Jamaica’s Roshawn Clarke who took gold in 50.68 seconds.
Meanwhile, under-20 boys’ sprinter Ajani Daley, although not medalling at the games, said the experience was a valuable one.
“I was injured leading up to Carifta and I still ran faster [than my previous race] and I think I ran the qualifying time for World Juniors again, so I don’t know how much faster I can go but by the time World Juniors come around I’ll see,” the athlete said.
Ethan Stubbs-Green also brought home a second gold medal for Antigua and Barbuda at the Carifta Swimming Championships in Barbados.
Stubbs-Green clocked 2:12.27 to finish ahead of the field to take the 200 meters butterfly gold against a competitive field. The athlete had previously won gold in the 100m butterfly and bronze in the 200m freestyle.
There was bronze as well for Ellie Shaw in the 50 meters breaststroke with a time of 35.71 seconds.
The Antiguan competed in the girls’ 13-14 age category where she finished behind of Cyrielle Manin of Martinique who won gold in a time of 35.40, and Jade Bering also of Martinique who won silver in 35.45 seconds.