COUGARS Athletic Club of Trinidad was the class act at the Mason Hall Police Youth Club Juvenile Track Classic III, held at the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet, on July 14.
Cougars, led by head coach Kelvin Nancoo copped the $10,000 championship prize, sponsored by the Chief Secretary Charity Golf tournament, after accumulating 330 points from 28 events.
Naomi Phillips and Seth Sylvester were the premium performers for the champions. Phillips won the girls Under-9 80-metre event in 10.97 seconds and doubled-up in the 150m, flashing a time of 20.28. Sylvester contributed to his team's supremacy following his golden finish in the one-lap and half-lap events. He stopped the clock in 59.02 in the 400m and 25.76 in the 200m.
Nancoo won the coach of the meet award, after Cougars finished at the pinnacle of the medal standings, with 13 gold medals. Nancoo, a national coach, said he expected a strong showing from his team. "Coming out of the National Juvenile Championships, we felt that we had an excellent chance of winning, so we never stopped training.
“The meet was well organised; I think it is one of the better games in the country at present. We will be back next year for sure,” Nancoo said.
Defending champions Zenith Athletic Club had to settle for second with 289 points, and received $5,000 courtesy Bmobile.
Xiah Tobias impressed for Zenith after taking down a strong line-up, in the girls Under-13 100m final, crossing the finish line in 12.33. Tobias also surged to victory in the 200m as she finished in 25.55.
The much-anticipated boys Under-15 100m showdown was also secured by Zenith’s Jquan Douglas in an impressive time of 11.11. Zenith sealed the club with the most vibes accolade.
Burnley Athletic Club of Trinidad occupied the third position, and were awarded $4,000, sponsored by Sagicor Insurance Company.
Among the gold medallist for Burnley was Nickel Gill (22.70) in the boys Under-15 400m.
Memphis Athletic Club (Trinidad) followed in fourth and profited from $3,000, courtesy Works Credit Union. Josiah Kaiten struck gold for Memphis in the boys Under-13 100m, timed at 12.71.
Shannon Cox was the star for Mason Hall, taking the girls Under-13 400m title in one minute, 8.93 seconds, while Kereem Moses was the hot ticket for Lambeau Alliance, securing the sprint double in the girls Under-13 category. She posted 13.47 in the 100m and 27.78 in the 200m.
The featured girls Under-18 400m was won by Angel Davidson of Mason Hall in 59.85, while the boys Under-18 100m title went to Jayden Phillips of Zenith in 11.10.
Master of ceremonies Merere Gonzales was high in praise of the event. “I have done many athletic club sports across Trinidad and Tobago, and I have never seen a club sport with so many incentives and innovations. Congrats to Mason Hall, they have certainly lifted the bar.”
Entertainment on the day was provided by Rhythmic Vibrations Dance Company and youth pannist Jaden Phillip.
Inclusive of the major sponsors were the Tobago House of Assembly, Sebro’s Plumbing Services, Eteck,
