Secondary Schools' Track & Field
Le Maitre & Barker-Top 6K
Shania Le Maitre of Holy Name Convent (left) and Toco Secondary's Otis Barker (right) pose with their trophies after capturing the girls and boys 17 & Over 6K titles respectively at the 2017 TTSSTFA Secondary Schools Cross-Country run at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Sunday, October 15.
RESULTS - Over 17-6km
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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Fri, Oct, 20): Otis Barker (Toco Secondary) secured the boys 17 & over 6K title at the 2017 TTSSTFA Secondary Schools Cross-Country Run and Health Fair at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Sunday, October 15. Barker crossed the line in 22 minutes 12 seconds (22:12), narrowly ahead of Jaden St. Louis (Downers), 22:13. The two battled each other for the lead down the final stretch of the race. Barker was second in 2015 and 2016 and looked destined for another runner-up finish as he trailed St. Louis before the final turn. However, Barker out-sprinted his rival to take the top spot for the first time in three years. The 19 year old added the cross country title to the Secondary Schools 5K prize he copped in 2016. Justin Parks (Sangre Grande) took third place (22:47).
Shania Le Maitre (Holy Name Convent) landed the girls equivalent in 30:22 ahead of her training-mate Renata Charles (Bishops Anstey), 30.23. Carifta 2015 Girls under 18 400m hurdles bronze medallist Cheziah Phillip (Toco Secondary) landed third place.
Barker was elated with his triumph and credited his improved training for his success. "I am happy I made steady progress and that I won the race. It just helped my mental (strength) to increase and showed me that despite the challenges you can overcome. (Preparing for) this year I increased my mileage. I tried to cover 70 miles per week which helped me seriously. " He added that his victory came during a difficult year for him. "I just had to hold and display the training that I did. This year has been a tough one on the track but I overcame. Next year I moving on to Seniors (over 20). I want to make some senior teams.
Le Maitre said her win was for her father who supported her. "I want to dedicate this victory to my dad who has always been there for me, taking me to training and every where." The second year Sixth Former added that her victory is a reflection of her preparation for the race. "I feel good about the victory because I worked hard towards this. Every day I train and did my best. This is my first time competing (in this event). I didn't know the course so I wanted to get a comfortable pace and sprint home in the finish." She said her effort in her win indicated that she has to train more for the athletic season ahead. "It (the performance) tells me where I am at and I have plenty more work to do."
The 2017 edition of the Secondary's Schools Cross Country Run and Health Fair race started and ended between Victoria and Stanmore Avenues in overcast but dry conditions. The start time delayed to 3:30pm from the scheduled 2:00pm start as the organisers awaited the arrival of several race officials and athletes. Thirty-four (34) athletes (9 girls and 25 boys) representing 15 schools competed in the 6K edition. The competitors and spectators participated in warm up and cool down aerobics before and after the race. Blue Waters was the sponsor of this year's race . Several organisations: Blue Waters, VEMCO-Gatorade, Bermudez, Institute of Health and Fitness, Herbalife and Kiss Baking set up display booths and provided free samples of their products and services.
The Cross-Country Run & Health Fair was the first of four major events on the TTSSTFA calendar. The next event is the 5K Classic at Shiva Boys College, Penal on November 5. The Relay Festival is listed for the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on February 1, 2018 with the Track and Field Championships slated for the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on February 22 & 23, 2018.
The vision of the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Track and Field Association (TTSSTFA) is to become the leader in track and field development in Trinidad and Tobago through the formulation of strategic relationships, effective promotion of track and field initiatives and professionally executed track and field events. Dr. Phillip Allard, principal of Pleasantville Secondary, is the current president of the association. Barrington Richardson (Palo Seco Secondary) and Janelle Edwards (Speyside High) are First and Second Vice President respectively. Andy Joseph (Moruga Secondary) is serving as Secretary with Candice Barrow (Mason Hall Secondary) as Assistant Secretary. Ryan Perriera (Sangre Grande Secondary) is the current Treasurer and Indra Ramsingh-Geoffrey (San Fernando West Secondary) Public Relations Officer. Joseph Brewster (Toco Secondary), Bernanadine Hazard-Charles (Marabella South Secondary) and Jillian Huggins (Pleasantville Secondary) are the Trustees. Competing schools are divided into eight zones with each zone run by a coordinator: Port Spain (Hayes Jones), St. George East (Phillip Kalloo), North East (Verona Davis-Modeste), Tobago (Xavier King), Caroni (George Dottin), Victoria (Aravind Ramgoolam), St. Patrick (Dexter Saklal) and South East (Robert Warner).
Barker finally wins Schools Boys 6K honours…Le Maitre secures first girls prize
by Clayton Clarke (sportscoretobago@gmail.com); 20.10.2017
6K-top three
Shania Le Maitre (top centre) won the girls 17 & Over 6K ahead at the 2017 TTSSTFA Secondary Schools Cross-Country run at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain on Sunday, October 15. Second place Renata Charles (top right) and third placer Cheziah Phillip (top left) receive their trophies from First Vice President of the TTSSTFA Barrington Richardson. Otis Barke (bottom centre) captured the boys 6K. Jaden St. Louis (bottom right) took the runner-up spot ahead of Justin Parks (bottom left). St. Louis and Parks collect their trophies from Secretary of the TTSSTFA Andy Joseph.
© SSTF