Star studded field for National Champs
Bermuda’s Olympic hopefuls will be coming home next month to compete in the Powerade Bermuda National Track and Field Championships at the National Sports Centre (NSC).The elite athletes who have confirmed their participation are Olympian long jumper Tyrone Smith, who has already qualified for the Games, former junior world champion Arantxa King (long jump), 800 metres record holder Aaron Evans, sprint specialist Tre Houston as well as Alison Outerbridge (triple jump), Henry Stevens-Carty (800 metres, 1500 metres), Jasmine Brunson (long and triple jumps), Ashley Berry (1500 metres and 300 metres) and Latroya Darrell (high and triple jumps).The on-fire Taylor Ashley Bean will also be competing in the 800 and 1500 metres. She has broken four Bermuda records over the past six weeks.Lamont Marshall, who is attempting to qualify for London in the 1500 metres, will also take part in the 800 while Juma Mouchette will race in both the 1500m and 5000m.Carifta gold medallist Justin Donawa has entered the long and triple jumps, while Carifta medallist Shaquille Dill will be seeking to recreate his magic in the 800.May 24 Half-Marathon Derby favourite Ashley Estwanik has set her sights on the Bermuda national record in the 5,000 metres.Bermuda Track and Field Association (BTFA) president Donna Watson said she expected to see an exciting weekend of racing and a few more athletes make their respective qualifying grades.“The BTFA are gearing themselves up for an exciting event,” said Watson. “We are looking forward to this being a great event to showcase our senior elite athletes with some of them preparing for London in front of Bermuda.“We are excited about this and hoping that Bermudians will come out and see these athletes in action.“Most of these athletes will be coming off some great performances overseas and this would be the first time in many years that they have competed in front of their home crowd.”To make the championships even more competitive 16 overseas athletes have accepted invitations to compete against the locals.“Several of these athletes have been in the top three in their Regional championships and have qualified for the NCAA Indoors and Outdoor championships,” added Watson.“Tyrone will be bringing with him two long jumpers plus we have another jumper who will be competing who has jumped over 8 metres. We have several 800m female athletes who will be coming as Taylor Ashley Bean is trying to reach the qualifying standard for the World Junior Championships.“Two of Arantxa’s team-mates will be coming to compete against her in the long jump along with two of Latroya’s team-mates who will be coming to compete in the high jump and long jump.“There are others who will make the trek to Bermuda and this is the first time in many years that we have had overseas competition for our championships.“Of course, our own Bermudians will be named the champions and the overseas athletes will be All-Comers champions.”The championships will be held on June 15-16.