coast to compete in the Florida Relays at the University of Florida.

A party of 14 will represent Bermuda at the meet, which started last night and runs through to Saturday.

Veteran middle-distance runner Steven Burgess will lead the contingent, which contains youngsters ranging from age 12 to 17. Kris Hedges is set to be the youngest competitor at the meet as a part of the distance medley relay team where he will run the first leg -- 400 metres.

"The main objective is to give them exposure in a big meet competing against the best high school athletes in the US, there'll be over 5,000 spectators on hand,'' said Burgess, who last year similarly carried some youngsters to the Penn Relays and had a team win a silver medal in the 4x400 relay. "Not everyone can make CARIFTA so this meet is an ideal opportunity for those who cannot make the standard to be in a meet.'' Travelling for the first time to an overseas event is promising sprinter and long jumper Keena Trott.

The 17-year-old Berkeley Institute student has a personal best of 24.4 seconds for the 200, one of three races in which she will contest. Other events for her include the 400 as well as the 4x100 relay.

"It'll make me faster and be a good experience going up against other people,'' said Trott, who is also taking care of business in the classroom and has been offered a scholarship to Seton Hall University. "I just want to go there and do my best.'' Trott comes from good sporting lineage with her father, (Delwyn Trott) a fine sprinter in his day while brothers Mark and Roger have made their mark on the cricket pitch.

"My parents have really pushed me...I've been running all my life.'' The main aim of Quennel Robinson, 17, this week will be to show that he belongs as he makes his rounds in the 3,000 and medley relay -- fourth leg 1,600.

Although his main event is the 3,000, Robinson has struggled to get under the CARIFTA qualifying time of 4:15 for the 1,500, last weekend missing the mark by 1.9 seconds.

He has lofty goals both professionally, where he hopes to become an aerodynamics mechanical engineer, and athletically, saying: "I hope to gain international recognition, which I could use to help further my education, maybe in the form of a scholarship.'' Meanwhile, other Harriers members Sharif Taylor, 16, and Keivon Richardson , 17 -- Richardson is not making this particular trip, but has qualified for CARIFTA -- are both set to attend Governor Domor Academy in Boston come September.

Both were at last year's Penn Relays and have made vast improvements over the past year.

"My self-esteem is much higher now,'' said Richardson. "I feel encouraged and have more confidence...all the hard work is finally starting to pay off.'' Yet another shining star is Atiba Tucker, specialising in the shorter distances -- 100, 200, 400.

This lanky 16-year-old placed seventh in the 200 final at the 1992 CARIFTA Games but is seeking gold this time around when he makes the trip to Martinique.

He is likewise anxious to get into a prep school and from there attain a scholarship to a recognised four-year institution.

Said Burgess: "I just hope everyone performs to the best of their ability.'' The team returns to the Island on Sunday after the completion of the event.

HOPEFUL YOUNGSTERS -- The Hamilton Harriers, who left yesterday to compete in the Florida Relays under the tutelage of coach Steven Burgess.