Bermudians among top spots in CACAC rankings
More than a dozen local track and field stars featured in the Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation (CACAC) final rankings for 2012.The list of top athletes in their respective events was released recently with a host of Bermudians among those from the region whose performances throughout the campaign warranted recognition.Aaron Evans and Tyrone Smith were the highest ranked Bermudians, Smith ranking sixth in long jump and Evans holding down the same spot in the 800 metres.Ashley Berry was the highest local female, claiming fourth in the 3,000 metres while long jumper Arantxa King ended the year sixth.Bermuda National Athletics Association (BNAA) president Donna Watson said she was excited about the news and believed it was just the tip of the iceberg for local athletes as they enter 2013.“We are very excited and proud to have so many of our athletes ranked in their specific events in the CACAC region,” she said. “That is no easy feat but shows that our programme is working and we are seeing progress in the sport of track and field.“It is even more exciting for us to have some of our junior athletes listed as this ranking is not based on age but the athletes’ overall in the sport of track and field in our region.”Youngsters such as Shaquille Dill and Kyrah Scraders made a name for themselves in 2012, with a silver medal showing in the 800 and 1,500 metres respectively at last year’s Carifta Games in Bermuda.With a wealth of talent ready to burst onto the international scene, Watson said she was expecting great things for 2013.“To have Shaquille, who is in his 20th year, making the 800 metres list and of course Kyrah Scraders who is only 16 making an adult rankings list . . . this bodes well for us and I am looking for even greater things from our track and field athletes in 2013.”Names, events and rankings of athletes:MalesTyrone Smith — Long Jump, 6thAaron Evans — 800m, 6thShaquille Dill — 800m, 20thLamont Marshall — 1500m, 12thFemalesArantxa King — Long Jump, 8thJasmine Brunson — Triple Jump, 21stArantxa King — Triple Jump, 22ndTaylor Ashley Bean — 800m, 39thKyrah Scraders — 800m, 49thAshley Berry — 1500m, 31stTaylor Ashley Bean — 1500m, 54thAshley Berry — 3000m, 4thTaylor Ashley Bean — 3000m, 8thZakiyyah Showers — 3000m, 20thShianne Smith — Heptathlon, 18th