Discus thrower Tiara DeRosa is determined to end her season on a high at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association Senior Championships.

The 24-year-old is part of the ten-member Bermuda team competing at the event in Freeport, Bahamas, scheduled to start today.

Fresh from representing the island at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England earlier this month, DeRosa will once again be aiming to better her personal best of 48.89 metres and finally surpass the 50 metres mark.

“This is my last event for the season and so I’m hoping to go out on a high and finally try and reach that 50-metre mark,” she said.

“Having another proper competition is very important. As the only thrower on the island it’s nice to have that competitive action and experience as opposed to just being me and the measuring tape.”

DeRosa admitted her debut at the Commonwealth Games proved to be valuable learning experience after conceding to feeling like a “little fish in a big pond” among a stellar field inside the Alexander Stadium.

Having fouled her first attempt, De Rosa went on throw 42.86, before setting a best distance of 45.79 in her third and final attempt.

Nigeria’s Chioma Onyekwere went on to claim gold with a throw of 61.70, ahead of Jade Lally, of England, who set a best distance of 58.42 and compatriot Obiageri Amaechi, who completed the podium places with 56.99.

While still not entirely satisfied with her performance, the Bermudian athlete has taken the positives of a invaluable experience, including how to better focus, having admitted to allowing the atmosphere and occasion of the Games get to her nerves.

“My expectations for this event are to try and give a better performance than I did at the Commonwealth Games,” she added.

“From the Games I learnt that I need to be a little bit more focused with my mental state and try not to get too shaken up.

“I also need to work on my technique a bit more to give myself more drive down the circle.”

DeRosa will be joined by Commonwealth Games team-mates Jah-Nhai Perinchief, who won a bronze medal in the triple jump, middle-distance runner Dage Minors and high jumper Sakari Famous.

Sprinter Caitlyn Bobb was also selected for the team but opted to withdraw in favour of resting and continuing her recovery from a tweaked hamstring in Birmingham.

A number of athletes will also be making their senior level competition debuts with, with sprinters Antonio Bailey and Suresh Black selected along with long jumper Mikal Dill and middle-distance runner Ryan Outerbridge.

Keturah Bulford-Trott, a sophomore sprinter at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Shayla Cann, make up the rest of the squad.