Sixteen young athletes have been chosen to represent Bermuda at the Carifta Games in Trinidad & Tobago next week.

The squad for the annual athletics competition set for April 19 to 21 was finalised following the final trials at Flora Duffy Stadium on Saturday, where Jake Smith became the last to qualify

Smith, who will compete in the 5,000 and 1,500 metres, joined fellow seasoned athletes, Denver Tucker and Miles Outerbridge in the squad.

With three-times Carifta medal-winner Jake Brislane setting the pace for the 5,000, Smith clocked 16min 43sec, three seconds short of the Carifta standard. However, his effort was not in vain.

Freddie Evans, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president, spoke on Smith’s inclusion.

“Jake Smith's inclusion in the Carifta team, despite narrowly missing the 5,000 qualifying standard by three seconds at the last chance meet, reflects the selectors’ recognition of his consistent dedication and potential,” Evans said.

“His recent performance, clocking 16:43.28 in the under-20 5,000 metres, demonstrates his commitment and capability. The selection committee believes that with continued support and experience, Jake will excel and make valuable contributions to the team.”

Smith was delighted that his last-ditch effort to qualify did not go unnoticed, with the 17-year-old eager to compete against the best blooming talent in the region.

“I am thrilled that I was selected to represent my country at the Carifta Games,” he said.

This opportunity will allow me to further develop my experience in the sport. I enjoy the competition that the Caribbean has to offer, there are many talented athletes that attend the games and it is a privilege to join them.

“I am grateful for the endless support of the Bermudian community, from the coaches, to the spectators, to the event organisers and journalists. We are very fortunate to have these opportunities to represent our country and show Bermuda to the world.”

Reflecting on his run on Saturday, the Butterfield Mile high school boys champion has a plan to bring his times down further.

“My most recent 5,000 qualification attempt was a 16:43, this was an improvement from my 16:50 I did a couple of weeks before,“ Smith said.

“The conditions were not ideal due to the light rain and wind making the humidity less tolerable, but I gave it my all. Jake Brislane’s pacing made a massive impact on my result, I was able to get within three seconds of the qualification time.

“In order to bring down my time in these coming weeks, I plan on incorporating more speed sessions. I’m also adding threshold sessions into my regime along with a more focused approach to my nutrition.

“This increased workload should raise my lactic threshold and VO2 max leading into the Carifta Games, allowing for my best possible performance.”

Brislane, Bermuda’s only medal-winner at the Carifta Games in Grenada last year, was delighted to play his part in Smith’s selection push.

“It feels great that pacing could help Jake hit a time that got him selected,” the 19-year-old said.

“Even though he just missed the standard, he was so close and gave it everything he had, so his selection was definitely earned.

“Now, he just needs to be consistent with his training, building more aerobic strength which will help him a lot in the 5,000. He also needs to do some speed work to target the 1,500.”

Meanwhile, the bulk of the squad members are training under coach DeVon Bean at Flora Duffy Stadium, ahead of the team’s departure next Wednesday.