Tonya Nero delivered Trinidad and Tobago’s first ever individual medal at the NACAC Cross Country Championships when she finished second in the senior women’s 6K race at this year’s event at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday. Nero was pipped by Liz Castello of the USA and prevented an American sweep of the medals. In the three-lap event which started and ended in front of Queen’s Royal College, the 24-year-old looked relaxed throughout. Castello took the lead with Nero in second in the final lap which took the runners northwards; down into the Hallows and east along the Botanical Gardens then turning southwards back to the starting point. Coming to the final bend, Nero was passed by Laura Thweatt but recovered to sprint past the American to take an historic second place.

Fourteen-year-old Donicia Antoine took tenth place (26:40:89) while the other local entrants Thias Gutierrez (27:32:90) was 11th and 16-year-old Mickayla Ottley, 12th (28:51:22) The national ladies team also collected silver which was an improvement on the bronze won in 2010 and 2011. Speaking after her performance, Nero said her plan was to stay with the Americans as long as possible. “As the race progressed I got a little worried because I felt I was dropping back but I told myself I had to keep going. When I saw Castello go past, I realised she had more speed but as Thewatt got by me, I had enough left to battle her and get the second place.” A Wichita State University graduate, Nero said she was grateful for the home support. “It made a big difference. I felt encouraged and welcomed. They were very supportive during the race.” Nero’s next competition is the Rotterdam marathon in Holland on April 15 where she is hoping to get under the Olympic qualification standard of 2:43:00.


Nero improved on her 19th place in her previous NACAC cross country appearance in 2007 when she ran in the junior women’s 4K event. Her silver medal placing also previous best finish by a local woman: 11th by Samantha Shukla in the 2010 event at Mt Irvine, Tobago. Jules La Rode was the top local in the senior men’s 8K run taking 11th spot in 26:44:96. Taking the gold was Canadian Cameron Levins (24:04:13) whose win prevented a USA sweep of the individual races. Levins improved on his second place finish in 2011. Americans Christopher Landry (24:10:61), Elliot Krause, Josh Simpson and Jeff Shirmer all followed. Curtis Cox was 26th (27:24:49), with Mathew Hagley (27th-28:11:95), Roland Bartholomew (28th-28:37:08) and Kenroy Pierre (29th-31:36:46) finished next. The top Caribbean finisher was Damion Bent of Jamaica who was 14th. The men’s squad missed out on medaling, finishing fourth behind USA, Canada and Jamaica.


National junior cross country winner Akeem Marshall led the way for the local runners in the junior men’s 6K crossing the line in 27th in 20:04:58 as America took the top two spots. Jace Lowry won in a time of 8:50:85 ahead of Adam Bruan (18:54:02) with Benjamin Flanagan of Canada third. Double Carifta champion Nicholas Landeau ended in 25th (20:11:21). T&T’s other entrants were: Jevon Joseph (33rd-21:59:32), Travis Diaz (34th-22:19:98), Kyle Johnson (35th-22:38:81) and Sowande Jackson (37th-23:22:43). The junior men’s team placed 5th with the USA capturing the gold from Canada, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

-Clayton Clarke

Source: www.guardian.co.tt