by Brent Stubbs

X-TREME Track Club team-mates Benjamin Clarke, Christopher Johnson and Kyle Alcine surpassed the Bahamas Association of Athletic Association's qualifying mark in the high jump for the Carifta Games over the weekend at the T-Bird Flyers Track Meet.

The trio were joined by thrower Jordan Lewis and sprinters Devaughn Whymms and Devine Parker in going over the mark for the games scheduled for April 15-17 in Curacao.

Clarke soared 2 metres or 6-feet, 6 ¾-inches and Johnson did 1.90m (6-2 ¾) for first and second in the under-18 boys division to surpass and equal the qualifying mark of 1.90m (6-2 ¾).

And in the under-20 boys event, Alcine, home from school at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida, cleared 2.05m (6-8 ¾) to match the qualifying height. He also attempted 2.08m (6-9 ¾), but fell short.

"I came a bit late and so I had to catch up,” Alcine said. “Last year, I qualified, but I was left off the team by one centimeter so this year I hope I can redeem myself and make the team."

Clarke, a 15-year-old student of St Augustine's College, said he definitely don't want to miss the trip.

"We all train together and we know everybody can jump, so it was good to come home and get this chance to compete with them. I hope that we can all go to Curacao in 2017."

“It was a good competition. I just felt like I needed to hold my phrases a little longer,” said Clarke of his performance. “My approach was much smoother, but I just have to go back to the drawing board and brush up on a few things and by the Carifta trials, I should do my very best.”

Johnson, an 11th grader at Queen’s College, said he didn’t want to get left out of the excitement within their club, headed by coach Keno Demeritte.

"It feels good because I did it last year, so it’s good to come back and do it again,” Johnson said. “I just really have to work on my approach and my arch. Once I get them down pack, I should be ready to go.”

Lewis had to go to the University of the Bahamas playing field to attain his standard because the newly renovated infield at the stadium was not available for the athletes to compete on at the meet.

Lewis, representing the Blue Chip Throwers Club, tossed the under-18 boys discus 47.62m (156-2) to also qualify.

Whymms of Club Monica and St Augustine's College won the under-128 boys 100 metres in 10.79 seconds to qualify for Carifta. He also claimed the 200m title in 21.97 and the long jump with 6.61m.

Parker of Bahamas High Performance and St Anne’s High School qualified in winning the under-18 girls 200m in 24.47.