Tobago athletes began their quest for a 25th straight zonal national title by capturing nine gold medals yesterday, the first day of action at the 2015 National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
Leading the way for Tobago were Safiya John (Scarborough Secondary) and Asha James (Signal Hill Secondary) both of whom won two gold medals each. John captured the girls under 16 80m hurdles in 12.87 seconds ahead her Tobago team-mate Schrese Trim (Signal Hill Secondary) 14.46.
John, last year's top female athlete of the meet, then secured the high jump crown with a distance of 1.55. Carifta girls under 18 javelin silver medallist James completed a throws double with victories in the girls under 18 discus (24.40m) and javelin (43.40). Anson Moses (boys under 16 100m hurdles-15.95), Anya Akili (girls under 16 100m hurdles-15.45), Aaron Lewis (boys under 20 110m hurdles-14.71), Tehealia Kennedy (girls under 14 shot put-9.61), Kimoi Noray (girls under 16 javelin-31.41), Chevelle McPherson (girls under 18 long jump-4.99) and Omari Benoit (boys over 18 high jump-2.00) were all winners for Tobago.
The defending champions also won four silver and six gold medals to total 18 medals before the start of the 100m, 400m and 1500m which are set for later in the day. Port-Of-Spain led the charge among the other zones with wins by Jeminise Parris (St Francois Girls), Clement Campbell (QRC), Kobe John (St Anthony's), Shaquille Singuineau (QRC).
Carifta bronze medallist Parris ran away with the girls under 20 100m hurdles (14.55) while Clement was crowned the boys under 18 long jump champ (6.48) to add to Carifta bronze medal. John took the boys under 18 110m hurdles (14.90) with Singuineau landing the boys over 18 shot put-15.02).
The meet got off to a late start as the officials waited for the sound system to get the opening ceremony underway.
The 100m, 400m, 1500m 4x100m finals as well as the boys under 18 javelin and boys under 20 long jump, girls under 20 shot put were all due to completed on the first day.
Action continues today, from 9:00am with the 200m, 800m, 400m, 4x400m, 1500m walk, 3000m, 500m, long jump (G & B U14), Javelin (G O18), Long jump (G U16), Long jump (B U16), Discus (B O18), Shot (G U18), Triple jump (B U18).