Tonya Nero completed the 1500m/3000m double on the final day of action at the 49th Southern Games at Guaracara Park, Pierre-A-Pierre yesterday. The Athletic Central runner dominated the women's 3000m lapping the field to finish in 10 minutes 23.30 seconds, a long way ahead of Donicia Antoine (Toco Titans) 12:13.60 and Josanne Rojas (Petrotrin Palo Seco)12:21.46. Nero was among several double winners at the two-day meet.
Adel Colthrust (Southern Athletics) impressed the large crowd when he won the boys under 15 200m in 23.41 well ahead of Jaden St. Louis (Cougars - 24.41) and Daniel Hernandez (D'Abadie Progressive - 25.18). On Saturday Colthrust ran away with the 100m in 11.61.
Jenea Spinks (Neon Trackers) landed the sprint double in the Girls U15 category after she secured the 200m in 25.92 to add to the 100m on Saturday (12.86). Spinks relegated Aquilla St. Louis (D'Abadie Progressive - 26.36), as she did in the shorter sprint. 400m winner Kershelle Mc Intyre of Cougars was third in 26.66. The Memphis Pioneers pair of Jeminise Parris and Khadeem Campbell also won two events. Parris, who won the G U17 400m on the first day, added the 200m in 25.52 with Thyla-Marie Scott of Cougars (25.59) and club mate and 100m winner Jeunice Maxime 25.60 in the minor spots.
Campbell landed the Boys U17 200m in 22.49, dismissing the Pt. Fortin New Jets duo of Terry Fredrick (22.89) and Kashief King (23.01). Kamaria Durant (Simplex) was yet another double champ, capturing the 200m (24.50) from Kayelle Clarke (Petrotrin PAP) 25.17.
Former top national sprinter Angela Darceuil showed sparks of her old self when copping the women's masters 100m (13.96) and 200m (28.60). Her Defence Force colleague Philbert Ryce matched her, taking the Masters 100m (11.60) and 200m (23.34). American Sharif Webb held on his men's 800m title winning in 1:51.58 ahead of compatriot and 2011 winner Robert Novak (1:51.92).
T&T's Clifton Sylvester was third (1:54.53) just edging Olympic 400m hurdles finalist Jehue Gordon off the podium (1:54.61). On Saturday Gordon was second in the 400m in 48.24 behind Oral Thompson of Jamaica who retained his crown in 48.04. Sheldon Mitchell (Jamaica) held on to the men's 200m, getting to the line in 21.14 ahead of the 100m victor Antoine Adams (St. Kitts/Nevis) 21.47 and Brendon Christian (Antigua and Barbuda) 21.75. Kinike Alexander (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) ran away with the women's 200 (23.55), ahead of Jamaican Patricia Hall (23.85) and Michaylin Golladay of the USA (25.37).
Dawnell Collymore (Memphis) took the ladies two-lap event (2:19.56) to improve on her second in the 1500m.
Kenyans dominated the men's 5000m as Barnabas Kirui took top spot (15:10.13) ahead of compatriot and reigning double World Indoor Masters champion,
Geraldine George retained her women's javelin crown with a throw of 39.95 ahead of Darlene Lewis (39.42) and another reigning World Masters double gold medallist Gwendolyn Smith (39.36). Dwayne Herbert (Dovers) won his third straight men's long jump crown with a leap of 7.32, ahead of Carifta athlete Kevin Roberts (UTT) 6.87 and Atiba Wright (UTT) 6.82.