US based Athletes Show Promise On Indoor Circuit
Dominica’s U.S based athletes are producing amazing results for the 2020 indoor season.
Staten Island, NY- Thea Lafond, Dominica’s 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist proved her class at the 2020 UAlbany Winter Classic. Lafond leaped to a whopping 14.33 meters in the women’s triple jump to win by a 2.24 meter margin whilst establishing an indoor personal best. Her mark did not only qualify her for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but it currently ranks 21st internationally. The performance by no doubt has garnered the attention of the international Track and Field world.
Lafond expressed both excitement and relief as it was her first time jumping in 2020 and on her very first jump qualifying for 2020 Olympics. “It’s a feeling of utter thanks,” she shared. It was an emotional moment for Thea especially after recovering from an ankle injury that hampered her participation at the 2019 World Championships in Athletics. Her focus is now on jumping even further.
Maryville, Montana- The 2020 Bearcat Open saw freshman phenom Floyd Pond blaze to an incredible 6.73 seconds in the final of the men’s 60m dash. The jaw dropping performance topped the high quality field of 31 athletes and is currently the 5th best in the NJCAA. It’s also the 2nd best in program history and his second straight 60m win for the season.
Pond came back to prove his consistency by winning his 200m heat in 22.29 and 22.26 in the finals. Having posted top marks his focus in now on the NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Pittsburgh, Kansas on March 2nd & 3rd.
Boston, MA- Dominica’s senior sprinter Danielson Mahautiere continues to lay down impressive sprinting times in the 200m. He ran an indoor personal best of 21.95 seconds to finish 7th at the Boston University Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White Invite. Mahautiere’s 200m performance combined with his recent 6.89 seconds in the 60m has positioned him as a top-ranked sprinter for the University Of South Florida Bulls. The young Dominican has been experiencing a healthy surge in confidence having
achieved such accomplishments.
Seattle, WA- Rising star Tristan James finished runner up in a dramatic long jump final at the 2020 UW Invitational. In his first competition for the 2020 season, James created quite a show by leading for the majority of the competition. He posted two straight jumps over 7.60 meters with 7.69 meters as his best for the competition. His best jump was only 11 centimeters shy of the winning jump and good enough to beat Damarcus Simpson (NIKE professional athlete). There is no doubt that James will better the 8 meter mark this season. The Olympic qualifying mark in the Long Jump is 8.22 meters but it’s within reach if the former duck can build on his performances. It’s an easy conclusion to come to, but James’ season is off to a great start.
Columbia, SC- Former Olympians Athletics Club standout Derick St. Jean posted a time of 48.58 seconds in the 400m at the Carolina Challenge. His mark was good enough to finish top ten in a very talented field. The event was won by Adidas professional athlete Kyle Clemons in 46.67 seconds. It’s not exactly the performance St. Jean aimed to achieve but it bettered his performance from last season’s first 400m. St. Jean next competition is on Sunday February 16-17 at the JDL Fast Track in Winston Salem. He will return on the track to defend his 400m conference title at the CIAA Track and Field Championships.
New York, NY- Zellie Charles, a senior at Towson University jumped a seasons best in the Long Jump at the Towson Tiger Invitational. Charles recorded a mark of 5.84 meters in the long jump for a 4th place finish. The jump qualified her for the 2020 D1 ECAC Championships surpassing the provisional mark of 5.60 meters. Additionally, Charles’ performance is the third best in school history and currently ranks 2nd for the lady tigers. She will contest the 60m dash and Long Jump at the 2020 David Hemery Valentine Invitational on February 14-15th.