Bernard determined to take throwing events to next level

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica's junior record holder, Candecia Bernard, was very disappointed with her performance at the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) National Senior Trials at the National Stadium yesterday.

She registered a throw of 45.03 metres to take the women's discus, but the mark, though good enough to see her better the qualifying level of 43.0m for the senior Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC), was well short of her personal best.

"I am actually trying to qualify for CAC senior team last week I qualified for CAC juniors and I actually made the team," said Bernard.

Bernard whose personal best is 48.71m is of the view that she is currently out of shape.

"I feel really, really sad; I don't feel good about it. I am not feeling like I am in shape right now, but time will tell."

Determined to do well

She is, however, determined to do well, starting with the CAC Juniors which will be held in Santo Domingo, July 2-4 as she feels the future of throwing is on her shoulders.

"I am going to work hard because I really want to show my country that throwing is going somewhere and if I am not doing it, we are basically going backwards," said Bernard. "I am going to go to CAC Juniors and I am going to do my best and go for a personal record and make my country proud."

The former St Hugh's High student who will be in action again today in the shot put is very passionate about taking Jamaica's throwing to the next level.

Bernard said: "It is like something very, very new to our country because no one looks at throwing, so the passion is there to always do better."Bernard will be looking to move on to college overseas and has already received offers from Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina and South Carolina.