Young CAC squad flies out today

Following a two-day delay, 82 of the island's leading junior athletes will leave today to compete in the three-day Junior Central American and Caribbean (CAC) track and field championships which is scheduled to begin tomorrow in the Dominican Republic.

The team was expected to leave the island two days ago but there was a delay due to bad weather in host country and the unavailability of flights. The team is due to leave on an Air Jamaica charter flight.

Athletes will compete in both the Under-17 and Under-20 categories.

Outstanding thrower

Calabar High School's outstanding thrower, Chad Wright, will lead Jamaica's charge in the boys' under-20 following his double success, including a national junior record at the National Junior Championships in the shot put event two weeks ago. He will be hoping to continue his impressive season and lift his confidence ahead of this month's World Junior Championships. Good performances are also expected from Travis Smikle and Ashania Miller in the discus and shot put.

On the track, Old Harbour High's Kemar Bailey-Cole and Camperdown High's Brando Brady will be hoping to be among the medals in the 100 metres. Others expected to do well are middle distance king, Kemoy Campbell of Bellefield High who will compete in the 1500 metres, Jermaine Gayle in the 400 metres and Dwayne Extol in the 400 metres hurdles.

Wolmer's Boys sprinter Odeen Skeen, who has been outstanding all season and who was a double winner victor in the Under-17 category at the National Championships, is expected to continue his dominance here. He suffered a slight injury after completing his 200 metres victory but he is now back to full fitness.

Manchester High School's Natoya Goule will be the top Jamaican in the girls' Under-20 category. She is ranked number four on the world list at this level in the 800 metres and will be hoping for another good time to send a big signal before World Juniors. Edwin Allen High's Ristananna Tracy in the 400 metres hurdles, sprint hurdler Danielle Williams of The Queen's School and Holmwood Technical's 400m runner Janieve Russell should also do well.