‘Linden’ conquers ‘Nationals’ again
Upper Demerara/ Kwakwani (District 10) better known simply as ‘Linden’ came, saw and conquered once again.
The gold and black clad outfit retained the coveted ‘Champions of Champions’ Trophy when the 59th edition of ‘Nationals’ concluded last night at the National Track and Field Centre.
During the six-day event, District 10 amassed 68 points to relegate former champions, District 11 (59 points) on the backs of several gold medal and record breaking performances by some of the nation’s best budding swimming, cycling and track stars.
It was the District’s 18th overall win and fifth in a row.
The host, District 3 (West Demerara) placed third overall close behind with 52 points.
Nevertheless, despite not winning the overall title, North Georgetown once again made big splashes in the pool and emphatically won the Swimming Championships with 446 points.
Corentyne (288 points) was victorious in the Cycling segment of the event. ‘Linden’ however was the runaway champs in the Track and Field segment with 786 points.
As the teams take home hardware for their collective efforts of the pupils and teachers, there were some athletes who had exceptional individual performances.
They included champion boys and girls in their respective categories, Nicholloyd Cameron, Attoya Harvey, Deshana Skeete and other record breakers like Loneil Marks, Anisha Gibbons, Wesley Tyndall, Keliza Smith, Eron Leitch, Shaquka Tyrell and Princess Browne.
Up to press time, a total of 44 new records were recorded with many more to be added by the Track and Field athletes. Ten of them were by teachers. Eight of the 34 records broken by the students were on the track while all the teachers records were in the field.
The well attended event concluded under the floodlights in the presence of Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, Head of the Political Division of the Ministry of the Presidency, Frederick McWilfred, President of the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU), Mark Lyte, Marcel Hutson 200m record holder, Loneil Marks, anchored District 5 to a comefrom-behind win in the 4x100m final.
(Chief Education Officer) and other notable attendees.
Next year, the event will celebrate its 60th year, and according to General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald, it could potentially be switched to Linden or New Amsterdam once the synthetic facilities in those towns are completed.