The Bermuda Pacers Track Club returned home this week with 28 medals from the 2019 Russell E. Blunt East Coast Invitational Track Meet. Competing in over 100-degree temperatures for three days, the 25-member team won 10 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 9 bronzes medals.
In addition to the medal haul, the 9-10 girls won their age division. The pacers boys and girls team placed 4th overall. In the combined team scores the club placed 4th making it the seventh straight year that the club has finished in the top five. Over 1,200 athletes representing 88 teams from across the United States competed in the event.
“The performance of the athletes under the scorching condition totally surpassed the expectations of head coach, Cal Simons, and the coaching staff. This year’s team was a mixture of experienced and first-time athletes. Seven of the athletes competed at this years’ Carifta Games, nine of them had competed before, and nine where making their debut appearance.
Johndell Cumberbatch competing in the 17-18 boy’s division was the toast of the team winning 3 gold medals in the 3000, 1500, and 800 metres. While winning the 1500 and 800 metre events, Cumberbatch collected the Inaugural Dr. Brenda Armstrong Award for the 1500 metres and the Russell E. Blunt Award for the 800 metres. In addition to these awards, Johndell was selected the Outstanding Athlete for the 17 – 18 boys division.
Other double gold medal winners where Sancho Smith in the 15 -16 boys high jump and 1500 metres and Jezhari Talbot in the 15-16 girls, 800 and 1500 metres respectively. Single gold medal performances came from Kahzi Sealey in the 15-16 boys 3000 metres, Jeada Grant in the 11-12 girls 3000 metres , and Riana Robinson in the 8 & under girls 800 metres.
Winning silver medals for the Pacers were, Ryan Outerbridge in the 17 -18 boys, 3000 and 1500 metres, , J’auza James in the 13-14 boys 1500 metres, Denver Tucker in the 13-14 boys long jump, Ellise Dickinson and Jeada Grant in the 11-12 girls 800 and 1500 metres respectively, Zakhya Scott in the 8 & under girls 100 and 200 metres. LaShee Jones 9-10 Girls 200 metres and the 9-10 girls 4 X 400 metre team consisting of LaShee Jones, Azari Jones, Amaris Munya and Day’ash Dill
Winning bronze medals for team were, Zakhya Scott in the 8&under girls 400 metres, Shaniyah Smith-Daniels in the 9-10 girls long jump, Amaris Munya in the 9-10 girls 1500 metres, Azari Jones in the 9-10 girls 800 metres, Jeada Grant in the 11-12 girls, 1500 metres, Sanaa Rae Morris in the 15-16 girls 400 metres. J’auza Jame 13-14 boys high jump, and Sancho Smith and Kahzi Sealey in the 15-16 boys 800 and 1500 metres respectively. The club also had 5 athletes finish in 8th place, 5 in 5th place and 8 in 6th.
This event marks the completion of an outstanding year for the club as they competed in the AAU National Cross-Country Championships in Knoxville Tennessee, The Armory Indoor Championships in New York and the 2019 Flying Angels Track Club International Age Group Championships in Toronto Canada.
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