By Christopher Osborne

Avid fans and parent supporters’ cheers echoed within the walls of the world class new Thomas A. Robinson stadium, which housed some 700 plus athletes who competed in record-timing events at the 25th T.B. Flyers Classic, January 13 and 14, 2017.

The aunt and guardian of a young Swift athlete, Jacky Bullard-Woodside, and first time devoted parent supporter said “this was a first for me to be here and see the many athletes compete. I really enjoyed this,” said Woodside, as she braced the cool northern breeze sitting on the western side of the stadium.  

Franklyn Rolle, a grandparent and supporter of his granddaughter, Carlisle Deveaux, was pleased to attend the first track and field event for 2017.  “It’s awesome and nice to be here, to see young aspiring athletes” in competition,” he said.   

As coaches prowled near the track to engage their runners and alert officials of any athlete who were mistakenly removed from the competitive list, two outstanding and competitive clubs, Club Monica and Fast Forward rallied hard to clinch first spot in this annual “well attended” meet.

The juggernaut force of Fast Forward supporters and proud parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sean and Melissa Adderley were elated to see their daughters contending for first spot in their specified events.  Adderley said “I am pleased with the work that Fast Forward coach, Everett Fraser, assistant coach, Christian Knowles and others, are doing with our daughters, Zoë and Koi.  “They teach our children about determination and having a strong drive towards a goal.  Our daughters really enjoy the competition, and so do we” said Adderley.

In the Under 10 Girls, 100 yards event, Zoë Adderley competed and placed first, while Koi Adderley competed in the Under 12, 100 yards event and clinched third place.  “We feel good being a part of something constructive and positive” said Sean Adderley.

Securing and making certain that each athlete were present on the track for their events, Fast Forward Athletics head coach, Everett Fraser noted that “the meet and the competition were very good.” In fact, he emphasized, “some areas I was surprise” by the team’s performance; and” I was satisfied that they competed, which was important. Overall, I was pleased.”  

Also, the Queens College coach noted that Fast Forward Track Club has supported and participated in this classic since its inception (25 years ago) and “I am gratified with the attendance of this event.”  

Assistant coach and native Long Islander, Christian Knowles said that Fast Forward “as a team, was in full support for competition. It was good to see athletes being challenged, getting good test or not so good test in their events. This was a true representation of who practiced and who did not practice.”

Additionally, for students graduating this year, Fraser noted that Fast Forward’s specific goal projection for 2017 is “to get their student athletes scholarships to further their education.”

“At present, the team is just building and developing the right way. Our goal is not to pressure them. However, we want our young athletes to have fun, love and respect the sport, as well as to be disciplined and focus; love it and last long in the sport,” he said.  

Swift Athletic Track Club Andrew Tynes was more than pleased that this occasion gave his athletes the opportunity to compete and become adjusted to running on the world class stadium. However, on the other hand, he noted that “all stakes at hand in handling the event…, their hearts were not in it as they should be,” said Tynes, who further noted that the event “has always been successful in the past.”  

Further, Tynes was pleased, that outstanding student athlete, Samson Colebrooke, made his presence felt and competed in the 100, 200, and 400 events.   Colebrooke is a top, strong contending athlete who ran at the University of Kansas Invite and placed third.

Club Monica Athletics, also a power track house at the 2017 ‘Classic’ event, did not hesitate to make their presence felt.  While head coach Dianne Woodside supported and secured her athletes in fielding events at the University of Bahamas field, her assistant, Beverly Whyte kept Club Monica’s athletes on target and in place at the Thomas A. Robinson stadium.   Whyte noted that the (T. Bird Flyer’s Track and Field Classic) “was a good meet…and we need a little improvement here and there.”

The 38 track and field clubs that participated were namely: host T.B. Flyers, University of The Bahamas, Ambassador Athletic Club, Another Level Track Club, Bahamas High Performance Athletics, Bahamas National Sports Athletics, Bahamas Speed Dynamics, Beginners Track Club, Blue Chip Athletics, C.I. Gibson High School, Club Monica Athletics, C.R. Walker High School, Dtsp Wolfpack, Fast Forward Athletics, Hurry Murray Athletics, Jumpers Inc., Kids Athletics Academy, Kingsway Academy, Leap of Faith, Phoenix Track Club, Power Athletics, Quick Step, Road Runners Track Club, Runners Athletics, Silver Lightning, Speed Kids, Star Trackers T& F Club, Sun Blazers, Swift Athletics, Throwers Club, Triple Threat Throwers Club, TWD Athletics, Unattached, Unattached Thompson and, X-Treme Athletics.