The NCAA D1 track and field Championships being held in Eugene, Oregon at the historic Hayward Field of the campus of University of Oregon is now in its second day.

Among the competitors on Day 1 is Bahamian sprinter Teray Smith. Teray was busy yesterday assisting his university’s 4x100m relay team (Auburn University) to advance to the finals with the fastest time.

Teray who battled injuries last year wasn’t finished competing as he later competed in the men’s 200 meters where once again, he advanced into the finals with a time of 20.36.

How does this talented athlete feel after such a successful day?  “I am feeling pretty good. The 4 x 100 came in and we got the job done; we came in with the fastest time and we are heading into the finals with the fastest time. I completed in the 200 meters and came out with the 2ndfastest time of the season.”

Teray is trained by his uncle Henry Rolle and certainly since that coaching, he has seen marked improvements. “My uncle is hard and he does not play. Not because he is my family I get away with everything, he is very tough but since my training with him, I have been running a lot of fast times this year and I am thankful for it,” says the grateful athlete.

We know that Teray would continue to do well at these championships as well as in the future. So what are his plans for the future? “I thank God I was able to run here and get ready for senior Nationals. My biggest goal for the season is to break Michael Mathieu’s record of 20.17.”

From Teray’s performances on Day 1, we know that he will achieve that goal. “I am so excited I made it to the top 8 fastest 200m. This is very big to be in the top 8 fastest with hundredth of athletes having competed. Only the other guy from Trinidad and myself are representing the Caribbean so that shows you.”

Bahamas Athletics wishes Teray all the best in its athletics career!