Landeau, Gordon, Phillip star at 2009 Southern GamesBy WALTER ALIBEY Monday, March 22 2010
NICHOLAS LANDEAU and Jehue Gordon continued to dominate the track on the final day of the Southern Games at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre yesterday.
And top TT cyclist Njisane Phillip also continued his winning ways, now officially in the Trinidad and Tobago team.
On Saturday, Phillip rode for Sonics as he was a late entrant to the championships.
But yesterday, Phillip claimed the gold medal in the 1,000-metres event for international cyclists.
In the 1,000 metres, Phillip skilfully shaded Elisha Greene, who led for most of the race, and with about 150 metres to go, the Pan Am triple gold medallist sped past his countryman for the victory.
Earlier in the day, Landeau followed up his victory in the 400 metres on Saturday by leading the field in the boys’ Under-17 800 metres.
Landeau of Air Bon Sonics, clocked two minutes 4.59 seconds, ahead of Elroy Serapio of Toco TAFAC (2.09.66) while Kyle Paul was third in 2.11.48.
In the men’s 800 metres, Gordon withstood the challenge of Rob Nowak of the United States from stealing the gold medal. The Memphis Pioneers athlete, who made a name for himself at last year’s IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, where he finished fourth in the men’s 400m hurdles, won yesterday’s race in 1.53.32, with Nowak trailing in 1.53.50.
Jamil Walcott was third in 1.57.66.
In the women’s 800m, seasoned campaigner Melissa De Leon made light work of the field by taking an early lead to the finish, in a time of 2.11.80. Jessica James was next in 2.21.47, followed by Dawnel Collymore in 2.23.05.
In the boys’ version, Neon Trackers’ Sterling Paul raced to victory ahead of Dillon Thomas and Karime Morris.
Meanwhile, Geraldine George of Petrotrin, Palo Seco, completed a throw of 42.85 metres to claim the women’s javelin gold. Her team- mate Gwendolyn Smith (37.59m) was second while Dovers’ Darlene Lewis (36.19m) was third. And, in the men’s long jump, Seon Michael Stafford of Toco TAFAC leapt a distance of 7.26m for the top spot. Dwayne Herbert was second, followed by Akil Farrell-Jones.
Darvin Sandy of Abilene Wildcats powered himself to gold in the boys’ Under-17s 200m in 22.48 seconds. He was followed by Quantum’s Machel Cedeno in 22.76 while Jamal Smith received the bronze in 23.08 for Memphis Pioneers.
In the girls’ Under-17 half-lap, Onika Murray of Quantum sped to gold in 25.53, ahead of Dominique Williams from Burnley (25.65) and Ayoka Cummings from Neon Trackers (26.06).
