media_artricles :: 2013

Nero 11th at NACAC cross country

Trinidad and Tobago athletes failed to get among the medals at the 9th North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Cross Country Championships held at the Manchester Golf Club, Mandeville, Jamaica on Saturday.

Tonya Nero was the best local finisher taking eleventh spot in the women’s 6K event in 22:52. Nero was second in last year’s race held at the Queen’s Park Savannah, and was this country’s best hope for a medal.

Nero had gold in her sights but was out-paced by her North American rivals. Canadians Natasha Fraser (21.07) and Rachel Cliff (21.35) took the top two spots with Beverly Ramos of Puerto Rico (21.48) in third.

The NAAA’s most outstanding female cross country and road runner for 2012, was the top regional finisher and was the lone T&T female to make the trip to Jamaica. Canada took the team title ahead of the USA, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

In the men’s 8K event, Richard Jones was the best local crossing the line in 17th (27.22). He was ahead of Matthew Hagley (20th-27.55), Jules La Rode (22nd-28:34), two-time national champion Denzil Ramirez (23rd-28:45) and Kendis Bullard (25th-30:06). La Rode had the honour of competing in his sixth NACAC championship. Defending champion Cameron Levins of Canada was beaten into second (24:47) by American Forys Craig (24:46). Another Canadian Kelly Wiebe took third (25:04). Bermuda’s Lamont Marshall was the top Caribbean finisher (15th-26:55). The local men missed out a team medal taking fourth place behind the USA, Canada and Jamaica.

In the junior men’s 6K, national champion Akeem Marshall led the local contingent finishing 24th (21:32) with multiple Carifta gold medallist Mark London (26th-21:43), Jevon Joseph (29th-23:13), Ashton Gill (30th-23:13) and Ramario Rodriguez (32nd-24:00) following behind. Mexicans Edgar Garcia (19:10) and Victor Montanez (19:16) finished first and third with Estevan de La Rosa of the USA (19:13) in second. Host runner Herbert Thomas was the best placed among the Caribbean runners (17th-20:29). T&T was fifth in the team race behind Canada, USA, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

T&T had no entrants in the junior women’s 4K race. The national contingent was set to return home yesterday.

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