Athletes Dominate During ATLIB Track and Field Championship

Good evening and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday! I’m Paul Lopez, and tonight we kick things off with highlights from Saturday’s 2025 ATLIB Track and Field Championship at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. The event saw fierce competition from athletes representing five tertiary institutions: Galen University, the University of Belize, SJCJC, Wesley Junior College, and Independence Junior College. The day started with an exciting three-kilometer race for the female athletes, setting the tone for a day full of thrilling performances.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Roxy Lemus, sporting bright orange shorts for Galen University, took off with determination. Hot on her heels were Elisha Rash and Huzyra Cho from the University of Belize. As the race progressed, with five and a half laps down and two to go, Rash and Lemus managed to lap Cho. Heading into the final lap, Rash was in the lead, with Lemus right behind her. In a thrilling finish, Rash kicked it up a notch and crossed the finish line fifteen seconds ahead of Lemus, clocking in at thirteen minutes and twenty-seven seconds.

 

Elisha Rash, U.B. Athlete

“My strategy was to keep up with the first runner and save more energy with myself and then the last lap two laps use the energy you have saved up.”

 

Next up was the men’s five-kilometer race. Three determined runners took their positions at the starting line: Cayden Flowers and Wilmer Cal from the University of Belize, and Neptali Balam from Galen. Balam struggled early on and was lapped a few times by Flowers and Cal. As the race neared its end, Flowers dug deep and unleashed a final burst of energy, breaking away from the pack. He crossed the finish line in first place, showcasing his endurance and determination.

 

Cayden Flowers, U.B. Athlete

“The strategy, everyone has their own strategy. Waiting for the last few laps is the safest, because you could finally see where you opponents are. My colleague Wilmer Cal is very strong. I just came out pushed and see what my best capabilities are.”

 

Flowers crossed the finish line with a time of twenty minutes and ten seconds. Now, let’s move on to the thrilling female hundred-meter sprint. Despite only six runners signing up, the race was split into two heats due to the track’s condition—only five of the eight lanes were usable, with the others deteriorating over the past year. In the first heat, Jade Sanker sprinted to victory with a time of 14.66 seconds. The second heat featured crowd favorites Kendal Morgan and Nayasha Harris in an exciting faceoff. Nayasha ultimately claimed the gold medal, finishing with an impressive time of 12.50 seconds. Morgan secure

 

Nayasha Harris, SJCJC Athlete

“My mindset is well confident. I know I was supposed to run the race extremely good. I have been practicing during the week and weekends with my coach Mr. Evans and Ms. Carr.”

 

And then came the male one-hundred-meter sprint. This one was executed in a similar fashion, two heats with the winner being determined based on finish time. Donovan Grinage from U.B. took the first heat with a time of eleven point twenty-one seconds. He was followed closely by Dante Green from IJC with twelve point three seconds. But the gold medalist came from the second heat. Of the four runners, Gary Neal executed an exceptional sprint and finished well ahead of his opponents with a time of eleven point nine seconds, securing the gold medal.

 

Gary Neal, U.B. Athlete

“Ever since I was a toddler I had a passion for running. I used to runway to the roadside when I do something wicked.”

 

The male and female shotput competitions took place just across from the running track. Each male competitor had three attempts to throw the shot, and in the end, it was Steven Sylvester who clinched the gold with the farthest throw.

 

Steven Sylvester, SJCJC Athlete

“The win feel really great. I came out here expecting a top three and I came out with the gold. I have to thank God, because God come first. Without God I neva mih wah the yah.”

 

And finally, from the track and field championship, the four hundred-meter women’s race saw an all-out sprint to the finish line between Leanne Segura, Kendal Morgan and Ashanti Carr. From the last place position, Segura overtook her opponents at the last second to win gold.

 

Leanne Segura, SJCJC Athlete

“If I am being honest I was counting myself out. But when I hit the two-hundred-meter mark and realize that the gaps was not that big, I took it up a notch.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How do you feel when you accomplish something like that, where you go from dead last to winning a race.”

 

Leanne Segura

“I still the process it. Ih nuh real.”

 

And finally, to wrap up tonight’s coverage, it wasn’t all doom and gloom at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex on Friday night. The first semi-final match saw Tut Bay, donning their blue jerseys, take on Lake Independence in white. Tut Bay dominated the game, scoring four goals to Lake I’s two. With this victory, Tut Bay was set to face the winner of the match between Reggae Boyz and Survivors FC in the finals. Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.