Grenadian athletes intensify preparations this weekend

File Photo: Kirani James

By Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, February 10, 2012 - A number of Grenadian athletes will be competing in various track and field meets across the United States this weekend.

Chief among them will be World 400m champion Kirani James who will compete in the USA Track & Field Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

James opened his 2012 season with a world leading 45.96 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston last weekend. James’ challengers include Demitrius Pinder, Tabari Henry, Calvin Smith, LaJerald Betters, David Neville, Jamaal Torrence, Joshua Smith and Miles Smith in a timed final.

An impressive performance on Saturday should put the world champion in pole position for the Indoor title at the World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey in one month’s time.

James may be the lone quarter-miler for Grenada at the World Indoors since his compatriot Rondell Bartholomew will skip the indoor season.

“I have decided to concentrate on outdoor competition this year and will skip the indoors,” said Bartholomew. “I had a long season last year and reflected on my disappointment in finishing outside of the medals”.

File Photo: Kurt Felix

Bartholomew, who finished sixth in the final, believes he has gained valuable experience in 2011 and looks forward to an ‘explosive’ season this year.

Coincidentally, both Bartholomew and James recorded their personal best timings in the 400m indoor at the Randal Tyson Centre in Arkansas last February. Bartholomew clocked a PB of 45.84 on February 11, 2011 and two weeks later on February 26, James recorded his personal best of 44.80.

Also skipping the indoor season this year will be Randy Lewis. The Germany-based triple jumper, who underwent knee surgery last year, said that his goal is to prepare for the Olympic Games in London this summer. “My main focus is going to be on the summer season,” he said.

File Photo: Sherine Wells

However, there are other athletes who will be destined to record qualifying marks in other competitions this weekend.

The USA Track & Field Classic is being held in conjunction with the 2012 Tyson Invitational which will also include Janelle Redhead, Sherine Wells, and Keron Toussaint.

Redhead of Wayland Baptist University and Wells of Oklahoma University will compete in the 60m, 200m and the 4x400m relay while Toussaint, a former Kansas University sprinter, runs in the 400m.

Over at College Point, Texas, Kanika Beckles will make her debut for Texas A&M under coach Alleyne Francique at the Texas A&M Invitational. She will compete in the 200m and the 4x400m relay.

Joel Redhead is expected to run the 400m at the Vulcan Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama and Kurt Felix of Boise State University, who copped the double in the long and high jumps in the competition last weekend, will compete in the Men’s Heptathlon at the Boise State University’s Team Challenge in Nampa, Idaho.