The Bermuda National Athletics Association is hoping some of the college students on their summer break will compete at the National Championships at the National Stadium next Friday.

Donna Raynor, the BNAA president, said the meet will be a good opportunity to qualify or prepare for summer events such as the CAC Games in Barranquilla, Colombia, and the NACAC Championships in Toronto.

The Championships will start at 5.45pm with the under-14 and under-17 boys’ and girls’ hurdles, before the field events begin at 6pm. Ages will range from under-12s to the open category.

“We’re hoping to have some of our university athletes competing in this event,” said Donna Raynor.

“Some of the athletes who are still trying to qualify for international events during the summer months can use this as a last chance meet. For our athletes who have qualified for the CAC Games and NACAC Championships this could be a good warm-up and test to make sure they are ready for these events.

“We’re looking forward to closing out a very busy local season as we prepare for the international summer events.”

Some of the athletes expected to compete include high jumper Sakari Famous, who won Bermuda’s only medal at the Carifta Games in Bahamas last month when she claimed bronze in the under-20 category. Injury forced Famous to pull out of this month’s Bermuda Invitational Permit Meet at the National Stadium.

Another high jumper, Jah-Nhai Perinchief, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after picking up a hamstring injury in February.

The University of Arkansas athlete was injured while competing at the SEC Indoor Championships held at Texas A&M University.

The majority of Bermuda’s Carifta team are expected to compete, including Amelia Othman, who narrowly missed out on a bronze in the under-17 high jump, and Ashley Irby who finished fourth in the under-20 1,500.

Tommy Marshall, the Junior Heritage Day Classic winner last weekend, is likely to compete alongside the likes of Ryan Outerbridge and Johndell Cumberbatch.

Marshall’s sister, Jessie, also a middle-distance runner, was also a member of the Carifta team along with Famous, Irby, Othman, Taylor Hines, Tilly Norman and Isabelle Dutranoit.

The other male members of the Carifta team were Elisha Darrell, Clevonte Lodge, Robert Edwards and Deneo Brangman.

“We are hoping to showcase our Carifta athletes and some of the up-and-coming junior athletes,” Raynor added.

It was at Carifta that Bermuda was confirmed as the hosts of the 2020 games, having last hosted the event in 2012.

“As we begin our preparations for Carifta 2020 this will give us an idea of the athletes who we should be focusing on for the 2020 Games,” Watson said.