Donna Watson, the Bermuda National Athletics Association president, has high expectations for the Island’s CAC Junior Championships squad that departs for Mexico today.

Bermuda will be represented by 11 of the Island’s most promising athletes who Watson is looking for big things from when competition in Morella gets underway from July 4.

Middle distance runner Kyrah Scraders and high jumpers Sakari Famous and Jahnai Perinchief are among those expected to be thick in the hunt for medal honours in Mexico.

“We’re looking for some good performances and some medals coming out of this team,” Watson said.

“The last CAC Junior event Kyrah won the gold in the 800 and 1,500 metres and we would like to see that performance repeated. Kyle Webb is running very well and we would love to see him on the podium in the 100 and 200, and our two high jumpers, Sakari Famous and Jahnai Perinchief, we also hope to be in medal contention.”

Scraders underlined her enormous potential by winning gold in the 800 and silver in the 1,500 at the Carifta Games in Martinique in April.

The 17-year-old will also represent Bermuda at next month’s Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.

Bermuda’s contingent at the Championships will have added incentive to put their best foot forward as qualifying spots for the World Junior Championships to be held in Eugene, Oregon, later this month will be up for grabs.

As it stands, only Scraders and Webb have met the mark for that competition. But, if all goes accordingly, Watson hopes to see more names added to the list.

“We’re hoping that we get some of our athletes qualified for the World Junior Championships out of this meet as this will be the last opportunity to meet the standard,” she said. “We currently already have Kyle Webb qualified for the World Juniors and we have Kyrah Scraders in the 800 and Bruce DeGrilla in the long jump knocking on the door.”

Bermuda’s remaining CAC Junior Championships squad consists of Jordan Bascome (heptathlon), Azaire Smith, (high jump), Antonio Bailey (200) David Darrell (800 and 1,500), Kionje Somner (200 and 400) Bruce DeGrilla and Chas Smith, who will both compete in the long jump and triple jump.

Also travelling are head coach Troy Douglas, assistant coach Brian Wellman and manager Jean Ann Webb.