Bermuda Pacers Track Club assistant coach Jarita Dill was all smiles after her athletes produced encouraging performances last weekend at the annual Russell E. Blunt East Coast Invitational track meet at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Making their 26th appearance at the meet, the club fielded a total of 22 athletes along with the another group from the Flyers Track Club.

Highlighting outstanding performances by the Pacers were Justin Donawa (11-12) and Juma Mouchette (13-14), who were both announced as the boys' outstanding athletes in their respective age groups.

Donawa won the 100 metres, 200 metres and long jump while Mouchette triumphed in the 3,000 metres and 1500 metres, and placed second in the 800 metres.

The 11-12 boys' team and the 15-16 boys' teams also lifted the age group titles.

The performance marked the first time that any Pacers team had won two age-group awards and two-age division awards.

The team placed sixth overall out of more than 100 teams and won 14 medals, including six gold, four silver and four bronze medals.

"We have traditionally done well at this event and have established a reputation as one of the clubs to look out for," said Dill.

"We managed to win 14 medals, two outstanding athlete awards and two division titles despite having one of our smallest and youngest teams.

"That is a testament to the quality of our athletes and the success of the club. Meets like this are always an eye opener and I hope this fuels a burning desire within them to continue to work hard and come back ready to train in September."

The meet involved athletes from the eastern states of the US and provided an opportunity for many of them to showcase their talent in front of various university scouts.

"At the end of the day, I want our athletes to understand the benefits that can be realised from track and field," added Dill.

"It opens doors to other cultures, allowing travel to various countries and first and foremost it can be a ticket to university.

"We have had many past club members achieve full and partial track scholarships to further their education. Just recently Aaron Evans received a full scholarship to the University of Memphis. So the opportunities are endless.

"We always stress to the kids the importance of being well-rounded student-athletes."

Victoria Clarke, Kyle Virgil and Ashley Berry led the Flyers as the trio also produced outstanding performances at the same event.

Flyers claimed 12 medals altogether and several personal best times, with the top six in each event receiving a medal.

Clarke placed fifth in the finals of the 100 and 200 metres while fighting a heel injury throughout the meet. Virgil placed fourth in the 100 and third in the 200 metres finals. Berry had a meet to remember as she placed first in the 3000 metres and second in the 1500 metres with a season-best of five minutes, 3.13 seconds.

Megan Berry placed fourth in the 3000 and tenth in the 1500, Kameron Creighton placed second in the 3000 metres and seventh in the 1500. Justin Ferreira placed fifth in the 1500 and finished second and eighth overall.

Shuntae Hendrickson placed sixth in the 800 metres, Dage Minors was third in the 3000 and 12th in the 1500.

Other athletes who attended included Darico Clarke, Lashuna Smith, De'Quan Lodge, Keshuntay Graham, Kenya Thompson, Darrion Simmons, Kyla Bolden, Tre Simons, Sarah Maybury, Cameron Bolden and Shawn Herman.