Bermuda's most successful male cross-country runner this season is confident that, barring injuries, the Island's senior team can exceed the performance of the bronze medal-winning squad of 1997 when the Central American and Caribbean Cross-Country Championships take place at Port Royal Golf Course next weekend.

Jay Donawa won't go as far as to say that Bermuda can beat favourites Mexico, but he believes the team's potential could allow it to go one better than in Grenada four years ago.

"I think, based on what we have to pick from this time and barring injuries, we can pick a team that is stronger than the one that got the medal, that's for sure," said Donawa this week.

"Firstly, that Grenada team was without the likes of Kavin (Smith) and Terrence Armstrong and hypothetically speaking, if you throw them in this time and as long as everybody else is healthy, we are going to have a great squad."

The squad that went to Grenada, in addition to Donawa, consisted of Mike Watson, Tracy Wright, Jamal Hart and Calvin Steede.

They just missed out on the silver medal won by St. Lucia with only three points separating the two countries. Jamaica were the overall winners.

Bermuda are expected to field three teams in the two-day event on November 17-18.

Junior races will be held for the first time and Bermuda Track and Field Association have opted to include teams in the male senior and junior division and the junior female division. Despite the outstanding form of Anna Eatherley, there is no senior female team.

The squad is expected to be finalised in the next few days following the return of BTFA vice-presidentRoger Lambert from the New York Marathon held on Sunday. Lambert was in New York to help promote January's International Race Weekend.

Donawa said he had no idea who would be the final six chosen for the senior male team but among those being seriously considered aside from himself and Smith, were Wright, Hart, Mitchell DeShields, Mark Albuoy, Armstrong and Michael Donawa, the younger brother of Jay.

With Mexico and Puerto Rico expected to be the front-runners in the senior male division, Bermuda's hopes depend on what sort of commitment the local athletes are prepared to make, according to Donawa.

"It's going to collectively take four individuals from here to run at their very best and then, collectively, when you put it in a team concept, that will alternatively determine our success," said Donawa.

"I don't think it's a secret with the guys, they realise everybody is important, there is no one individual who will lead the way, it's going to take a group effort. The training group has been very positive in the sense that everybody is together, we have built somewhat of a camaraderie and I think we all understand the importance of not only hurting for ourselves like in an individual race but hurting for the team. That's what will determine our success."

Nobody is looking forward to the event more than Donawa who broke his collar bone two years ago and was forced out of Bermuda's team.

There was still no word yesterday on the countries who have confirmed their participation, but most in the Caribbean, Central America and South America were invited. Among the first to confirm were Mexico, Puerto Rico and St. Lucia.