The Bermuda Pacers Track Club returned this week loaded down with gold, silver and bronze medals from the prestigious Russell E. Blunt East Coast Invitational Track Meet at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. This was the 26th year that the top track club have attended the meet which attracts athletes from all over the United States east coast.

Over the past few years the club has continued to impress the meet directors at this age group event.

And this year was no different.

Justin Donawa (11-12 boys) and Juma Mouchette (13-14 boys) were voted the outstanding athletes in their respective age groups at the meet and in addition to winning these awards, the teams' 11-12 boys and 15-16 boys won the individual age group titles.

Head coach Cal Simons said that he, the other coaches and athletes along with the Pacers supporters were "overjoyed" by the outcome.

"This performance marks the first time that the Pacers' team has won two outstanding age group awards and two age division awards. The team placed sixth overall out of 100 plus teams and won 14 medals ¿ six gold, four silver, and four bronze medals," said Simons adding, "despite taking a smaller and younger team to the meet, the club continued to compete extremely well."

"During the first day of the meet, the club had 16 members of the team compete in five individual events from 3000 metres to high jump and one 4 x 400 semi-final relay. At the conclusion of the day the team had won three medals. A gold medal by Juma Mouchette in the 13-14 boys 3000 metres, a silver medal by Trey Simons in the 15 -16 boys 3000 metres, and a bronze medal by Tzadik Donville in the 11-12 boys high jump," said Simons.

In addition to winning medals, the team saw three of their members ¿ Justin Donawa, Daniel Emery, and Kyle Webb ¿ qualify for the 200 metres semi-finals in their respective age group. During the final event of the day, the club had their 11-12 boys' 4 x 400 metres relay team qualify for the 4 x 400 metres finals on Sunday.

On day two of the meet, all 22 members of the team would be involved in a jumping, throwing or running events.

"Again the team showed a great deal of guts and determination," said Simons.

First on the track were 1500 metre runners, Zakiyyah Shower, Erica Hawley, Diondre Dowling (9-10 girls and boys), Aaliyan Nolan, Nakeno Creighton, Jaquan Burrows (11-12 girls and boys), Juma Mouchette (13-14 boys) and Trey Simons (15-16 boys). At the conclusion of the 1500 metre finals, the team collected another four medals. Zakiyyah Shower and Diondre Dowling won bronze medals in their events. Juma Mouchette collected his second gold medal in the 13-14 boys event and Trey Simons collected his second silver medal in the 15-16 boys event.

In addition to winning these medals, the club had Dessa Booth a first time athlete competing, place 4th and 5th in both the 13-14 girl's discus and shot putt respectively and Allison Outerbridge place 4th in the 15-16 girl's triple jump.

The focus of the meet switched back to the track as eight of the team members ¿ Anasia Barclay, Jordan Bascome, Kyrah Scraders, Jahmari Sutton, Jaz Ratteray-Smith, Jah-nhai Perinchief, Tzadik Donville and Ryan Furbert ¿ competed in the 400 metre semi-finals.

"At the conclusion of these semi final events, Jordan Bascome and Ryan Furbert won their individual races and qualified for the finals on Sunday. In addition to having Jordan and Ryan qualify, the team members and Pacers supporters were thrilled as they watch Justin Donawa win both his 100 and 200 metre semi-final events and qualify for the finals on Sunday," said the coach adding, "the stage was now set for the final day of the meet and excitement filled the Pacer's camp as 16 members of the team would compete in final events."

First on the track were the 800 metre runners, Zakiyyah Shower, Erica Hawley, Diondre Dowling (9-10 girls and boys), Aaliyan Nolan, Jordan Bascome, Kyrah Scraders, Jahmari Sutton, Nakeno Creighton, Jaquan Burrows (11-12 girls and boys), Juma Mouchette (13-14 boys) and Ryan Furbert in the 15-16 boys event.

At the conclusion on the 800 metre finals, the team collected another two medals. Juma Mouchett making his debut appearance in the meet collected his third medal placing second in the 13-14 boy's finals and Ryan Furbert collecting a silver medal in the 15-16 boy's finals. Ryan Furbert than electrified the Pacers supporters as he went one better by winning a gold medal in the 15-16 boys high jump with a personal best leap of 1.93 metres (6'4").

"This performance jump-started everything for the club as Justin Donawa won his first gold medal of the meet in the 11-12 boys 100 metres in 12.45 seconds.

"Justin then won his second gold medal by winning the 11-12 boys' long jump (5.34 metres) and then made it three in a row as he blew the field away in the 11-12 boy's 200 metres in 25.93 seconds.

" With the conclusion of the meet coming to an end, the team was once again thrilled as Ryan Furbert collected his third medal of the meet placing third in the 15-16 boys' 400 metre finals."

The final event for the team was the 11-12 boys' 4x 400 metre finals. This event was very exciting and the team placed fifth in a time of 4.31.07.

Travelling with the club were Pacers' Executive officers, head coach Cal Simons, assistant coaches Jarita Dill and Gina Cann and a large group of parents and friends of the athletes.

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HOW THEY DID

9-10 Girls

Zakiyyah Shower (800m 2.54.04, and 1500 m 5.48.93 3rd place).

Erica Hawley (800m 2.58.07 and 1500m 6.06.69).

Anasia Barclay (200m 32.23 and 400 m 1.15.62).

9-10 Boys

Diondre Dowling (800 m 2.42.83, 1500m 5.15.96 3rd place & LJ 3.64m).

11-12 Girls

Aaliyan Nolan (800m 2.36.51, & 1500m 5.32.70).

Jordan Bascome (400m 1.02.32, 800m 2.31.96 & HJ 1.32m).

Kyrah Scraders (400m 1.03.64, & 800m 2.28. 96).

11-12 Boys

Jahmari Sutton (400m 1.11.53, 800m 2.42.47).

Jaz Ratteray-Smith (200m 28.10, 400m 1.07.28, HJ 1.21m).

Jah-nhai Perinchief (400m 1.10.58, HJ 1.27m).

Tzadik Donville (400m 1.10. 28, HJ 1. 27m 3rd place).

Justin Donawa (100m 12.45 1st place), 200m 25.93 1st place), L J 5.34m 1s place).

Nakeno Creighton (1500 m 5.16.41, 800m 2.34.37 ).

Jaquan Burrows (1500 m 5.19.47, 800m 2.34.37).

13-14 Girls

Dessa Booth (Discus 22.02m, Shot Putt 9.69m).

13-14 Boys

Juma Mouchette (3000m 10.08.7 1st place, 1500m 4.29.53 1st place , 800m 2.09.82 2nd place).

Daniel Emery (100m 12.38, 200m 26.00).

Kyle Webb (100m 12.58, 200m 25.67, LJ 5.15m).

15- 16 Girls

Allison Outerbridge (Triple Jump 11.23m Long Jump 4.96m).

15-16 Boys

Ryan Furbert (400m 49.63 3rd place, 800m 1.58.34 2nd place, HJ 1.93m 1st place).

Trey Simons (1500m 4.15.02 2nd place, 3000m 9.43.39 2nd place).