Tyrone Smith and Tre Houston gave the National Stadium crowd plenty to cheer about after both athletes earned podium finishes at last night’s Bermuda Invitational Permit Meet.

Smith, competing in the long jump for the first time this season, finished second with a leap of 7.78 metres, while sprinter Houston was runner-up in the 200 with a time of 21.09sec.

Both Bermudian athletes have already qualified for this summer’s Rio Olympic Games.

Smith admitted he was disappointed not to have won the event in front of his home crowd but believed he could take positives from his performance.

“I was hoping for more as I’ve been feeling pretty good in training,” said Smith, who was beaten by Mike Hartfield, of the United States, who jumped 7.95.

“I thought the top three was going to be myself, Hartfield and Damar [Forbes of Jamaica] in some combination, although I did think all three of us would be over eight metres.

“Obviously I wanted to win and a couple jumps felt a lot better than they were. I’ve got a few things to work on.”

Also competing in the long jump were Bermudians Bruce DeGrilla, who came sixth with a leap of 7.35, and Ethan Philp who placed eighth after jumping 6.88.

Smith, 31, said he was delighted to kick-start his season in Bermuda and praised the lively spectators for their “awesome support”.

“I travel all over the world to compete but I never get that kind of reception with the clapping and the cheering — it’s so awesome to have that,” added Smith, whose personal best is 8.22.

Houston, who doubled up in last night’s meet, finished fifth in the 100 in 10.46, his first event, before posting a 21.09 in the final race of the evening.

“I’ve very pleased with how things went tonight,” said the 26-year-old. “I’m glad I came back, the crowd were fantastic and I’d just like to thank everyone who supports me.

“I’m definitely happy with tonight’s performance. I’m in good shape, I’m feeling strong and it’s only April. I’ve got until August [for the Olympics] and I know with each race I’ll be getting sharper and better.”

Mike Rodgers, of the US, won both the sprint events, finishing the 100 in 10.14 and 200 in 20.84.

Aaron Evans also competed for the first time this year in last night’s Permit meet — the first to be held in Bermuda — after missing the start of the season because of injury.

The 26-year-old has suffered with plantar fasciitis, known as jogger’s heel, over the past few years with the injury rearing its ugly head during a ten-week training trip in Bahamas.

Evans, who is hoping to join Smith and Houston in Rio this summer, came fifth in the 800 in 1:51.65, with Wesley Vasquez, of Puerto Rico, posting the fastest time of 1:48.83.

“I felt good and I was just happy to get into the mix and get some rust off,” he said.

“I’ve been battling with plantar fasciitis and tonight was a good indicator of where I’m at. I’ve only been training for three weeks after I missed the whole month of March and I’m happy with my performance.

“It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish.”

Another Bermudian athlete dusting off the cobwebs was Shianne Smith, who has switched from the heptathlon to the 400-metres hurdles in her bid to qualify for the Rio Olympics.

Smith, who placed sixth in 1:03.73, said she had hoped for a faster time but could take heart from her strong finish to the race.

“I reached the first hurdle faster than I had in training and I actually went with the wrong leg and that kind of changed my rhythm at the start,” said the 30-year-old, whose race was won by Leah Nugent, of the US, in 57.84.

“I didn’t like the time but I felt strong coming home and thought my technique was good. I haven’t really been working on my speed yet.”

Also representing Bermuda last night was Sakari Famous who placed fourth in the high jump with 1.75. Tynita Butts, of the US, won the event in 1.80.