Miles Outerbridge, Arima Turner and Amaris Munya have reflected on their experience at one of the biggest athletics meets in the United States.

The teenagers, all Montverde Academy students, took to the track at the Virgina Showcase, with Outerbridge and Turner making their final appearances at the event and Munya making her maiden appearance at the Virginia Beach Sports Centre.

In his first race, the 200-metre dash, Outerbridge clocked a cracking 21.34sec, the fastest time for any of the 44 runners. He recorded 34.56 in the 300-metre dash, the eighth best of 608 competitors.

While it was attained at an indoor race, the 17-year-old’s 200 metres time will be accepted by the Bermuda National Athletics Association as qualification for the Carifta Games.

“I feel really good to have opened up my season the way I did and I am glad to have also qualified for Carifta so early,” Outerbridge told The Royal Gazette.

“Memories I took from this meet was the amount of traction I gained and how impactful my performance was. I enjoyed the 200 the most and I’m feeling confident in my abilities for the next meet.

“I had been injured for almost a month so to come back and run a US top-nine time showed me there is a lot more I have to give this year.”

Turner won her heats in the 200 metres and 55-metre dash. She stopped the clock at 25.17 in the 200, with her time placing her fifteenth of 56 runners, while the 7.19 she ran in the 55 metres resulted in her finishing an impressive second from more than 200 competitors.

“This is my fourth year participating in the VA Showcase and it’s hard to believe that this is my final year,” Turner said.

“I’ll surely miss the atmosphere and energy of the high-profile meet. After the VA Showcase, we typically participate in a series of team-bonding events and that is something that will always be a great memory.

“As this was one of my fastest season-openers, I’m feeling well placed for the season ahead and hoping my preseason training pays off.”

Munya, who ran the 1,000 metres and Invitational Distance Medley relay, seems to have had a wonderful time competing against some of the finest budding American track talent.

“My first Virginia Showcase was an amazing and an unmatched experience,” Munya said.

“The energy was vibrant, I watched and competed against some of the best high-school athletes in the United States.

“The relay was an eye-opener for me and it allowed me to let go of some of the nerves leading up to my 1,000 metres run.

“The meet would not have been the same without my team-mates and coaches who made it memorable. I’m excited at what’s for me this indoor season. I have never been this excited for a track season before.

“One area I am working on improving is my aggressiveness in races. I tend to be a bit timid at the start but now I see that you can’t be timid in races or you’ll get pushed around.

“Leading to my next indoor meet I’m going to continue putting in the work in training, working on my form and working on my mindset.”

The three Bermudians are now back at Montverde preparing for the Sunshine Showcase, taking place in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday and Sunday.