[dropcap]U[/dropcap]nder the theme “Self-Reflection for Growth and Development, the Elite Track and Field Club held their annual awards ceremony last Saturday evening at Harmony Suites located in Rodney Bay. There were ups and downs but overall it was another successful year for the club and they capped it off by rewarding several deserving athletes along with sponsors. In addition to executive members of the club including President, Dona Emmanuel special guests included Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estephane; President of the St Lucia Athletics Association, Cornelius Breen; and President of the St Lucia Basketball Federation, Leslie Collymore who as Guest Speaker delivered a very inspiring and no sense speech.
Like he’s done in the past, Armani Modeste stole the show at this awards night coming away with multiple awards for not only his performance on the track where he received the Junior Athlete of the Year award but also in the class room. The Senior Athlete of the Year award was again bestowed on Albert Reynolds who continues to excel in javelin locally and regionally. Unfortunately he was able to attend the proceedings. After greeting and welcoming everyone Emmanuel said: “Tonight, I stand before you humility and gratitude to address you at this auspicious occasion where we at the Elite Track and Field Club, celebrate the achievements of our athletes for the 2018 season. Our theme this evening “Self-Reflection for Growth and Development” encourages us to look back on our past and present situation to identify the areas that need attention
and for us to make the necessary changes to advance our development in our various areas of interest – be it track and field, academics, spiritual or other areas of personal interest. Upon reflecting, we will also highlight our areas of strength and remain focus along the path. Consequently this evening, we as a club will reflect on our successes and failures for this past year.”
The Elite Track and Field Club had a lot to be thankful for in 2018. The President highlighted the fact that most athletes improved performances and achieved several personal bests. Two of their athletes made the National Team – Modeste represented St Lucia at the Carifta Games and along with Ethan James represented St Lucia at Windward Islands School Games. She went on to mention that the club again hosted a very successful Elite Track and Field Meet without a title sponsor that attracted 290 athletes.
On the flip side there were challenges and concerns that included athletes sustaining injuries which hindered their performance and participation at meets; getting athletes to commit to training throughout the year. In closing Emmanuel thanked the log list of sponsors for their support and mentioned that the Elite Track and Field Meet takes place May 5 at Mindoo Phillip Park. Before that time, the club will engage various businesses in hopes of acquiring a title sponsor for the competition.
Following are recipients of the various awards. National Representation: The certificate for National representation went to two athletes who competed at the 2018 CARIFTA Games and the 2018 Windward Island School Games. The recipients were Armani Modeste for representation at the 2018 Carifta and Windward Islands School Games and Ethan James for his participation at the 2018 Windward Islands School Games. Coincidentally, these two are our M.C’s this evening.
Leadership: This award goes to an individual who takes charge in the coach’s absence, who assists others particularly new members or younger members. The award goes to 2 individuals this year who demonstrated leadership in assisting new and younger members, passing on information to their teammates, taking initiative to lead the warm up and cool down sessions and demonstrated commitment to athletics and academics. The award goes to Armani Modeste.
Academic Awards: The Primary School Award goes to a student with an average of 90 perent. Recipient, D’Andre Isidore. The Secondary School Academic Award goes to a student with an average of 70 percent. Recipient, Gervan Joseph. The tertiary academic award goes to the student who scored three grade one’s and one grade three at the CAPE level with the highest average over the last school year. Recipient, Armani Modeste.
Improved effort and work ethic: This award goes to an athlete who the coaches believe demonstrated an improved commitment to training and improved effort at meets and practice. This is an issue the coaches had addressed with this athlete in the past and it was refreshing to see the athlete finally make the decision to put in the work. Recipient, Vincent Mitchell.
Most Improved Athlete: Presented to an individual who had a successful season achieving personal bests in each event that he contested. In the 200m, he ran 23.49 seconds. His previous best performance was 26 seconds. In the 400m, he improved from 57 seconds to 53.92 seconds. Recipient, Rowell St Omer.
Top U-14 Athlete: The recipient U-14 is an athlete who performed well at his inter-house, inter-district and 14 and Under Games placing in the top three in both events at the latter meet. Recipient, D’andre Isidore.
Junior Athlete of the Year: This athlete performed consistently throughout the year. He was the champion at 200 and 400m at the National Junior Championships and the Independence Games. He also represented St Lucia at the Carifta Games and the Windward Island School Games. He achieved personal bests of 21.67 at 200m and 49.5 seconds at 400m. Recipient, Armani Modeste.
Senior Athlete of the Year: No doubt about it this athlete: No doubt about it, this athlete season participating in local, regional and international championships. He was undefeated at local meets, and performed exceptionally at regional and international meets winning the Martinique National Championships and the Elite French championships, placing second at the Conegliano Tofeo Toni Falli (Italy) 6th at the CAC Games and 9th at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. He ended the season ranked 83rd in the world and was the 4th ranked javelin thrower in the Caribbean. In addition to his personal exploits with the javelin, he coaches and mentors many young athletes. Recipient, Albert Reynolds.
Special Awards: For outstanding performance in the lead role of Papa Jab in the Musical, Masquerade Master, Ethan James. For successfully passing the cricket umpires course – youngest person in the region to successfully pass this exam – Vincent Mitchell.
