Suns Blaze to Victory at National School Track Competitions

NASSAU - The Temple Christian Elementary Suns track and field team blazed to victory in winning the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Frank “Pancho” Rahming national primary school track and field championships held from May 18-20 at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field stadium. The meet featured more than 1,000 athletes representing over 30 schools throughout the Bahamas. The event was held in honour of Frank “Pancho” Rahming, a former assistant director in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture who started the process of forming the meet more than 20 years ago.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE. Pictured above is Temple Christian’s Kasha Neilly, a scholar-athlete at Temple Christian School on the 3rd leg of the winning girls Open 4×400 meter relay. (Photo by Dr. Samuel L. Rutherford)

Coached by Mrs. Sharon Francis and Mr. Nekeno Demeritte, the Suns accumulated a total of 272.5 points to win the 3-day meet by a margin of 89.5 points over second placed finishers Martin Town Primary (183 points) out of Grand Bahama. Walter Parker Primary, Central Abaco Primary, and C.W. Sawyer Primary rounded out the top five finishers with point accumulations of 158, 153, and 130 points respectively.

ATHLETES INTERVIEWED by ZNS TV13. Pictured from left to right are (background) Mrs. Sharmaine Porter, elementary school principal, (foreground), ZNS news sports reporter Kelsey Johnson, (background) Coach Nekeno Demeritte, Darvinique Dean, grade 2 student, and Denika Lightbourne, grade 6 student. (Photo by Dr. Samuel L. Rutherford)

Describing the team’s performance as outstanding, Coach Francis described the suns track team as well prepared.” And it’s true. The genesis of this victory lies in the preparation Suns athletes receive through their participation in track meets at the club level through Kids Athletics and Xtreme Athletics. With year-round preparation and constant exposure to competition both nationally and internationally, the win is a testament to the importance of the development that track and field athletes receive at the school.

STAR OF THE FUTURE. Pictured above, ZNS’s Kelsey Johnson interviews Sarsha Wright, grade 1 student who won gold and silver medals in the 75m and 200m respectively. (Photo by Dr. Samuel L. Rutherford)

In the end, Temple Christian School won 3 of the 5 divisions, and are looking forward to defending their championship next year. Go Suns!

MEMBERS OF THE TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING TRACK & FIELD TEAM. (Photo provided by Coach Sharon Francis)