Excellence in athletics awarded Cayman Athletics awards ceremony

By Christopher Tobutt

Children, teenagers and young adults  who have excelled at track and field for 2022-2023 were honoured for their hard work and dedication at the Cayman Athletics awards ceremony at the Harquail Theatre on Thursday 29 June. All the children were there with their proud parents, teachers and coaches to recieve awards. The evening was hosted by MC’s Dionne Anglin and Ben Meade.

Cayman Athletics President, Mr. Delroy Murray welcomed everyone.”Thank you all for being here tonight...its so good that many of you have taken time out to celebrate our athletes,” he said.

Cayman Athletics Association elected a new board in 2021, Mr. Murray said,  and since that time there had been many positive changes. Track & Field meets were now running regularly and on time, things were better organised, and that had led to many positive outcomes for all the young people taking part.

Mr. Murray paid tribute to the people who had gone before, including the visionary group of people who first began to organise track & field sports back in the 1970’s and whose legacy we enjoy today. Mr. Murray also thanked all the sponsors who make many of the vital activities of the Association including sending athletes to important international and regional meets possible, naming Mr. Truman Bodden, C.U.C, and more recently, the Dart Foundation. He also thanked all of Cayman’s dedicated coaches for all the hard work they do, and without whom the significant improvements that had been achieved during the last couple of years would not be possible.

Then it was time for the awards, but before awardees in the official list were announced, Mr. Murray had a special mention for Alafia Smith, who had conistently worked hard during the past season and excelled at 17 different events. She came onstage to recieve a book about the life of Usaine Bolt, who broke the world record for 100m sprint.  Then, one by one, the awardees come onto the stage as their names were called in each category. 

Richard Hew presented the first set of awards, for Junior Athlete of the Year. The Male Junior Athlete of the Year award was presented to Andrew Stone, who received the award both for the 2022 and 2023 season, with Ashantae Graham recieving the Femaie award for 2022, and Brianna Smith and YaNelli Dawkins receiving awards for the 2023 season.

The Rising Star Coach awards went to Patricia Bent, and the Male Rising Star Athelete award went to Andrw Stone. “Outstanding Athelete,” awards began with the under-sevens, as Amari Johnson and Zabra Rankin came to the stage to receive their awards, followed by the Under Nines, Alden Wilson and Victoria King. Under 13 awards went to Tafari Beach, Amelia Marriott and Serentiti Rankin, while Alex Irons and Aria Marriott were the Under 15s.

Certificates of Excellence for 2022 and 2023 seasons  went to James Crooks, Kernole Deer, Jacob Ebanks, Kassidy Forester, Jaden Francis, Ashantae Graham, Carmen Porter Kylie Porter, Marlon Satahoo, Stephen Watson, Dervin Wright, and Jade Wright, Anthony Chin Jr. Kristoff Clarke, Michail Michelin, Gabrielle Smith, Renia Smith, Tajae Williams, Arlon Wright, Aaliyanna Anderson, Mikayla Brown, YaNelli Dawkins, Jamar Ellis, Josh Gardner, Ty Goddard, Alex Gordon Davonte Howell, Jerrell Maize, Rachell Pascal, Jaiden Reid, Rahwan Robinson, Andrew Stone, and Brianna Smith.

Plaques of Merit - for adults who have consistently supported Cayman’s athletics - went to Mr. Richard Hew, Mr. Truman Bodden OBE, Ms. Lucille Seymour, Mr Leonard Hew, and the late Mr. Winston Skinner. Long-Serving Coach awards were presented to Kenrick Williams (20 years) and Tyrone Yen (15+ years).

Male Athlete of the Year for2022 and 2023 was Rasheem Brown, and Female Athlete of the Year was Shaylsa Wray.