Nothing but the Best at Clifton Hunter sports day

By Christopher Tobutt

It was a great day for Clifton Hunter High School, and their motto “Nil satis nisi optimum – nothing but the best,” as their three academies, each named after famous Caymanian – built schooners of the past, Cimboco (in light blue) Goldfield (deep green) and Ladyslater (Burgundy) battled it out for the top team trophy at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. In the end it was Cimboco who won, with Goldfield coming second, and Ladyslater third, but it was a tough battle and there was lots of excitement and cheering too.

After the prayer led by Mr. Kedroy Laing, the National Song was sung by Tahera Thomas, and then the athletes paraded all around the track, with their acadamy banners held up proudly. Hon. Julianna O’Connor Connolly, Minister of Sports, declared the games open.

School Principal, Pauline Beckford said: “Welcome honored Guests, Parents, Staff and students of the Clifton Hunter High School. I am delighted to see all our community members coming out to support our annual Sports Day at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. Once again this promises to be a very competitive and closely fought competiton between the three academies. We are looking forward to some record breaking times…Let the 2021 Games begin. Good luck to all the athletes.”

After the cheerleader competition and trophy presentation the races started. It was the 800m, separated into different age groups from year 7 all the way through to Year 11, and then there was long jump, too for the Year 10 to 11 boys. There were also long jumps for all ages between year 7 and 11, along with high jump and shot-put too. There was discus for boys and girls of years 8-11, and javelin for boys and girls of years 9-11.

800m meter races for girls were next, with plenty of medal presentations for first, second and third position. One of the many first place medals awarded on the day went to 15-year-old Rochelle Moore of Cimboco who won the 800 meters by a long margin, from second and third place Jessiann Miller and Arianna Robman . Rochelle said she was very pleased, and all the training she had done had paid off.

Next came the 100m boys for years 7-11 followed by the 400m for boys in year 7, and girls in year 7, too. There were more 400m races, one for girls of year ten, and then for boys and girls of year 11. In the afternoon, the moment everyone had waited for, as some brave parents raced each other to the finish-line. There was a mixed race for teachers, too with everyone cheering. The day finished up with the 60 meters dash, and then the relays, for Year 7 to 11 boys and girls. It’s the third year running that Cimboco have won the sports day trophy, with Ladyslater winning in 2018, and Goldfield in 2017. Let’s see how Clifton Hunter does in the Inters schools sports day, on March 12.