20-SPORTS

20 THE FREEPORT NEWS Monday, April 16, 2018 SPORTS

SILVER MEDAL RELAY TEAM—Alonzo Russell, Ojay Ferguson, Stephen Newbold and Teray Smith. Bahamas men’s 1600 meters relay tradition of success holding strong The third silver medal and fourth podium visit for The Ba- “I just talked to Stevie very recently. In fact, I hamas at the Gold Coast Com- monwealth Games on Friday, sent him the material on social media and his demonstrated something quite pleasing. response was ‘boy I don’t know where people ’ men’s 1600 me- SPORTS ters relay tradition of success is get this kind of stuff from.’ Look, as far as I am very much alive. The highly noted Steve Gar- concerned, no such decision has been made. diner didn’t travel with the team; Michael Matthieu and Ra- Getting his green card will not stop him from mon Miller are both a step or so SCOPE slower; Chris Brown seems to continuing to compete for The Bahamas. You Y RED TURRUP have faded into the sunset after B F S a glamorous and lengthy career; know though, I told him that perhaps such ru- Demetrius Pinder has not yet re- covered from a 2013 injury, yet mors are good sometimes because they cause the blue, black and gold stood out magnifi cently. others to take note and not take their high qual- Not many thought a 1600 me- the young boy he discovered granted,” said the coach. ters relay medal was guaranteed and trained into one of the fi nest Indeed. ity talent for granted,” quarter milers in the world today Coach Williams makes an ex- for The Bahamas in its most suc- cessful track event, historically. “is not going anywhere.” cellent point. ~ Rev. Coach Anthony Williams “I just talked to Stevie very The bigger picture for now The likelihood of names such as Stephen Newbold, Ojay Fer- recently. In fact, I sent him the however, is the fact that The Ba- guson, Teray Smith and Alonzo the fi nal was simply awesome. like the new look,” said Coach relay, even with Gardiner. material on social media and his hamas remains a strong world Russell, combining for a medal The venerable Rev. Coach An- Williams. Now, according to one who response was ‘boy I don’t know force in the men’s 1600 meters of any kind was not considered thony Williams and I chatted He pointed out that it is good knows track and fi eld very well, where people get this kind of relay. by a lot of folks, I would bet. a couple of times on Saturday that, when those who have done as they say, ‘things are looking stuff from.’ Look, as far as I am Congratulations, Gold Coast Quite frankly, I hadn’t giv- morning and he said the country great things for us, move off up.’ concerned, no such decision has 1600 meters relay silver medal- en thought to such a lineup. looks set to continue its quality the scene, or slip into the back- Incidentally, Coach Williams been made. Getting his green ists! There have been reasons in the showing in the men’s 1600 me- ground, there are others to fi ll also poured water on the hot ru- card will not stop him from con- Great accomplishment, Coach past to criticize coaches for re- ters relay. the void. There has been a big mor that his prize pupil, Gardin- tinuing to compete for The Ba- Gardiner and Team Bahamas! lay lineups. In this case, Head “Those young boys ran ex- question hanging over track and er, might be opting to compete hamas.You know though, I told Coach Rupert Gardiner and his tremely well. When Stevie fi eld regarding, this exact situa- for another country. Present- him that perhaps such rumors are • To respond to this column, associates are to be lauded. The (Gardiner) gets with them, they tion. Not too long ago, it really ly, Gardiner is working on his good sometimes because they kindly contact Fred Sturrup at thought process that led to the will be able to run against any looked like The Bahamas would “green card status” in the United cause others to take note and not [email protected] or on representatives for the legs in country with a good chance. I be average at best in its specialty States, but Coach Williams says take their high quality talent for WhatsApp at 727-6363. Men’s 4x400m team lands silver in fi nal SHAYNE STUBBS FN Sports Reporter [email protected]

On the fi nal day of the athletics portion of the 2018 Common- wealth Games, the Bahamas’ men’s 4x400 meters relay team put together a remarkable perfor- mance. The duo of Grand Bahamians Alonzo Russell and Terray Smith Botswana’s Isaac Makawala along Ojay Ferguson and Stephan celebrates as his men’s 4x400m Newbold added to the country’s relay team win the gold medal medal count this past Saturday at Carrara Stadium during the 2018 at the Carra Stadium in the Gold on the Gold Coast, Australia, Coast, Australia. Saturday, April 14, 2018. Alonzo With Russell on anchor leg duty, Russell, (center) of The Baha- The Bahamas fi nished the quar- mas holds on for the silver. ter-mile relay in a season’s best (AP PHOTO/ time of three minutes and 1.92 MARK SCHIEFELBEIN) seconds (3:01.92). Botswana held on to secure the gold medal and fi nish in a season’s best time of 3:01.78. would settle for the bronze, also in a season’s best time of 3:01.97. With the recently added medal in the fi nal medal tally, The Ba- hamas fi nished 21st at the Games with four medals. Along with the (Continued on Page 15)