I go back into the recesses of my mind to the days when I was once an athlete. As if the time all come into one, I imagine myself on the runway at the DTSP/ Ronald Cartwright Track Classic, talking to myself, saying “you can do this; let’s make this a big one; Meco…you have trained for this moment….”And off I went, like a jet plane gathering speeding…and then blast off! It was a Carifta qualifying leap… and the rest is history. These are the fond memories that I possess of track and field – the hard work at practice sessions and the suffocating smell of competition that results in convulsive anxiety like a horse waiting to be unleashed from the gates. Now, as I look into the eyes of athletes on competition day, I know the look of champions…the fighting wolves who take no prisoners. Meets such as this one, will be emblazoned in the minds of today’s athletes, long after these days are gone…and one day, like me, 35 years later they will still remember the blood thirsty competition where in one way or another they all would have won! To have won, is a not limited to winning a race or throwing the furthest distance; it is the measurement of how we collectively participate in the development of young children and adolescents whose minds and bodies we shape in to global citizens. You have contributed to providing our athletes with the tools to compete within a universal space by creating a pathway to scholastic opportunities coupled with the exposure of meeting people from all around the world who will indelibly change our students perspectives on life, their sense of purpose and a renewed quest to be better than they had ever imagined. This event invariably has the cataclysmic effect of changing someone’s life forever! For all of these reasons, I would like to the thank club owner and meet promoter Mr. Larry Clarke and his incredible staff for being a game changer in a time when the world has forced us into isolation, thereby changing our world as we once knew it. I am so very proud of the entire membership of the Federation, who have demonstrated a level of commitment and resilience to our sport; when so many others around the world have literally stopped moving, we continue to soar. Your team has continued to push the bounds of our sport and as a result, track and field is even stronger than when we first met it! On behalf of the entire track and field community, we say thank you for giving us these “howling” moments of track and field that will be unforgettable. It is excellence that we believe in….and you deliver excellence to our community every year! As I like to say to the DTSP Wolf Pack organization “the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack “. For me this simply means that while we breed individual heroes, we are all that much stronger when heroes are multiplied one hundred-fold.
I wish therefore to congratulate Members of the DTSP Wolfpack Executive Team, Coach Larry Clarke, Gail Clarke, Sonia Gill, Denise Turnquest, Philip Gray, Jerome Elliott, together with their amazing coaching staff, Coach Shanrica Riley, Neketa Sears-Knowles, Derrick Brown. Finally, I must say how much I bubble with elation, as DTSP has seen it fitting to commemorate the meet in honour of my very good friend Mr. Ronald Cartwright. At 82 years old, Cartwright for more than 50 years still possesses the vim and vigor of a college graduate coach whose eyes are still keener than a hawk’s, with a track and field acumen and wisdom compared to some within the world’s greatest coaching community. This event in his name is befitting of a coaching legend. Indeed, it is my heart’s desire that this prestigious group delivers a world class event with performances that will make us all “howl” to the moon! Yours sincerely, Drumeco Archer President BAAA
I
am both humbled and proud that DTSP Wolf Pack is able to host its 4th Annual DTSP Wolf Pack Track Classic in a pandemic-affected season. A track meet held under Covid protocols and circumstances is challenging to say the least, calling for more financial and human resources to execute. It is only through the grace of God, generosity of our sponsors, hard work of athletes, parents, patrons, volunteers and executives that this meet is possible. In reflecting on the challenges experienced during the past year and organizing this meet, I am reminded that God never gives a vision without making the provision. I am grateful to the many corporate citizens who have generously agreed to partner with DTSP Wolf Pack, not the least of which is our Title Sponsor, Oak Tree Medical Center. We also extend thanks to our Gold Sponsor, The National Health Insurance Authority which has continued the assistance provided in previous years. With their assistance and the assistance of others, I am proud
that we are able to host the meet in this fashion. Our God is indeed faithful. I appreciate my team of executives, coaches, Parent and Alumni associations and the fine cadre of athletes whose athletic prowess is equal to any other, and whose dedication and commitment are unmatched. DTSP was founded on the principle of the love of God and family and this has been fostered and demonstrated in the way that we have always and continue to put the wellbeing of others before our own. Many of you will know that the club is based at Holy Cross Church, whose parishioners have donated their time and treasures to the success of the club, and for which we are grateful. Your work is tremendous and has not gone unnoticed. I am also extremely appreciative of the overwhelming support of the other clubs and coaches participating in this meet. Without you there would be no need for such an event.
My heart is both saddened and joyous with the knowledge that a few of our senior athletes will move on to higher heights - Lamont Moss, Elkan Johnson, and George Minnis. Wherever God orders your steps for higher education (and DTSP will continue to assist you in that search), know that we are with you as you remain in our hearts. I know that you, like our other 11 alumni will do well and make your DTSP family proud. Continue to set good examples for those you leave behind to carry the banner of the fraternity of Wolf Pack. DTSP has a proud history of athletes continuing their track and field careers at universities abroad, from Kentucky to Iowa, from Massachusetts to New Orleans and Texas and beyond. Athletes, God will honor your talents. For the junior athletes I want you to know that DTSP continues to forge relationships with colleges and universities abroad for you to showcase your talents, so continue to work hard. DTSP Wolf Pack’s philosophy remains focused on
the talent and hard work of our athletes both on and off the track. To our fans, you cannot be here with us, but through live stream we bring the meet to you. May everyone enjoy Wolf Pack’s 2021 Track Classic. “The Arena, It’s Hunting Season” Larry Clarke President and Head Coach, DTSP Wolf Pack DTSP WOLF PACK 2021 TRACK CLASSIC
CLUB’S
BACKGROUND AND HISTORY The DTSP Wolf Pack track and field club has been in operation since May 2013.
OUR MISSION
“To provide young, aspiring athletes the opportunity to attain their maximum athletic potential through the Development of Technique, Speed and Power; to foster high self-esteem, self-discipline, dedication, determination, goal setting and goal attainment, both athletically and academically; to provide a structured environment conducive to producing well-rounded young adults; to offer athletes educational opportunities through athletic scholarships.”
OUR OBJECTIVES
1. To support and advance the sport of track and field in the Bahamas. 2. To build strong minds and bodies. 3. To cultivate and maintain an organized, productive, and training environment. 4. To instruct and require discipline and respect for coaches and all persons in authority. 5. To stimulate and encourage the commitment necessary for both athletic and academic success. 6. To promote the highest standards of conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship toward teammates and opponents alike. 7. To position our athletes to become recipients of athletic scholarships from highly regarded academic institutions. In addition, the club has a strong affiliation with Holy Cross Anglican Church and holds its training sessions on the Church’s premises. We recognize the importance of spiritual development as a necessary component of the overall development of each girl and boy in our club. On January 18th 2020, the club had its debut on the international circuit. Several members of the club attended the Mckenley Wint T&F Classic. They were well received and did extremely well. The club anticipates participating in at least one international meet annually. The club which is registered under the Bahamas Amateur Athletics Association currently has approximately 36 members.
COACHING STAFF
Head Coach, Mr. Larry Clarke Assistant Coach, Mrs. Neketa Sears-Knowles Assistant Coach, Mrs. Shanrica Riley Assistant Coach, Mr. Derrick Brown
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President, Larry Clarke Vice President, Jerome Elliott Secretary, Gail Clarke Treasurer, Sonia Gill Asst. Treasurer Denise Turnquest Public Relations Coordinator, Philip Gray
HONOUREE:
MR. RONALD
CARTWRIGHT “Mr. Cartwright continues to give invaluable service to his country and we are proud today to be able to salute him.”
DTSP Wolf Pack Track Club is delighted that Mr. Ronald Cartwright has accepted our request for our 2021 Track Classic to be held in his honour. We are happy that he has consented to add his name to our event. Mr. Cartwright is truly an icon in the Track and Field world in the Bahamas, and beyond. Affectionately called “Ole Man Cartwright” Mr. Ronald Cartwright was born in Inagua, Bahamas on November 2, 1938. At 82 years old the “Ole Man” is still a significant contributor to the moulding of athletes, particularly in the jumps and throws. Mr. Cartwright has under his belt decades of experience including 1976 when the first Carifta Games was held in Nassau. At these games he served as Team Manager. His earliest recollection of coaching dates back to the late 1960s. Ronald Cartwright, one of the rare breed of multidisciplinary coaches, trains athletes in high jump, pole vault, shot put, discus and javelin. He has produced some of the best decathletes in the country, famed for coaching the first medalist (Sidney Cartwright) in the Decathlon at the CAC Games held in Nassau. In 1982 Mr. Cartwright coached our national discuss record holder, Bradley Cooper to a gold medal performance at the Commonwealth Games which were held in Brisbane, Australia. Another of his star athletes was Donald Thomas who he coached to a gold medal performance in the high jump competition at the CAC Games in Mexico. Thomas went on to win the gold medal at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka Japan. Mr. Cartwright is well respected and recognised as a pre-eminent high jump coach. He has worked with other coaches as well. An example of this was his collaboration with a local coach, resulting in another World Championship medal, this time from Trevor Barry at the 2011 Championships in South Korea.
In 2010, Cartwright, with his keen eyes, recognised talent in Jamaal Wilson, a double gold medalist in the high jump at the Carifta Games, who set a Carifta high jump record at the Carifta Games held in the Cayman Islands. With further coaching by Cartwright, Wilson went on to win a silver medal at the 2017 Commonwealth Games, held in the Gold Coast. Once again the Ole Man was the national high jump coach for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. In 2012 Cartwright was named as one of the head coaches at the London Olympic Games, at which team Bahamas took centre stage, winning the men’s 4X400 metre relay. In 2016, Ronald Cartwright was engaged by the University of The Bahamas as an adjunct coach, coaching throws and multi-events. In 2018, it was Cartwright who coached Ken Mullings to a new national record in the Octathlon. Cartwright was a part of the University’s delegation for the Penn Relays. Mr. Cartwright is the owner of RC Athletics track and field club and has been in good standing with the BAAAs for more than 50 years. Cartwright has represented the country at the highest level of track and field competition in the world and is considered a national treasure. He is credited with developing hundreds of young people in the Bahamas and assisting them in obtaining scholarships to pursue higher education. Mr. Cartwright continues to give invaluable service to his country and we are proud today to be able to salute him. Congratulations and God Bless Mr. Cartwright!
4TH “DTSP WOLF PACK/RONALD CARTWRIGHT TRACK CLASSIC” SATURDAY APRIL 10TH, 2021
ROLLING SCHEDULE TIME
TRACK DIVISION TIME EVENTS
FIELD EVENTS
DIVISION
9:00am 110H U17B/U20B/Open M 10:00am Long jump U13 G &B 100H U17G/U20G/Open W U15G & B U17G/U20G/Open W U17B/U20B/Open M 100M U-20 G & B/Open W & M U-17 G & B U-15 G & B 12:00pm Triple Jump U17G/U20G/Open W U-13 G & B U17B/U20B/Open M U-11 G & B 50M U-9 G & B 10:00am High Jump U15G/U17G/U20G/Open W U-7 G & B U15B/U17B/U20B/Open M 800M U-20 G & B/Open W & M 10:00am Javelin U15G/U17G/U20G/Open W U-17 G & B U15B/U17B/U20B/Open M Shot Put U15G/U17G/U20G/Open W 4 x 100 Relays U-20 G & B/Open W & M U15B/U17B/U20B/Open M U-17 G & B U-15 G & B Discus U15G/U17G/U20G/Open W U-13 G & B U15B/U17B/U20B/Open M U-11 G & B 1500M U-20 G & B/Open W & M U-17 G & B 400M U-20 G & B/Open W & M U-17 G & B U-15 G & B 80M U-7 G & B U-9 G & B 200M U-20 G & B/Open W & M U-17 G & B U-15 G & B U-13 G & B U-11 G & B Shuttle Relay U-9 G & B U-7 G & B Mixed Relays U-20 G & B 4 x 100m U-17 G & B 4 x 400M U-20 G & B/Open W & M U-17 G & B
B.A.C.O. Betty A. Christie Tek Results The Announcers Group Company Ltd. Master Mixx – Lynden Johnson Red Cross Medical Association Royal Bahamas Police Force Video Lab By Gary Miller Gippy’s Printing Sidda Printing Coach David Charlton BAAA Members of The National Youth Choir Volunteers
3 P. A. Stallions 4D Stallions Alliance Athletics Ambassadors Athletic Club Another Level BYDDCCP Bahamas High Performance Bahamas Speed Dynamics Beginners Track Club Blue Chips Athletics Boost Athletics Core Athletics D T S P Wolfpack Fast Forward Athletics High Performance Athletics
Hurry Murray Athletics Jumpers Inc. Kids’ Athletics Academy Kingsway Academy Noble Prep Academy Track Club Phoenix Track & Field Club Power Athletics Quick Step Red-Line Athletics Roadrunners Track Club SCM Team S.P.I.A. Athletics Sea Wave Triathlon Silver Lightning Speed 365
Speed Academy Speed Kids Spirit OF Excellence Star Trackers Striders SunBlazers Track Club Swift Athletics T. Bird Flyers Tigers Elite Unattached University of The Bahamas Unique Athletics Velocity Athletics X- Treme Athletics
“Sports and athletic activities have both physical and psychological health benefits to children, including cardiovascular, strength, immune benefits and overall fitness. Returning to a routine, socializing with friends and coaches will also have mental benefits for children,” Dr. Aria Chandler