Devynne Charlton wins 60m hurdles gold at 2025 World Athletics Indoors
By BRENT STUBBS
It was another goldmedal performance for The Bahamas’ world indoor record holder Devynne Charlton as she repeated as champion of the women’s 60 metres hurdles at the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China. Shooting out of the blocks like a rocket, Charlton surged through the first three flights of hurdles before the pack started to reel her in on Sunday at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Sports Park and, over the final two flights, she held off the field for a season’s best of 7.72 seconds.
“It was a big deal for me to come here and show up, defend my title,” said Charlton, who was eighth on the list of entries for Nanjing on season’s best but peaked when it mattered the most. “It was a big goal for me. It wasn’t looking great, but I trusted the people around me and I was able to pull it off.”
As they packed it at the finish line, the 29-year-old Charlton was not going to be denied the top spot on the podium as she was last year in Glasgow, Scotland, as she held off a pair of 22-year-old rising stars in Ditaji Kambundji from Switzerland, who came through with the silver in 7.73, just ahead of Jamaica’s Ackera Nugent for the bronze in 7.74.
In what was a stacked field, the top six finishers were separated by just 0.04 with Pia Skrzyszowska fourth in a Polish record of 7.74, USA’s Grace Stark fifth in the same time and Nadine Visser of the Netherlands sixth in 7.76. Before this world indoor final, the record number of athletes finishing under
THE St Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine hauled away five of eight division titles on the final day of the National High School Track and Field Championships at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium. SAC took control in the under-15 female division
GARDINER OPENS OUTDOOR SEASON WITH EASY VICTORY IN 300M
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
Gardiner,
Also, elsewhere over the weekend in Kingston, Jamaica, female sprinter Anthonique Strachan made her return to the track as well in the women’s 100m.
Gardiner, the 29-year-old Abaco native representing Adidas, clocked 31.98 seconds to win the race over Jerome Blake of Canada, who did 32.50, while Andrew Hudson, representing Puma, was third in 32.76.
Gardiner still holds the world’s best of 31.52 that he posted in 2022 in the 300m. The Olympic (2020) and World Championships (2019) gold and (2017) silver medallist also holds the Bahamas’ national record of 19.75 in the 200m and 43.48 in the 400m.
Meanwhile Taylor, who also opened her 2025 campaign after competing in the women’s 100m hurdles and the triple jump at the Olympics in Paris, won the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.11.
Lui Lai Yiu of Hong Kong was the runner-up in 13.67 and Brittney Jennings of Miami was third in 13.88. Puerto Rico’s Jasmine Camacho-Quinn, representing Nike, was also in the final, but she didn’t finish the race. Camacho-Quinn, the Olympic 2020 Tokyo gold medallist and 2024 Paris
for a total of 143 points. The Queen’s College Comets were locked into the second spot with 124 points. Sunland Baptist Academy fell to third in the division with 79.50 points. The Big Red Machine had a leading total of 191 points in the under20 female division. The Comets were second in the division with 177 points. Third place went to the Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons at 83.50 points. It was all SAC in the under-15 male division with 133 points. The CH Reeves Raptors trailed for second in the division with 100 points. QC wrapped up third in the division with 67 points.
SAC also emerged victorious in the under-17 division with 139 points. The Comets were on their heels with 137 points. Noble Preparatory Academy rounded out the top three with 53 points.
SAC also prevailed in the under-20 male division with 146.67 points. QC fell to second with 124 points overall and the Temple Christian Suns dropped to third with 72 points. The Comets took the under-13 female division with 114 points. The second spot went to the Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons with 95 points. Bishop Michael Eldon School came third with 47 points. QC was also successful in the under-17 female
GOLDEN GIRL: Devynne Charlton, of The Bahamas, poses after winning the gold medal in the women’s 60 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photos/Dar Yasin)
TENAJH SWEETING
NADINE VISSER, of the Netherlands, and Devynne Charlton (right), of The Bahamas, compete in a 60 metres hurdles semifinal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships yesterday.
SAC clinches five of eight divisions at high school track & field nationals
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division with 199.50 points. The Big Red Machine had to settle for the second position with 150.50 points. The Suns came third in the division with 72.50 points.
Sister Mary Patricia Russell Jr High School won the under-13 male division with 83 points. Sunland Baptist Academy finished second in the division with 79 points. The AF Adderley Tigers closed out the division in the third spot with 59.67 points.
SAC head coach Jason Edwards spoke about how it felt to haul away five division titles.
“I was very pleased with their performances. It speaks to how resilient they are as people not just on the track but off the track as well. Kids are resilient and we always talk about adults and we have stars and people we look up to but kids are the most resilient people in the world. What they did was resilient in bouncing back and not letting the hangover from BAISS affect them,” he said.
Coach Edwards said the next step is to prepare the athletes for CARIFTA Trials which are two weeks away. “The name of the game is to try and keep these kids healthy. Even though we had nationals we tried to make sure that the kids were not overworked and to not do too many events because in two weeks it is their version of the ‘big dance’ which is CARIFTA Trials. These
kids want to win but they also have dreams of representing their country at that level. That is their first step to international competition for track and field so we want to make sure that they are ready and they have every opportunity to go and represent their country,” he said.
More athletes joined the CARIFTA qualifiers count and smashed national high school records on day three of competition.
Field Events Jazae Johnson, of St John’s College, continues to turn heads at just 14-years-old.
The versatile performer came first in the under-15 girls’ long jump event with a final distance of 5.85m. Her mark surpassed the under-17 girls’ CARIFTAqualifying standard of 5.45m and also set a new meet record.
SAC’s Taree Forbes and Symiah Strachan got the next two spots with jumps of 5.75m and 4.94m respectively.
Carlin Archer, of SAC, secured a first-place finish in the under-20 boys’ triple jump event. He soared to 14.74m which was above the CARIFTA-qualifying mark of 14.29m.
His schoolmate Demian Brice came second at 14.24m and Kingsway’s Nicholas Knowles claimed the third podium spot with a jump of 14.23m.
CV Bethel had two CARIFTA qualifiers in the under-17 boys’ discus throw event.
David Doulgas capped off the event with a toss
of 42.78m to go over the CARIFTA-qualifying mark of 41.64m.
His teammate Kaiden Kemp fell to second place with a toss of 41.72m.
Third place went to Kingsway’s Kendal Turner at 39.73m.
His schoolmate Jade Ferguson was sensational in the under-20 girls’ pole vault event. She landed at 2.90m to surpass her old meet record of 2.40m and the CARIFTA-qualifying mark of 2.60m.
Neveah Moncur, representing SAC, was the second best finisher at 2.15m.
Jace Ferguson got the victory for the Big Red Machine in the under-20 boys’ shot put event. He posted a throw of 14.45m.
Second place went to Lynwood Brown, of Kingsway, with his throw of 12.52m.
QC’s Treyvon Simms settled for third place in the event at 12.01m.
Track Events
The Comets’ Brion Ward had a brilliant run in the under-17 girls’ 200m finals. She clocked 24.39 seconds for first and shaved some time off the CARIFTAqualifying mark of 24.65 seconds.
Her schoolmate Zara Fraser was equally as impressive, finishing second in 24.94 seconds. The Falcons’ Rayhanna Saunders crossed the line third in 25.50 seconds.
The Big Red Machine’s Alexis Roberts continues to have a strong season on the track. She requalified in the under-20 girls’ 200m
finals with a time of 24.25 seconds.
The CARIFTA standard is 24.35 seconds.
Finishing second was Tabernacle’s Tanaj Turnquest in 24.49 seconds.
CR Walker’s Brey’Elle Cooper finished third in 25.16 seconds.
SAC doubled up on the medals in the under-20 girls’ 100m hurdles.
Bayli Major requalified with a run of 14.22 seconds, well under the CARIFTAqualifying mark of 14.68 seconds but her time was wind-aided.
Madison Moss also ran a fast time of 14.40 seconds but her time was windaided as well. Jamaya Rolle crossed the line third in 15.32 seconds for QC.
Tabernacle’s Avonte Lotmore was well ahead of his competitors in the under15 boys’ 200m finals. He stopped the clock at 22.90 seconds to replace the former meet record of 22.93 seconds.
Shia Pratt was a few steps behind for second place in 23.44 seconds. Justin Shepherd, of QC, was third overall with a time of 23.53 seconds.
SAC’s Jahcario Wilson bested his competitors in the under-17 boys’ 110m hurdles with a CARIFTAqualifying time of 13.49 seconds.
He also replaced his former meet record of 13.99 seconds set just last year.
The CARIFTA standard for the event is 14.87 seconds. The Comets’ Rohman Rolle was second overall in 14.25 seconds and Simon Sands, of Sands Home School, completed the top three in 14.96 seconds. Wilson and Rolle had identical positions in the under-17 boys’ 200m finals but their times were wind-aided.
Wilson ran 21.52 seconds to prevail in the event. Rolle kept it close but finished with a time of 21.92 seconds.
His schoolmate Kamron Henfield took the third position in 22.26 seconds.
SAC had another strong showing in the under-20 boys’ 110m hurdles.
Jehiel Smikle ran a windaided time of 13.99 seconds for first place. He certainly dipped under the CARIFTA mark of 14.20 seconds but the race had a wind reading of 2.1 mps.
Kersch Mackey, representing SAC, secured second place in 15.31 seconds.
JC Academy’s Lashaun Colebrooke wrapped up the event third in 16.12 seconds.
SAC won the under15 girls’ 4x100m relays, under-15 girls’ 4x400m relay, under-20 girls’ 4x100m relay, under-20 girls’ 4x400m relay, under15 boys’ 4x100m relay and
females between the ages of 18 and 40.
and must have a Bahamian passport or are able to obtain one right away in order to tryout. For more information, interested persons can email secretary.bbf@outlook.com.
The tryouts are slated to take place from 10am to 1pm on Sunday, March 30, at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Interested persons can email cqbahamas@gmail. com for more information.
The league is calling for persons to try their hand at the most Bahamian past time of all times.
under-15 boys’ 4x400m relay.
The quartet of Khylee Wallace, Bayli Major, Alexis Roberts and Darvinique Dean ran a blistering time of 46.24 seconds in the under-20 girls’ 4x100m event to book a trip to the 2025 Penn Relays. Dean and Roberts also teamed up with Syrmiah Crawley and Daveigh Farrington in the under-20 girls’ 4x400m event. The relay team clocked 3:48.57 to secure another Penn Relays spot.
The QC relay team of Everette Fraser, Ishmael Rolle, Zion Davis and Andrew Brown set a new meet record and qualified for the Penn Relays in the under-20 boys’ 4x100m relay.
The team ran 41.20 seconds and lowered the former meet record of 41.36 seconds.
The final Penn Relays spot went to Jack Hayward High School. The relay team of Shawn Saunders, Lamorn Moxey, Tyrone Conliffe and Zion Shepherd came first in 3:15.28 in the under-20 boys’ 4x400m relay.
Additional meet results can be found at www.tekresults.net
Next up for local track and field will be the 2025 Bahamas Association of Athletic Association (BAAA) CARIFTA Trials slated for April 4-6.
A ST Augustine’s College Big Red Machine athlete in
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
Primary schools volleyball champions crowned
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
SANDILANDS Pri-
mary Beacon of Excellence made it three-straight in the girls’ division, while Sybil Strachan Warriors avenged their loss last year to emerge as the boys’ champions of the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association 2025 volleyball tourney.
The champions were crowned on Friday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium with Sandilands sweeping Garvin Tynes in straight sets of 15-7 and 15-9. Sybil Strachan got the best of Stephen Dillet, going the distance for a 15-7, 11-15 and 11-9 victory.
Both teams went through the preliminaries and playoffs undefeated, setting up two classic showdowns in the final.
But for Sandilands Primary, coach Vashon Armbrister, who was assisted by Darshyan Baker, said it seemed as if it was an automatic feat.
“The girls came out here and they executed the way I wanted them to,’ he said.
“This comes to no surprise to me, but I want to give God thanks because without him, none of this would be possible.
“I just want to thank the girls for going out there and playing to the best of their abilities and to come out victorious once again.”
Jasmine Pierre, Derricka Smith, Kahjanae Thompson and Trinique Davis led the charge for the Beacon of Excellence as they took home another title in Fox Hill to Sandilands Primary.
Despite the loss, Crystal Eneas, one of the two coaches for Garvin Tynes, said it was still a rewarding tournament.
“We just have to go back to the drawing board and work on pure fundamentals.
I think that was what was lacking for us,” she said. “But overall, I think our girls did a good job in the tournament. They put their best foot forward.”
Jasmine Major and Latara Thompson provided a 1-2 punch for Garvin Tynes.
Greer Thompson, coach of Sybil Strachan, said her boys played like true warriors.
“We just want to give God all thanks because I told the boys that if they put God first, tell him what they want, he will see them through it,” Thompson said.
“Their performances were great. These boys really went out there and played hard. I want to commend them for their efforts.”
Hernandez Toussaint and Jube Momperous were two
of the leading performers for the Warriors.
Even in defeat, coach Margaret Thompson was still in a jovial mood for her Stephen Dillet team.
“We made some mistakes, but everybody makes mistakes,” she stressed. “They played good considering.”
Kendrick Joseph and Adrian Clarke were considered the team leaders for Stephen Dillet.
In the quarterfinals on the girls’ side, Claridge Primary got by Cleveland 15-2 and 15-13 to set up their semifinal match against Garvin Tynes. Gambier Primary came back to stun EP Roberts 10-15, 15-8 and `0-6 to get into the semifinal against Sandilands.
Garvin Tynes then secured a 15-5 and 15-2 decision to book their ticket
to the final and Sandilands Primary won over Gambier Primary 15-12 and 15-10 to earth their berth.
While Sandilands won over Garvin Tynes in the finals, Claridge Primary held off Gambier Primary 15-5, 14-15 and 10-4 to pick up the third-place trophy.
“I’m so proud of my girls. They really, really wanted to go home with a medal,” said Garvin Tynes’ coach Latoya Sturrup, whose team finished fourth last year.
“Gambier gave us a run for our money. They were really good. But our girls tough together as a team and they got the job done. We’re happy with the third place.”
Garvin Tynes was led by Jamariah Pierre, who turned in an all-round performance.
In the boy’ series, EP Roberts eliminated Garvin Tynes with identical set scores of 15-14 and 15-14 to get into the semifinal against Stephen Dillet and Judith P Thompson, formerly Centerville Primary, won 15-8 and 15-5 to advance to play Sybil Strachan.
Sybil Strachan had to go to three sets for an 11-5, 15-12 and 10-1 comeback victory over JP Thompson to move onto the final and Stephen Dillet out-lasted EP Roberts in a 15-10, 13-15 and 10-6 triller.
Having relinquished their title, JP Thompson made sure they took home some hardware with their 15-9 and 15-7 win over EP Roberts as they watched as Sybil Strachan celebrated as the new champions. “During the semifinal game, our
boys were not focused. I think we celebrated a little too early and it cost us,” said Rashad Cunningham, who along with Sherline Moss, coached JP Thompson.
“We were not focused in the second set. The celebrations threw us off.
“I’m a little but upset, but I’m still happy that the boys got something. We will learn from this experience and be back next year to regain our title.”
Kymarie Cash, a six-yearold second grader, provided a lot of excitement during the tournament.
In one of their games played, he served and scored five straight points. Jason Duncombe, however, was their top performer. Sturrup, who also serves as the president of the association, said the tournament was very competitive this year.
“The children are learning the fundamental skills, bumping and serving and passing,” she said. “They’re learning the game and that is what it’s all about, having fun with it and meeting friends, who could become lifelong friends.”
Clara Storr, the director of the primary schools’ sports division at the Ministry of Education, congratulated all the teams for their participation in the tournament.
“To see Sandilands Primary win the title three years in a row speaks well for their programme as well as to Sybil Strachan, who won this year after getting second in the boys’ division last year,” Storr said.
“I think this year there were some tough matchups in the championships. I’m very excited to see where the programme is headed and what they will produce next year. So congratulations to all the teachers and the officials for a successful tournament.”
AFTER watching the repeat performance of world indoor record holder
Devynne Charlton in the women’s 60 metres hurdles at the World Indoor Championships yesterday in Nanjing, China, Timothy Munnings said he’s even more inspired to lead the Bahamas’ “Fab Five” at the 2025 World Masters Indoor Championships. Munnings, the current world outdoor men’s 55-plus 400 metre record holder, will lead Team Bahamas’ combo of quarter-miler/long jumper Michael Armbrister, sprinter Dr Brian Humblestone, sprinter Miriam Byfield and long jumper
Natasha Brown in action this week in Alachua County Sports & Events Center in Alachua County, Gainesville, Florida.
Munnings said. “From
Although
Armbrister,
Last year in Gothenburg, Sweden, Munnings claimed his first global gold medal when he won the men’s 55-plus 400m in a time of 53.05 seconds after he got
The championships began on Sunday, but Munnings along with the other Team Bahamas members will compete at different times during the week before the competition concludes on Saturday. “I’m very confident. I have limited or very little experience running indoors, but I am confident that my preparations so far will enable me to adapt to the indoor track,” Munnings said. “I don’t feel the pressure. I love the competition. I know being in the United State, their athletes have the home field advantage and they are very confident. But I don’t feel any pressure, I’m ready to go.” Coming off the heels of Devynne Charlton’s repeat gold medal performance at the World Indoors Championships on Sunday, has propelled Munnings even more. “It’s definitely a boost to my enthusiasm,” he pointed out. “We want to demonstrate that we are just high elite performers in the elite level as well as the masters,” Munnings said. “So I’m excited.”
a bronze in the 200m at the Slottsskogsvallen & Ullevi Stadium. The 58-year-old Munnings has ran on Team Bahamas men’s 4 x 400m relay teams that won a bronze at the Olympic Games in 2000 in Sydney, Australia, gold at the World Championships in Edmonton, Canada in 2001 and a bronze at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England in 2002. But the immediate past director of sports at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture said he’s looking to see how well he and the rest of Team Bahamas can perform
VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS: Girls’ division champions Sandilands Primary Beacon of Excellence.
MIRIAM Byfield.
WORLD Masters team, left to right, of Tim Munnings, Natasha Brown, Dr Brian Humblestone and Mike Armbrister.
VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS: Boys’ division champions Sybil Strachan Warriors who avenged their loss last year to emerge as the boys’ champions of the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association 2025 volleyball tourney. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
Derik Queen’s buzzer-beating fadeaway gives Maryland 72-71 March Madness win over Colorado State
By JOSH KIRSHENBAUM Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) — Derik Queen demanded the ball.
With Maryland trailing 71-70 and only 3.6 seconds left against Colorado State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Terrapins coach Kevin Willard gave each of his players a chance to say they wanted to take the last shot. Queen spoke up, using an expletive for emphasis.
The 6-foot-10 freshman from Baltimore banked in a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer, and Maryland won a 72-71 thriller on Sunday to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016.
“Sometimes, you can draw something up for a guy that maybe doesn’t want the basketball,” Willard said. “So once he said that, it was a pretty simple decision, and I could see everyone’s body language kind of perk up a little bit, because he was so confident that he wanted the basketball.
“It was just a simple zipper: Give him the basketball and let him go to work.”
Queen took the ball at the top of the key, drove to his left, elevated over two defenders and kissed it high off the glass as the horn sounded.
“When Coach drew up the play, he trusted me and my teammates trusted me,” Queen said. “I was a little
bit nervous, but I was due for one, and I had to, had to make this.”
Jalen Lake drilled a rainbow 3-pointer over Queen with 6 seconds left to give the 12th-seeded Rams, who were seeking their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1969, a 71-70 lead.
It was a familiar feeling for the Terps, whose last four losses this season all came on the final possession.
“In the huddle, I said, ‘Guys, for the first time, we have time left. It’s our time to make our moment happen,’” Queen said. The Rams were seeking to become the lowest-seeded team to reach a regional semifinal in this edition of March Madness, which had been light on upsets and buzzer-beaters.
Queen took care of the last-second heroics — even though his team was the favored one — and the Terps advanced to face the West Region’s No. 1 seed, Florida, in San Francisco.
“I thought we defended that last play pretty well. It’s about all we could ask for, and he made a freaking unbelievable shot,” Colorado State coach Niko Medved said. “That’s what happens in March Madness and sometimes you’re on their side of it and sometimes you’re on ours.” Queen led fourth-seeded Maryland (27-8) with 17 points, Rodney Rice scored 16 and Julian Reese had 15 points and 11 rebounds as
each of Maryland’s starters known as the “Crab Five” scored in double figures. Maryland’s bench totaled two points. Nique Clifford had 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Colorado State (26-10) and Lake scored 13 points.
Willard, Maryland’s thirdyear coach who before the first round spoke candidly about his frustrations with the program as he seeks a contract extension, took a team to the Sweet 16 for the first time in seven March Madness appearances, five with Seton Hall and one
with the Terps. Maryland trailed by 12 in the first half and was down seven at the break, but the Terps methodically worked their way back in the second half, using their height advantage to pull ahead during the back-and-forth closing minutes.
With 22 seconds left, Reese pulled down an offensive rebound and drew a foul, hitting two free throws to put Maryland up 70-68. After a Colorado State timeout, Clifford drove and kicked the ball to Lake for his 3. But the Rams left just enough time on the clock for Queen to take advantage.
“Not too many people in this world have positive
MARYLAND center Derik Queen, second from left, shoots the game-winning basket against Colorado State guard Ethan Morton (25) during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Bahamians advance in NCAA March Madness
By TENAJH SWEETING
BAHAMIAN collegiate basketball players and coaches experienced mixed results over the weekend as the 2025 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness basketball tournament continued.
The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) Rebels, led by Grand Bahamian coach
Yolett McPhee-McCuin are once again headed to the Sweet 16.
The no. 5 seed Ole Miss Rebels knocked off the no.4 Baylor Bears 69-63 in Waco, Texas on Sunday evening.
The game was knotted at 48 apiece in the third quarter before Ole Miss ran out to a 6-0 run early in the fourth period.
The Rebels led the rest of the way despite Baylor tying the game at 61-61 at the 1:05 mark of the ball game.
Madison Scott nailed a contested jumper with 40 seconds on the clock and Kk Deans put the nail in the coffin by sinking six free throws to close out the game.
Sira Thienou led the Rebels in scoring with 16 points, 6 rebounds and a steal in 35 minutes.
Scott pitched in 14 points, two boards and two assists but was 6-for-15 in the win to secure a Sweet 16 berth.
Under the tutelage of “Coach Yo” the Rebels have made it to their second Sweet 16 in the past three seasons and the 12th in the programme’s history.
McPhee-McCuin spoke about how it felt to advance to the Sweet 16 once again.
“I’m at peace with what happened in the past because for me, that’s all a part of being here and that’s what makes it special,” she said.
“It was really gratifying when the buzzer sounded and we had the victory.”
Ole Miss will matchup against the no. 1 seed UCLA or the no.8 Richmond on Friday in Spokane, Washington for the Sweet 16.
Bimini native Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe and the Bears also were on the receiving end of a loss against the no. 1 Duke Blue Devils.
It was a matchup between top prospects Cooper Flagg and Edgcombe, who are
The Bruins shot 48 per cent from the field while holding Utah to 30 per cent shooting.
Fredrick King and the Creighton Bluejays were unsuccessful in round two of the NCAA basketball tourney. The team lost 82-70 against the Auburn Tigers. King logged two minutes in the game and secured one rebound.
AJ Storr and the Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team were upset 79-72 by the Arkansas Razorbacks in round one.
Storr showed up with 15 points, 3 boards and one assist in 28 minutes.
Kansas cut down an 11-point deficit in the second half to lead 65-64 thanks to a shot by Storr with six minutes to go.
Arkansas reclaimed the lead with free throws and converted a three that shifted the score to 71-67 with less than two minutes remaining.
The Razorbacks held on to the game with clutch free throws down the stretch and sent the Jayhawks packing.
OLE Miss head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin reacts to a call during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Ball State, Friday March 21, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
KANSAS guard AJ Storr (2) takes a shot against Arkansas during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
BAYLOR guard VJ Edgecombe (7) celebrates after making a three-point shot during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Mississippi State, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
UTAH State’s Deyton Albury (13) shoots between UCLA’s Tyler Bilodeau, left, and Eric Dailey Jr. (3) during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament in Lexington, Ky., Thursday, March 20, 2025.
(AP Photo/James Crisp)
Ole Miss women get March Madness redemption in Waco with 69-63 win over Baylor for Sweet 16 spot
By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer
WACO, Texas (AP) — Madison Scott raised her arms in frustration, looking for a foul call after a momentum-building bucket early in the fourth quarter.
The Mississippi senior raised them again — this time in celebration — after putting the Rebels in front for good late.
Scott scored 14 points, including that tiebreaking jumper in the final minute, and Ole Miss advanced to the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament with a 69-63 victory over Baylor on the Bears’ home court Sunday.
Sira Thienou, playing with gauze stuffed into one of her nostrils, scored 16 points as the Rebels (22-10) won twice in Waco three years after a first-round loss that was the first tournament victory for South Dakota.
Scott is the only player on the roster who made the Texas trip with the Rebels in 2022, so the pull-up jumper for a 63-61 lead with 40 seconds remaining was particularly sweet. And the overflowing emotions perhaps understandable.
“Definitely was in the back of my head that I wanted to come and lead my team to victory,” Scott said. “I wanted to come and it be a different story this time. So really, really grateful that we were able to come down here and
be successful and get two wins.”
Aaronette Vonleh scored 16 points and Jada Walker had 15 for the Bears (288), who failed to advance to the Sweet 16 from their arena for the second time in four seasons under coach Nicki Collen. They had done so eight consecutive times under Kim Mulkey, who won three national championships at Baylor.
“It was exactly what I expected,” said fifth-year senior Sarah Andrews, who was trying to help the Bears reach back-to-back Sweet 16s after advancing
at Virginia Tech last year. “Both teams fighting to go to the Sweet 16.”
Ole Miss, which had the resume to be an early round host, settled for the No. 5 seed, its highest since 1994, and moved on to the Spokane 1 Regional. It’s the second Sweet 16 in the past three seasons under coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin and the 12th in program history. Mississippi will play either No. 1 seed UCLA or No. 8 seed Richmond. Those teams tip off Sunday night. “I’m at peace with what happened in the past
because for me, that’s all a part of being here and that’s what makes it special,” McPhee-McCuin said. “It was really gratifying when the buzzer sounded and we had the victory.”
The bucket from Scott that had the senior calling for a foul capped a tiebreaking 6-0 run to start the fourth quarter, but the fourth-seeded Bears hung around.
Baylor pulled even at 59-all on a putback from Vonleh. It was even again at 61 after a bucket from Andrews, who had 14 points, setting up Scott’s
go-ahead shot after a timeout.
Baylor’s Yaya Felder missed a 3-pointer at the other end with 29 seconds to go, and KK Deans iced it for the Rebels from there by making all six of her free throws. Deans, who scored 13 points, also hit a 3-pointer when Baylor went to a zone to start the fourth quarter.
“I thought down the stretch both teams made plays, one play after another, to keep it tied, take a two-point lead, tie it up, take a two-point lead,” Collen said. “They made
one more play than us tonight and made it at the right time.”
Sudden change Ole Miss didn’t score in the final 5:39 of the second quarter, going 3 of 17 from the field with six turnovers overall in the quarter as the Bears finished the half on a 10-0 run for a 29-26 lead. Things changed immediately in the third quarter, with the teams combining to score 10 points in the first 1:22 after the break.
Later in the third, each team made its first 3-pointer of the game, with Andrews connecting for Baylor and Kennedy Todd-Williams answering 18 seconds later for a 38-38 tie.
The teams missed their first 13 shots combined from beyond the arc. Ole Miss finished 2-10 from deep, Baylor 2-15. Keep your wits about you Scott screamed at the officials after getting called for her second foul in the second quarter, and McPhee-McCuin took her out of the game. The coach went to the end of the bench trying to calm her most important offensive player.
“She was just losing it,” McPhee-McCuin said. “I’m like, ‘Maddy, first of all, we’re up. Secondly, you’re fine. Just relax.’ I said at halftime, ‘Guys, when do we get calls on the road? It’s called home cooking for a reason.’ I thought the officials did a great job during the game.”
MISSISSIPPI guard Madison Scott reacts after scoring against Baylor during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerry Larson)
Gardiner opens outdoor season with easy victory in 300 metres
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bronze medallist and World Championships’ 2023 silver and 2022 bronze medallist, had the fastest qualifying time of 12.83, followed by Taylor in 13.21 and Lai Yiu in third in 13.63.
Getting in some speed workout, Camacho-Quinn was the winner of the women’s 100m in 11.34.
American Sedrickia Wynn was the runner-up in 11.52 and Bay’Andria Hodges of Marshall was third in 11.7
Both Taylor and Camacho-Quinn opted not to compete indoors and didn’t participate in the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, over the weekend where Bahamian world indoor record holder Devynne Charlton repeated as the champion.
Fellow Olympian Denisha Cartwright competed in Nanjing as well, but she fell short of advancing to the final. Other members of Team Bahamas in Nanjing were Charlton’s sister Anthaya Charlton in the women’s long jump, quarter-miler Wendell Miller in the men’s 400m and sprinter Camille Rutherford in the women’s 60m. Also at the Hurricane Invitational, Jackson, coming off an impressive
indoor season for the University of Miami that fell short of an appearance in the NCA Indoor Championships, competed in a pair of field events. Her best performance came in the women’s discus where she had a third-place heave of 148-feet, 2-inches or 45.18 metres. Michelle Valentin of Florida International won with 188-9 (57.54m). Amani Heaven of Big Throw Athletics was second with 171-11 (52.42m).
And in the women’s hammer, Jackon placed eighth with her best heave of 176-0 (53.66m). Sara Killinen, competing unattached, won the event with 227-5 (69.33m). Valentin was second with 221-6 (67.51m) and Mariana Pestana of Virginia Tech was third with 206-8 (62.99m).
“I wasn’t very happy with my performances but the season is very early and we have another meet this weekend so I expect it to go better,” Jackson said. “ I just plan to focus on myself outdoors and regularly try to improve.”
Jackson, in her sophomore year at Miami, closed out the ACC Indoor Championships at the Norton Health Care Sport and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky, with an
eighth place in the women’s weight throw, increasing her Bahamian national record to 20.02m.
Sprinter Anthonique
Strachan placed third Over in Jamaica at the Ashenheim Stadium at the Jamaica College in Kingston, after trying her hand at the 60m, Strachan decided to stick with the 100m as she made her comeback from last April with an injury.
“I tried some 60 (metres) earlier in the season but my legs just couldn’t handle it. And my mind was everywhere,” she said. “The last time I ran a 100 was in 2023, my season ended very abruptly and early last year, I basically had no races in 2024 outside of the indoor run.”
The MVP Track Club member competed in the women’s century at the Velocity Fest 16 in the A final of the women’s 100m where she placed third in 11.46. She trailed her Jamaican team-mate Serena Cole, who got second in 11.45. Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, now training in Jamaica as well with the Racers Track Club, won the race in 11.28. Amusan Strachan, the 31-yearold with a lifetime best of 10.92 that she ran in 2023,
won her heat in the preliminaries in 11.71 for the fifth fastest time going into the final.
Amusan, the 27-yearold 100m hurdles world
outdoor record holder, led the field with 11.41. “My plans this year are to worry about myself, getting my mind back to trusting my body and learning my legs
are not in the state it was in last year,” Strachan said.
“I’m getting ready to give them trouble. But mainly to focus on Anthonique and Anthonique’s team.”
ANTHAYA CHARLTON, of The Bahamas, competes in the women’s long jump final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photos/Vincent Thian)
WORLD INDORS IN CHINA: From top, Patrizia Van Der Weken, of Luxembourg, Yujie Chen, of China, Camille Rutherford, of The Bahamas, Destiny Smith-Barnett, of Liberia, and Jodean Williams, of Jamaica, compete at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)
Devynne Charlton wins the gold in 60m hurdles at 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships
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7.80 in a single race was three. The 7.76 would have been enough to win 15 of the past 20 editions of the World Indoor Championships.
“It’s definitely super hard to defend a title at an event like this. The women always show up,” said Charlton, who added the pair of gold to silver in 2022 in Belgrade. “To come away with a win against these ladies, it’s really cool.”
The Bahamas was hoping to have a pair of competitors in the final, but while Charlton posted the fifth fastest time with her second place in the second of three heats in her semifinal earlier in the day in 7.82, fellow Olympian Denisha Cartwright got third in the last heat in 8.08 for 11th overall.
Charlton’s victory, which came on the same day as her younger sister Anthaya Charlton made her global debut in the women’s long jump final, put The Bahamas tied for 12th place with Canada on the medal table and tied at 24th with Greece on the placing table.
Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, who headed the Bahamian delegation to the championships, said Charlton showed why she’s the best women’s indoor hurdler in the world.
“She didn’t have a strong season, she had some knicks and knacks, but she’s a trooper and there’s no one like Devynne,” Archer said.
“When you get to the starting blocks, you know you’re going to come up against a lion because she always brings it.
“World record holder, defending champion indoor champion and she proved why she is the best indoor 60m hurdler in the world.” North American, Central American and Caribbean
(NACAC) president Mike Sands expressed his congratulations to Charlton and her family, including her parents Laura and Dave Charlton, who were in Nanjing to cheer on Team Bahamas.
“Winning a world championship title in and of itself is the ultimate accomplishment and to successfully defend such a title against arguably one of the most competitive hurdles finals ever assembled speaks volumes of Devynne’s talent, dedication, determination and true grit,” he said.
Nobody was prouder of the achievement by the Charlton sisters than their parents, who were on hand as they’ve done in the past to witness the performances.
“This was Anthaya’s first senior championship and she was also the youngest in the field, so to make the finals is an amazing accomplishment,” her mother Laura said.
“We only expect her to get even better during the outdoor collegiate season and in preparation for World Outdoors.”
As for Devynne, Laura said she is just a fierce competitor and always gives everything she has for her country.
“What she did was phenomenal and especially given what a challenging season she had,” she said. “Post the 2024 Olympics, she suffered a broken ankle which delayed her training for the 2025 season.
“She recently strained her muscle while competing in Europe. She is also nursing a bad knee. So to pull off that victory was incredible and we give thanks and praise to God.”
As she got progressively better during the rounds, Charlton lowered her previous season’s best of 7.83 that she did on February 8 at the Armory Track and Field Center in New York. Coming into the championships, 25-year-old Cartwright had a season’s best of 7.78 that she ran on January 25 at the IowaRecreation Building in Iowa City, Iowa.
The former volleyball player is coming off her superb collegiate careerending experience at Minnesota State where she
repeated as the NCAA Division II most outstanding athlete, defending her titles in both the 100m hurdles and the 200, while placing second in the 100m. She also went on to compete at the Olympics where she had to go through the repechage of the women’s 100m hurdles, falling short of qualifying for the semifinals. Charlton, 29, won the world indoor title last year running a world record time of 7.65 in Glasgow, Scotland. She went on to duplicate her sixth-place finish in the final of her second Olympic Games
experience in Paris, France, with a national recordbreaking performance of 12.44.
As for her younger sister, Anthaya Charlton soared to 21-feet, 6 3/4-inches or 6.57 metres for her sixth place on her fourth attempt. Her series of jumps included 20-5 3/4 (6.24m) on her first, a scratch on her second, 21-3 1/4 (6.48m) on her third, 21-6 1/4 (6.56m) on her fifth and 21-3 1/2 (6.49m) on her final attempt. The medal winners were American Claire Bryant with a lifetime best of 22-10 (6.96m) on her fifth try, Switzerland’s Annik
Kalin with 22-5 (6.83m) on her final try and Spain’s Fatima Diame with 22-0 3/4 (6.72m) on her opening mark.
The 21-year-old Charlton was coming off her fourth-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships for the University of Florida a week ago. She posted the world’s leading national record-breaking performance of 22-10 3/4 (6.98m) on January 31 in Fayetteville, Arkansas before Malaika Mihambo of Germany surpassed her with 23-07 (7.07m) on February 7 in Europahalle, Karlsruhe, Germany.
The other two members of Team Bahamas were sprinter Camille Rutherford and quarter-miler Wendell Miller. Rutherford, competing in the women’s 60m, got to the semifinal where she was 24th overall in 7.41 after she was eighth in the first of three heats won by Zaynab Dosso of Italy in 7.07. Dosso finished as the runner-up in the final in 7.06 behind Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland, who came from behind to take the tape in 7.04. Running out of lane five in the second of six heats, the 22-year-old Rutherford qualified from the preliminary rounds with 7.25 for fourth and 7th going into the semifinal.
Miller, the Olympian mixed 4 x 400m relay team
member, placed 16th overall in the men’s 400m with a lifetime best of 47.38, but he didn’t advance to the semifinals.
The 22-year-old Miller, the only male member on the team, was third in the third of five heats in the preliminaries.
Archer said the BAAA management staff that included team manager Foster Dorsette, head coach Bernard Rolle and team doctor Dr. Kent Bazard was particularly pleased with the showing from all of the athletes representing The Bahamas. “Wendell didn’t advance to the semifinals, but he set a personal record, which is good for me because this was his first international competition and his management and coaching staff were equally pleased,” Archer said.
“They said his progress is steady and he’s certainly expected to run very well in the outdoor season. Obviously the indoors, with such a tall stature, made it tough for him, but nonetheless, he was able to establish a personal best.”
Archer said Anthaya Charlton came into the championships with the second-best mark in the world this year and her sixth-place finish keeps her among the top long jumpers in the world. “Anthaya can be one of the best long jumpers in the world,” he said.
“There are some technical things that she can work on to make her the best long jumper the world has ever seen this year.”
As for Cartwright, Archer said they noticed that because of her quickness out of the blocks, she had to make an adjustment in the semifinal and it cost her because she crashed over the first hurdle and was out of the race.
“I can say she is the future of women’s sprints and hurdles. She clearly was one of the favourites going into the final, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” Archer said.
“And although Camille Rutherford didn’t advance, she showed that she can really run with the big dogs. She as a bit disappointed, but I think the outdoors will be an exciting one for her,” he said. The team is scheduled to return home on Tuesday.
DEVYNNE CHARLTON, of The Bahamas, waves on the podium after winning the gold medal in the women’s 60 metres hurdles at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, Sunday, March 23, 2025.
(AP Photos/ Vincent Thian)
SILVER medallist Ditaji Kambundji, of Switzerland, gold medallist Devynne Charlton, of The Bahamas, and bronze medallist Ackera Nugent, of Jamaica, from left, pose on the podium of the women’s 60 metres hurdles at World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, yesterday.
GOLD medallist Devynne Charlton, of The Bahamas, and silver medallist Ditaji Kambundji, of Switzerland, congratulate Ackera Nugent, of Jamaica, while she cries after learning that she had won the bronze in the women’s 60 metres hurdles yesterday.