08152016 sports by tribune242

SPORTS SECTION E

MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2016

Shaunae advances to 400m final in Rio By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubb@tribunremedia.net

RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — It will be another epic final, this time for Olympic gold, as Shaunae Miller tangles with American Allyson Felix tonight. The duo picked up where they left off at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China as the 30-year-old Felix came from behind this time to pull off the victory over the 22-year-old Miller in the semi-final of the women’s 400 metres on sensational Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in one of the highlights on the track of the 2016 Olympic Games. Felix, running out of lane three in the last of three heats, caught Miller in lane four on the back stretch. Felix slowly pulled away coming off the final curve and took it home in the fastest qualifying time of 49.67, a season’s best. Miller, the runner-up to Felix in Beijing, tried to accelerate to catch the American, but she didn’t have enough real estate, finishing second in 49.91, the fourth fastest qualifying time. Jamaican Shericka Jackson was the second fastest qualifier in winning heat two in a personal best of 49.83, holding off American Natasha Hastings, who trailed in 49.90, her season’s best. Miller, the national champion, didn’t come through the mixed zone to talk to the reporters, but as she passed by, 30-year-old Felix quipped: “It’s going to be a lot of fun,” about the rematch with Miller. Although she didn’t come through the zone, head coach George Cleare indicated that she was okay. The final will take place tonight at 9:45pm EST with Miller

BAHAMIANS IN ACTION RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — Here’s a look at the Bahamians in action at the 2016 Olympic Games over the next few days: TODAY Olympic Stadium 8:30am EST - Leevan Sands, ninth competitor in Group A, men’s triple jump qualifying round 8:30am EST - Latario Collie, 21st competitor in Group B, men’s triple jump qualifying round 8:36am EST - Ty’Nia Gaither, heat two, lane six, women’s 200m heats 8:54 am EST - Anthonique

SHAUNAE MILLER, of the Bahamas, and United States’ Allyson Felix, right, compete yesterday in a 400-metre semifinal in the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP) running out of lane seven in between Hastings in six and Jamaican Stephanie Ann McPherson in eight. Felix has drawn lane four

with Jackson in five. Another American, Phyllis Francis - the winner of heat one in 50.31 - will run out of three.

Lane two will be occupied by Libania Grenot of Italy and Otha Zeml Yak of Ukraine will take up lane one.

Strachan, heat five, lane one, women’s 200m heats 9:06am EST - Sheniqua Ferguson, heat seven, lane seven, women’s 200m heats 10:35am EST - Jeffery Gibson, heat one, lane six, men’s 400m hurdles heats 9:45pm EST - Women 400 final

Smith, men’s 200m heats. 7:30pm EST - Trevor and Donald Thomas at No.10 and No.13 respectively in the men’s high jump final 8:05pm EST - Bianca Stuart - Women’s long jump qualifying 9pm - Women’s 200m

9:30pm - Women’s 200m final 9:53pm - Women’s 100m hurdles final Thursday, August 18 Olympic Stadium 11am - Men’s 400m hurdles final 9:30pm Men’s 200m final Friday, August 19 Olympic Stadium 7:40 pm EST - Women’s 4 x 400m relay preliminaries 8:10pm EST - Men’s 4 x 400m relay preliminaries Saturday, August 20 Olympic Stadium 9pm - Women’s 4 x 400m relay final 9:35 pm - Men’s 4 x 400m relay final

Tuesday, August 16 Olympic Stadium 8:50pm - Men Triple jump final 10:05am EST - Pedrya Seymour, women’s 100m hurdles heats 10:50am EST - Shavez Hart, Demetrius Pinder and Teray

semi-final Wednesday, August 17 Olympic Stadium 7:45pm EST - women’s 100m hurdles semi-final 8:15pm - Women’s long jump final 9pm EST - Men’s 200m semifinal

WORLD RECORD

400M FINAL, Page 2

BOLT SHINES BRIGHT, WINS ANOTHER GOLD IN OLYMPIC 100 By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — If there were any doubts, it took less than 10 seconds — 9.81, to be exact — for Usain Bolt to erase them. He is the Olympic champion once again. On a muggy Sunday night in Rio, the Jamaican superstar won the signature event in track and field in a runaway and added this line to his already gleaming résumé: first person to capture three straight 100-metre titles at the Olympics. Bolt beat American Justin Gatlin, who fans greeted with raucous boos, by .08 seconds. Andre de Grasse of Canada won the bronze. He shoved Michael Phelps aside to take centre stage for Week 2 of these troubled Rio Games. He pushed his total to seven Olympic gold medals, with a chance for two more — in the 200 and 4x100 relay — later in the week. Bolt wasn’t the only one putting on a show. A few minutes earlier, South Africa’s Wayde van Niekerk eclipsed what many thought was the most-unbreakable record in the book — Michael Johnson’s 17-year-old mark of 43.18 seconds in 400 metres. Running out of Lane 8, where the lag puts him well in front of the rest of the field, van Niekerk never saw a soul — crossing in 43.03 and only glancing to his left when he approached the line to peer at the clock, which showed him what he had done. “Usain Bolt will be retiring soon, but this could be the next star of the sport,” Johnson said during his commentary on BBC. The current star? That guy named Bolt. The 6-foot-5 sprinter/celebrity overcame his typically slow unfurling from the blocks — he was second-to-last after the break — then churned his legs to gradually build up speed. He caught Gatlin with about 40 metres left and was celebrating — pointing at his chest with his thumb — before he crossed the finish line. After he crossed, Bolt raised the index finger, and then, the real party began. A few minutes after the finish, Bolt was unlacing those now-famous gold spikes and taking selfies with the fans and the medallists from the heptathlon. He turned his yellow hat backward, kneeled down and gave the crowd what it really wanted. It’s that famous,

SEE PAGE 2

Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands’ comeback story one for the ages By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Olympic Games isn’t about sports. It’s about nations, about people, about stories. Sports is just our tangential connection to it all. Every one of the 32 members of Team Bahamas has a story to tell, but the comeback story of Leevan Sands has been well documented …and it had to be. “Superman” has the most interactive performance of any athlete and that has endeared him to his Bahamian fanbase. It’s a symbiotic relationship – he feeds off the

energy of the crowd and we get to feel as if we play a direct part in his success. We were up there with him at the pinnacle in 2008 when he won bronze in Beijing and at the low point when a knee injury denied us a shot at greatness in London 2012. Four years ago, we eulogised his career prematurely in what seemed like the way it had to end – in the pit. That’s because four years ago, many people thought they’d never see him compete at this level again. Others questioned whether they’d ever see him take flight at all.

LEEVAN SANDS

It was round four of the triple jump at the Olympic Stadium in London, England. Sands, who entered the final as the second best qualifier, peered down the runway, gearing up for a jump to keep pace with the remainder of the contenders in the field. We all clapped in unison, sure that this jump was supposed to be the one. Optimism turned to our worst fears realised when we saw Sands land awkwardly, grab his knee and grimace with pain. The end result was a ruptured patella tendon. Fast forward to Rio 2016, and Sands, who turns 35 tomorrow, has done the unthinkable. He’s fought his way back to a famil-

iar spot – the parade of athletes at Maracana stadium - his fourth Olympic Games appearance. “These Rio games are special to me. Even something as simple as the opening ceremony stood out to me more so than usual just because of the special feeling of being back at the Olympic Games, especially after the London incident where I got injured. I’m just excited to be back in this position.” As a senior at Auburn, Sands made his first Olympic appearance back in Athens in 2004. He has undergone the full transition

SEE PAGE 2

PAGE 2, Monday, August 15, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

GOLDEN MOMENTS AT THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

ROSE CAPTURES GOLF’S 1ST GOLD IN 112 YEARS

Van Niekerk shatters world record in 400

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — From the top step of the podium, Justin Rose bowed his head as the Olympic gold medal was placed around his neck, and he stared at it for the longest time. Even for a major champion, this was more than he ever imagined. “It’s a moment you’ve seen in many other sports,” Rose said. “The medal ceremony is what it’s all about, really.” This was why the 36-year-old Englishman circled the Rio Games on his calendar all along, even as some of the biggest names in golf began pulling out. Rose came to Rio to watch, and to win. And when his turn came yesterday, he delivered a gold-medal performance worthy of a 112-year wait. The final round was so tense that no one led by more than one shot until Rose hit a 40-yard pitch to 3 feet, a shot every bit as significant as the 4-iron from 229 yards on the 18th hole at Merion when he won the 2013 US Open. The birdie gave him a 4-under 67 and a two-shot victory over Henrik Stenson to win golf’s first gold medal since 1904 in St Louis. Matt Kuchar of the United States closed with a 63 to win the bronze. How big was golf in the Olympics? “I’ve never been so happy with a third-place finish in my life,” Kuchar said. And then there was Rose. As the final putt fell into the cup, he thrust his fist into the air and popped the British crest on his shirt before turning to embrace Stenson. He raised both arms, pumped his fist again and took a bow.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Bursting out of the blocks in lane eight, Wayde van Niekerk didn’t see another runner during the entire Olympic 400-metre final. He didn’t need to. It was just him against the clock. The South African sprinter broke Michael Johnson’s 17-yearold world record last night in Rio de Janeiro, leaving two of the greatest one-lap runners of this era in his dust. Van Niekerk finished in 43.03 seconds — 0.15 seconds faster than Johnson ran in 1999. To think, Johnson’s mark was considered one of the almost untouchable records in track.

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer

WAYDE VAN NIEKERK, of South Africa, celebrates after winning the 400-metre final last night. (AP)

The 24-year-old Van Niekerk leaned at the finish line, which he really didn’t need to do as Kirani James of Grenada and LaShawn Merritt of the Unites States weren’t even in the picture. James, the defending Olympic champion, finished with the silver and Merritt, who won gold eight years ago in Beijing, hung on for bronze as he staggered across the line. Van Niekerk drove a wedge in rivalry between James and Merritt at the world championships last August, when he beat them both with such a lung-searing performance that he left the track on a stretcher. Now, he’s the fastest ever. This time at the finish, in-

stead of collapsing Van Niekerk dropped to one knee and put his head in his hands. Moments later, he put the multi-coloured South African flag around his shoulders and took off his spikes. As he did so, Van Niekerk pointed at the clock to make sure everyone saw his time. Hard to miss. It was that impressive. Even Johnson thought so. In comments for the BBC — he’s a track and field TV analyst for them — Johnson said: “Oh my God! From lane eight, a world record. He took it out so quick. I have never seen anything from 200 to 400 like that. “That was a massacre from Wayde van Niekerk. He just put those guys away.”

BOLT SHINES BRIGHT, WINS ANOTHER GOLD IN OLYMPIC 100 FROM PAGE 1

JAMAICA’s Usain Bolt celebrates after winning gold in the 100-metre final last night. (AP Photos)

arching, “To the World” pose that he debuted eight years ago in Beijing. Chants of “Bolt, Bolt, Bolt” rang out from the near-capacity stadium. Yes, the show lived up to its billing. But this was not Bolt at his fastest. Four years ago, all three medallists broke 9.8. Nobody did this time. It was not Bolt at his best. Some might argue his gutsy effort at last year’s world championships, when he overcame a season’s worth of injuries to beat Gatlin by .01, might have been the grittiest race he won. But it certainly was Bolt at his most entertaining. It was a show from the time he came onto the track, arms to his side, asking for more applause, until 20 minutes after the race, when he was still working the crowd, posing for photos, making the troubled world of track feel fun again. He turns 30 the day of the closing ceremony and has insisted his Olympic days are over. “A true, true warrior of the sport,” said Yohan Blake, the Jamaican who used to be his main rival. “To come back ... and win it three times. He is a oneof-a-kind sprinter. He really is.”

LEEVAN ‘SUPERMAN’ SANDS’ - A STORY FOR THE AGES FROM PAGE 1 from that point in his career to a veteran team leader. “The biggest difference is the experience level. I’ve been here many times and I don’t feel as overwhelmed as I did as a rookie. I know how to go in the games focused and not let anything distract me. I’ve learned how to handle the games better now as a veteran and I mentor most of the younger guys. I sit them down and have encouraging words with them all the time. Any one of them knows that they can talk to me and they can tell you I always give them good advice. I try to help and motivate them. Mainly it’s about just trying to get them to stay focused and I always tell them to believe in themselves because any one of us can be a winner. It’s all about instilling that confidence in them.” In addition to being a bronze medallist from the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, he also won bronze at the 2003 World Championships in Paris, France and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England. For many of those events, Sands was the standard bearer for the country in the triple jump. In Rio he will be joined by the man many see as his successor in the event, Latario Collie-Minns.

The 22-year-old Texas A&M Aggie and reigning NCAA Champion, is the highest ranked jumper for team Bahamas headed into Monday’s qualification round. “We talk about the future. Latario and the young boys always say they’re going to break my record and I encourage them because all records are meant to be broken. I tell them to follow their dreams and go out there and break it. I broke Frank Rutherford’s record when I was only 21 so I encourage them to do the same now that they’re in that position. When I’m done I would definitely want someone to take over the mantle for me.” Following several years of rehab, Sands exploded back on the scene last year to get on the podium with a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada and became a finalist at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China. “With the road to recovery, I had a lot of people to thank on that. First of all, the doctor who did the surgery, Dr Cheema, he did a great job with it back in 2012. There were a lot of other people involved – Rehab Works in Auburn, they’re the guys who did the work for almost two years. Steve Kisor at Rehab Works and the rest of his team there. Dr Hank Sloan in Cumming, Georgia, played a major role in my come-

back with all those painful knee injections, PRP treatments and prototherapy. Fans, family members and everyone who was there to encourage me when I needed it. My cousin SosaMan, we got together and he documented my recovery process, along with Stephen Hanna and Farenno Ferguson. I’ve been excited about it even though a lot of people didn’t think the Road to Rio was possible, but I’m excited and I can’t wait to compete again.” Despite his amazing story, he’s not content just to be there…he’s there to win. “The way I’m going to approach this year is the same as the last time. Right now I’m focused on getting through the qualifying rounds, that’s key. Right now I’m in good shape and feeling good. There’s just no telling what ‘Superman’ will do when I get out there. To me I can be a different person as long as the crowd is out there and I’m feeling like I’m feeling now. The sky is the limit. Getting into the finals is the key and as always the goal is to go out there and represent the 242 to the best of my ability.” For Superman, doing the unthinkable has almost become commonplace and what we’ve come to expect. That’s how this relationship works and that’s how this story is told. We wouldn’t expect anything less.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, August 15, 2016, PAGE 3

AT THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Thomas, Barry advance to high jump final By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — It was redemption time for national champion Donald Thomas and Trevor Barry as they got into the final of the men’s high jump at the 2016 Olympic Games, four years later after making their exit in the qualifying rounds in London, England. Team Bahamas, however, was hoping to have three finalists for the first time, but Jamal Wilson, in his initial Olympic experience, was just a little short. Last night at the Olympic Stadium, Thomas advanced out of Group B with the best performance at 2.29 metres or 7-feet, 6-inches as he had less knockdowns than Barry, who was fourth in Group A with the same height. While Thomas was pegged at No.9, Barry followed at No.10. They will join a field of 15 competitors, who advanced to the final, set for Tuesday at 7:30 pm EST. Wilson, in his Olympic debut following his first appearance at the IAAF World Indoors, in Portland, Oregon in March, was 13th in Group B with 2.22m (7-3 1/4), which placed him tied with two others for 25th place. “It was good at first, but I fell short at the end,” Wilson said. “Early it felt good over 2.17m (7-1 1/2), but it wasn’t impressive at 2.22m (7-3 1/4). My first attempt at 2.26m (7-5), I should have cleared it. I guess I started to get hard on myself, tried to press a little bit and I just couldn’t get it.” He missed all three attempts.

A FIRST FOR PUERTO RICO AND 23RD FOR PHELPS By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Sports Writer

JAMAL WILSON, of the Bahamas, competes in the men’s high jump qualification yesterday. He did not advance to the final. (AP) Despite not advancing, Wilson gave God thanks for allowing him to make it to the Olympics and he vowed that he will be back for the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London. Wilson, 27, also congratulated both Thomas and Barry and while he wished he was in the final, he said he knows they will represent the Bahamas very well. “This entire year was awesome, not just the Olympics,” said Wilson as he made his breakthrough for his first global competition this year. “The Olympics would have been icing on the cake. But all is not done yet. There’s still next year and I hope that this in-

terview goes a little different. We had some new faces out there. I was a new face too. It should be a competitive final out there.” Barry, coming off an injury, said he’s confident that he will perform very well in the final when he will be the 10th jumper in the competition with Thomas to follow at No.13. “I’m happy to be on this stage again,” he said. “When I come back on Tuesday night, I hope to jump even better.” Barry, the 2011 World Championship bronze medallist, said it would have been good to have Wilson included, considering that this was his first trip to the

four-yearly games. But he indicated that it’s a good learning experience for him and he is convinced that he will make the best of the exposure as he looks ahead to the future. “Jamal is young. He still has the next Olympics,” Barry said. “It’s unfortunate. He’s a very good competitor and he deserves to be in the final. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.” Barry, 33, admitted that he had some issues in his warm up and it carried over in the competition and as a result, he didn’t perform as well as he anticipated, clearing the higher bars. He knocked down his first attempt at 2.26m (7-5) and his

first two at 2.29m (7-6). But he said he’s in and he will focus on making the minor adjustment for the final. “The bar is going to start a little higher, more competition, but I think I can jump higher,” Barry said. He said the Bahamian public can expect to see both Thomas and himself put on a show. Thomas, the 32,-year-old world champion in 2007 in Daegu, Korea, declined to make any comments. He was clean over his first two heights at 2.17m (7-1 1/2) and 2.22m (7-3 1/4), but knocked down the bar on his first attempts at 2.26m (7-5) and 2.29m (7-6) before he cleared them.

Leevan and Latario ready for triple jump By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — For the past three Olympic Games, Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands has been the lone ranger in the men’s triple jump. Now he finally has some company with NCAA champion Latario Collie having qualified to join him. The duo will carry the Bahamian flag into competition today at the Olympic Stadium when the qualifying round is contested at 7:30am EST. “This is a great moment for me, a moment that I’ve been waiting on for a long time,” Sands

said. “Having a fellow Bahamian, someone that I mentored, who was also this year’s NCAA champion, it feels great. These are the guys I’m going to pass the torch down to. “So I’m going to enjoy this experience because for a long time, it’s just been me out there competing for the country in the triple jump. I think it’s been over 1214 years just me out there in the Olympics and the Worlds. But now we have Latario and a lot of other guys coming up, so it feels good to have someone to pass the torch to.” Sands, the bronze medallist from the 2008 games

TODAY AT THE GAMES All times Bahamian Athletics Men’s Triple Jump Qualifying, 8.30am Women’s 200m Heats, 8.35am Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Heats, 9.25am Women’s Hammer Throw Final, 9.35am Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Final, 10.15am Men’s 400m Hurdles Heats, 10.35am Women’s Discus Throw Qualifying Group A, 7.30pm, 8.50pm Men’s Pole Vault Final, 7.35pm Men’s 110m Hurdles Heats, 7.40pm Women’s 400m Hurdles Heats, 8.30pm Men’s 800m Final, 9.25pm Women’s 400m Final, 9.45pm Badminton Men’s Singles (last 16), Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles Quarter-finals, 7.30am Men’s Singles (last 16), Women’s Singles (last 16), Mixed Doubles Semi-finals, 4.30pm Basketball Men Nigeria v Brazil, 1.15pm Spain v Argentina, 6pm Lithuania v Croatia, 9.30pm Beach Volleyball Men’s Quarter-finals, 3pm, 10pm Boxing Women’s 60kg, Men’s 52kg Prelims, 69kg Semi-final, 10am Women’s 60kg, Men’s 52kg Prelims, 69kg Semi-final, 91kg Gold Medal, 4pm Canoe-Kayak (Sprint) Men’s C-1 1000m Heats, 8am Men’s K-1 1000m Heats Women’s K-1 200m Heats Women’s K-2 500m Heats Men’s C-1 1000m Semi-finals Men’s K-1 1000m Semi-finals Women’s K-1 200m Semi-finals Women’s K-2 500m Semi-finals Cycling (Track) Women Sprint, 1/8 Final, 9am Men Omnium, Kilometre time trial Women Sprint, repechages 1/8 Final Women Omnium, Scratch 10km

in Beijing, China, is on the comeback trail after he suffered a near career-ending injury in the final of the 2012 Olympics in London, England. “I expect greatness,” said Sands, who has documented his comeback. “I came back from a hard-fought four years from the injury. It hasn’t been easy, but now I am here. I’m just thankful to God that he has given me another chance to compete for my country in the triple jump this year at the Olympic Games here in Rio.” Collie, who had a chance to qualify for London, but suffered an injury that prevented him from compet-

Men Omnium, Flying lap, 3pm Women Sprint, Places 9 to 12 Women Omnium, Individual Pursuit 3km Men Omnium, Final Points race 40km Women Omnium, Elimination Diving Men’s 3m Springboard Prelims, 3pm Equestrian Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle, 9am Handball Men Poland v Slovenia, 8.30am Germany v Egypt, 10.30am France v Denmark, 1.40pm Sweden v Brazil, 3.40pm Croatia v Tunisia, 6.50pm Qatar v Argentina, 8.50pm Hockey Women’s Quarter-finals, 9am, 11.30am, 5pm, 7.30pm Gymnastics (Artistic) Men’s and Women’s Apparatus Finals, 1pm Sailing Men’s Laser (medal race), Women’s Laser Radial (medal race), Men’s 470, Women’s 470, Men’s 49er, Women’s 49er FX, noon Swimming Women’s Marathon, 8am Synchronised Swimming Duet Technical Routine, 10am Table Tennis Women’s Team Semi-final, 9am Men’s Team Semi-final, 2pm, 6.30pm Volleyball Men Argentina vs. Egypt, 7:30 a.m. United States vs. Mexico, 9:35 a.m. Russia vs. Iran, 1 p.m. Poland vs. Cuba, 3:05 p.m. Italy vs. Canada, 6:30 p.m. Brazil vs. France, 8:35 p.m. Water Polo Women’s Quarter-finals, 1.10pm, 2.30pm, 5.20pm, 6.40pm Weightlifting Men’s 105kg Prelims, 2.30pm Men’s 105kg Final, 6pm Wrestling (Greco-Roman) 85kg and 130kg Group Stage, 9am. 85kg and 130kg Medal Stage, 3pm

ing, said the pleasure is all his to be in company with Sands, whom he looks up to as one of his idols. “My first time watching him was in 2008 and after that, I said ‘yeah, I have to be there’.” And now that he’s here, Collie said he intends to make the best of his opportunity. “I expect more than the best for me because I’ve always been good over the years and I want to continue on with my greatness,” he said. And with this being his maiden voyage to the world’s biggest sporting stage, Collie said he’s trying to take in every bit of the exposure he can get. Sands, however, cautioned Collie in not getting too overexcited about seeing the stars because they’re all at the same level now.

“Just treat this as a regular meet,” he pointed out to Collie. “It’s okay to take pictures, but I made the mistake my first Olympics. I was too overwhelmed by all of the stars from around the world. I was taking too many pictures and after that, I took a different approach and I was very successful in the other Olympics. “So I would just tell him to stay focused and still set your goals and your dreams and just go for it. The sky is the limit.” And to the 242 in The Bahamas, Sands advised them to continue to follow Team Bahamas because “we’re doing big things. I just want to shout out to everybody home in the 242. We’re going out there and we’re going to do our best and represent the Bahamas”.

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Michael Phelps claimed his 23rd gold medal. Puerto Rico won its first ever. And Jamaica got its first gold of the Rio Games with an emphatic win in the marquee Olympic sprinting event. Phelps helped lift the 4x100 medley relay team to victory Saturday in what marked his last race before retiring, capping a night of extraordinary accomplishments in the 2016 Olympics. Elaine Thompson of Jamaica won the women’s 100-metre title in 10.71 seconds, ending fellow Jamaican ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce’s bid to win the event for a third straight Olympics. She won the race in dominating, Usain Boltlike fashion — and it may be a sign of things to come for Jamaica in the coming days. Bolt thrilled the crowd at Olympic Stadium on Saturday in his first appearance of the games. Monica Puig won Puerto Rico’s first gold medal in any sport in Olympic history, upsetting Angelique Kerber in the women’s tennis singles final. Puig is ranked 34th and is the first unseeded women’s singles gold medallist since tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988. On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal was toppled by Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, ending his bid for a second Olympic singles gold medal. Klay Thompson ended an Olympic-long slump with 30 points, and the U.S. needed almost all of them to hold off France 100-97 in basketball. It was the third straight close call for the favorites, who are looking as beatable as ever under coach Mike Krzyzewski. Second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain beat Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina for his second consecutive Olympic singles tennis gold medal.

PAGE 4, Monday, August 15, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

AT THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

‘So far, we’ve gotten some pretty good performances’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — While all of the performances at the 2016 Olympic Games have not been what was anticipated so far from the Bahamas track and field team, head coach George Cleare said he’s confident that it will only get better before the competition ends on Saturday night. “It’s been a rough meet. So far, we’ve gotten some pretty good performances,” Cleare said. “Of course, Shaunae Miller looked exceptionally well in her heat and she’s looking good going into the final, so we are very proud of what she has accomplished.” Cleare, however, said that while he has to commend national Shavaz Hart for posting his season’s best of 10.28 seconds for 37th, Adrian Griffith and Jamial Rolle struggled in placing 61st in 10.53 and 64th in 10.68 respectively. Neither advanced out of the first round.

Nor did Ty’Nia Gaither, who was 39th in the women’s 100m heats in 11.56. “The sprinters didn’t perform as well as I expected, but they still performed as best as they could under the circumstances,” Cleare said. “The competition here has been extremely tough and you almost certainly have to be at your best in order to advance.” That was evident in the men’s 400m where both Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown and Alonzo Russell got eliminated in the first round. Steven Gardiner got out of the first round, but had his share of problems in the semi-final and missed an opportunity to get into the final. “He ran a lot better last year at this level (at the World Championships in Beijing, China), so he now has to change gears quickly and get over the 400m and focus on the 4 x 400m. They had the first two heats stacked and in his heat, it was just difficult for him to get out. It was just tough out there for him.”

BAHAMAS track and field head coach George Cleare All things considered, Cleare said the best is yet to come with the jumpers all waiting to do their thing in the men’s high jump, which held its qualifying round last night for Donald Thom-

as, Trevor Barry and Jamal Wilson; the men’s triple jump, featuring Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands and NCAA champion Latario Collie and the women’s long with Bianca ‘BB’ Stuart, as well

as the hurdlers, Pedyra Seymour in the women’s 100m hurdles and Jeffery Gibson in the men’s 400m hurdles; the men and women 200m and the men and women 4 x 400m relays.

“It’s a tough meet, but right now everybody is focused and they re all geared up and ready to compete over the final week of competition,” he stressed. “We’re just going to continue to fight and hopefully we will get the kind of performances that we had anticipated from our athletes.” With the issue of whether or not Shaunae Miller will run the 200m or not sorted out with Gaither, Anthonique Strachan and Sheniqua ‘Q’ Ferguson all set to contest the event, Cleare said they are moving forward in a positive manner and while there are some athletes going through their “baptism by fire”, there are sufficient veteran athletes who are helping to guide them along. Cleare said he’s still confident that The Bahamas will get its flag hoisted in a medal ceremony, but he is also looking for a number of athletes to produce their personal and season best performances, based on how intense the competition has been here so far.

Vanderpool-Wallace just misses the cut for 50m free final By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — The Bahamas’ three-member swim team left the 2016 Olympic Games with high marks from the president of the Bahamas Swimming Federation, Algernon Cargill, and a lot of expectations going into the future. Cargill’s comments came after Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace put the icing on the cake in the semi-final of the women’s 50 metre freestyle on Friday night at the Olympic Swim Complex where she was fourth in her heat in 24.60 seconds, but was ninth overall, just missing the cut of eight for the final. Vanderpool-Wallace, in her third Olympic appearance, led the Bahamian delegation that included Joanna Evans, who successfully participated in three events and Dustin Tynes, who took part in one, both making their debut. “Arianna has represented The Bahamas at the highest level and has given 110% effort in her attempts to win an Olympic medal,” Cargill said. “Her ninth place performance in the 50 freestyle is commendable, given that she has bested some of the swimming greats in Rio. We are extremely proud of her performance and look for her continued leadership in the pool and mentoring of young Bahamian swimmers for years to come.” Not only was the women’s 50m free one of the more competitive

BAHAMAS swim team (l-r) of coach Lionel Moreau, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Joanna Evans, Dustin Tynes and head coach Andy Loveitt. events, but Cargill admitted that there was stiff competition across the board in each discipline. “It has been well-organised and our swimmers learnt from this experience, all taking something back with the most important lesson being that staying on top requires even harder work as there are many beating a path to your doorsteps,” he insisted. “So, the training has to be intensified, the errors eliminated, and the focus sharpened as they prepare for Hungary 2017 World Championships and the 2016 World Short Course Championships in Windsor.” Evans, the 18-year-old Grand

Bahamian attending the University of Texas, posted a pair of Bahamas national records in the women’s 400m freestyle in 4:07.60 for 13th overall and 2:01.27 in the 200m free for 37th. In her speciality in the 800m, Evans came 23rd in 8:42.93. “Joanna has performed at an exemplary level and her 400m swim will be one for the memories! She has witnessed the best swimmers in the world and can see first hand the intensity of their workouts and their commitment to excellence,” Cargill stressed. “I’m confident that she has taken from this experience that being 13th best in the world is

a stepping stone to the podium in Japan in 2020. She is taking about two weeks off to regroup before she starts her second year at Texas and her campaign for the big meets that will come in her career.” Cargill, however, noted that Evans was disappointed with her 800m swim and “in my mind was just tired”. “She had a very long college season and intensified her training for Rio without a break since Carifta 2015 where she again repeated as the most outstanding swimmer,” he pointed out. “She swam three tough and long races in Rio and will be meeting with

her coaches where she will develop her plans to continue to get stronger and faster.” As for Tynes, 44th in the men’s 100m breaststroke in 1:03.71, Cargill chalked it up to a memorable experience. “Yes, he did not get his best times as he had hoped, but he nonetheless performed at a high level, attaining Olympic qualifying times several times this season and as recent as July 2016 at CISC in Nassau,” Cargill said. “I have recommended to him that he adds more distance to his programme and expand his events to include individual medleys. “During his meetings with his Ohio State coaches, he will be discussing this along with his plans for the next few years. He has qualified for World Outdoors and World Short course and is planning to attend both meets as well as continue training for Tokyo.” Cargill thanked head coach Andy Loveitt and Lionel Moreau for the level of professionalism that they brought to the team in Rio and their excellent working relationship with our Olympians. “Lionel particularly proved to be a valuable asset as he is also a certified sports therapist and worked directly with our team and assisted several track and field athletes with massages during the first week of the competition,” Cargill summed up. The games may be over for swimming, but Cargill said Vanderpool-Wallace, Evan and Tynes left their impression on Team Bahamas, one way or the other.

Meet our Olympians Name: Alonzo Russell Nickname: “AJ” Age: 24 High School: Jack Hayward High College: Essex County College, Florida State University Best subject: Psychology Event (s): 400m Best time (s): 45.25 International teams competed on: Coached by whom: Ken Harnden Medals won: 2016 World Indoor 4x4 Silver Medallist, 2015 World Relays 4x4 Silver Medallist, 2014 Commonwealth Games 4x4 Silver Medallist Favourite colour: Red Favourite food: Cracked Conch Dinner Favourite movie: Friday After Next Idol: My mom Parents: Ruth Smith (deceased), Alonzo Russell Sibling (s): Aloniqua Russell (twin), Alondre Russell Status - Married, engaged, single: Single

Expectations for Rio: My expectations are to execute my races to the best of my ability and advance as far as possible through the rounds. Most importantly, to leave Rio with

some hardware. • The Tribune is featuring profiles of the Bahamian Olympians daily in the buildup to the 2016 Games in Brazil next month

QUARTER-MILER ALONZO RUSSELL

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, August 15, 2016, PAGE 5

AT THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES IN RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

National record holder Gardiner falls short in semi-final of 400m By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — National record holder Steven Gardiner knew that he let a golden opportunity slip away from him in the semifinal of the men’s 400m on Saturday at the 2016 Olympic Games. Unfortunately, there was nothing that he could do about it. Gardiner, 20, clocked 44.72 seconds, but it was only good enough for fifth place in the last of three heats and left him three spots adrift in 11th overall as he missed the cut of eight to get into the final that was contested last night at the Olympic Stadium. “My semi-final was tough last night,” said Gardiner, who had to get medical assistance after he completed the race. “I just wanted to go out there and fight for it, but I didn’t make it to the final, but I know I did my best and I fought through it.” In what had been considered the weaker of the three heats, Gardiner got out with the pack, but on the back stretch allowed the field to get away. By the time they came off the final curve and into the straight, he tried to accelerate, but it was a little too late. “At the 200, the lactic acid started to kick in so I had to fight and bring it home,” he said. The top three finishers in the heat advanced to the final, including Grenada’s

GRENADA’S BRALON TAPLIN, left, Bahamas’ Steven Gardiner and United States’ Gil Roberts, right, compete Saturday in a 400-metre semifinal at the Olympic stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP) Bralon Taplan, the winner of the heat in the fourth fastest time of 44.44; Great Britain’s Matthew HudsonSmith in a personal best of 44.48 and Ali Khamis from Bahrain, who established a national record in 44.49. “It

was unbelievable,” Gardiner summed up. “It hurt, but I just have to move on.” Gardiner, making his Olympic debut, will now join veteran Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown and newcomer Alonzo Russell, who didn’t

make it out of the first round, as they prepare to help The Bahamas defend their title in the men’s 4 x 400m relay when the athletic competition of the games comes to a close on Saturday night. “We’re

really looking forward to that,” Gardiner said. “After none of us got a medal in the 400m, we want to make that, that we come back and do it in the relay.” The Bahamas is the defending champions from

London 2012. Ramon Miller is not here, but also included in the relay pool are Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Stephen Newbold. The preliminaries will kick things off on Friday night.

CHRIS ‘FIREMAN’ BROWN GIVES HIS ALL BUT FAILS TO QUALIFY FOR SEMI-FINAL By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — After five appearances, Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown will walk away from the 2016 Olympic Games knowing that he gave it his all in his quest to win that elusive individual medal. The 36-year-old veteran’s final bid came to an end on Friday night, the first day of competition at the Olympic Stadium, where he finished fifth in his heat in a season’s best of 45.56 seconds. But he had to sit and wait on pins and needles for the final tabulation to see whether or not he had qualified for the semi-final. When it was all said and done, he had missed the cut of 18 by two spots. “I just thank the Lord for allowing me to be here to get this

experience under my belt,” said Brown, the elder statesman and male team captain for Team Bahamas in Rio. “Being able to compete healthy, with this being my first race, I was a little dusty. So just being able to come here and to take part was a blessing for me.” Running out of lane one, Brown had to make up a lot of ground and although he powered from behind on the back stretch and was in contention coming off the final curve, he just didn’t have enough left in the tank to catch the top competitors. Trinidad & Tobago’s Lalonde Gordon was the eventual winner of the heat in 45.24 for a two-way with Bahamian national record holder Steven Gardiner, who was the only quarter-miler to advance after he got second in his heat. Defending Olympic champion Ki-

rani James from Grenada posted the fastest qualifying time of 44.93. “Lane one was a bit difficult too, and this was my first race since the (Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations) trials (in June) and I needed to get the dust off,” Brown said. “It’s unfortunate that I didn’t make it through the first race. “It was my first race since the National Championships, so I was happy that I got here and got the dust off. It didn’t work out how I wanted it to. I know a lot of people were praying for me to get out of here and into the semi-finals, but that’s the luck of the draw. It didn’t happen today.” It was the first time in quite a while - so long that even he couldn’t actually remember when it didn’t advance out of the first round of one of the major international meets, including the

Olympics and the IAAF World Championships. “I was not race sharp and a lot of the guys were race sharp,” Brown admitted. “It was very difficult for me to run out of lane one against the guys who I know had more races under their belt. “So for me to be here today and to race against them is a blessing for me. It’s a still a blessing for me because I was able to make it around the track and be healthy.” In some ways, his disappointment could be a blessing in disguise as Brown can now turn his attention on trying to help the men’s 4 x 400m team successfully defend their title from the 2012 Olympics in London, England. “Being able to get in and get out of the first round would have been great for us, but again, I was not race sharp,” Brown said. “I’m not sure about Alonzo (Russell, the

other Bahamian, who didn’t advance), but it definitely helps us to be able to defend our title in the 4 x 4. “We will have fresh legs and we know we have the experience going out there. We know that a lot of guys are running, so it’s not going to come easy for us. We have to work, but for me also being here battling a head cold for the last couple of days was not easy. But I’m just looking forward to helping my team-mates get into the final and on the podium.” That opportunity won’t come until Friday when the preliminaries are held with the final on Saturday, hopefully bringing the curtain down on Brown’s illustrious Olympic career, spanning a total of 20 years, one of the longest tenures by any stretch of imagination for any athlete, Bahamian or otherwise. Five and done.

Sprinters Hart, Griffith and Rolle eliminated in 1st round of 100m By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedi.net RIO de Janeiro, Brazil — Three competitors contested the men’s 100 metres, but neither Shavez Hart, Adrian Griffith or Jamial Rolle were able to advance out of the first round. Although he had a season’s best of 10.28 seconds, national champion Hart, running out of the hyped up heat that featured defending champion and world record holder Usain Bolt from Jamaica, stumbled a bit coming out of the blocks, but managed to power back for a fifth place. The 23-year-old graduate of Texas A&M University placed 37th overall for the best showing of the trio. “I feel like I came on pretty late,” Hart said. “The start was pretty good, but I just didn’t have a good drive phrase.” When asked about running against Bolt, who cruised through the line in 10.07, Hart said it was like a usual track meet. “Obviously, more of the crowd was involved, but it wasn’t any nerves on me,” he stressed. “I had a good reaction, but stumbled early on. By the time I got my foot against these world class athletes, they were already

BAHAMAS’ ADRIAN GRIFFITH, far right, United States’ Marvin Bracy, centre, and Ghana’s Sean Safo-Antwi compete in a men’s 100-metre heat in the Olympic stadium on Saturday. (AP) out there and I made up as much ground as I could.” Hart, the Grand Bahamian native, said he will now turn his attention on the 200m. He will be back for his double duties, starting

on Tuesday morning with the preliminaries. “I’m looking forward to that,” he said. Hopefully, he can make up for his showing in the century.

Griffith, the 31-year-old sprinter from Dickinson State, was eighth in his heat in 10.53 for 61st overall. He called his race “horrible” as he was nowhere near the top of the field that saw for-

mer Jamaican Kemarlery Brown, who is now competing for Bahrain, take the tape in 10.13. “I kind of got left at the beginning, got blanked at the beginning, tried to

come back on the guys, but I kind of just gave up,” Griffith said. “It was a long hold on the blocks before we got into the set position, but I kind of blanked out. It was a bad race.” Rolle, on the other hand, was 64th in 10.68 out of a field of 69 competitors after he came through in eighth place as well in the his heat in 10.68. Canadian Andre de Grasse picked up the win in 10.04. Rolle, 35, was never in the mix as he experienced some difficulty and, in a precautionary move, he ended up eighth as well in 10.68. The winner of the heat was Canadian Andre De Grasse in 10.04. “In the warm-up, I was feeling a little something in my hamstring, my hip attachment, so I just tried to block it out,” Rolle said. “So I went there and just tried to run it out. “But when I got to about the 40 (m) and I tried to lift, I just felt it and I just hobbled all the way through to the finish line.” While both Hart and Griffith are looking ahead to their future, Rolle is now contemplating retirement. He indicated that he will take some time to analyse his future before he makes a decision on what direction he will take from here.

PAGE 6, Monday, August 15, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

With 1-2 record, Bahamas ends up 3rd overall in Group E By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas completed the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Under-15 Girls Championship with a 1-2 record at the Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Following Thursday’s 4-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas lost 3-1 to Bermuda on Saturday and 3-0 to the Cayman Islands yesterday. The roster for Team Bahamas includes goalkeepers: Ambrielle Major and Kendi Outten, Defenders: Aliyah Clarke, Claudisha Curtis, Derrica Ferguson, Danae Malcolm, Tenniya Martin, Adon-

ya Rolle, Tori Seymour, Midfielders: Cimone Hanna, Tyra Mckenzie, Kourtni Pinder, Gabrielle Simms, Abigail Simms, Mckell Yallop, Abigail Victor and Forewards: Jenai Adderley and Angel Daxon. In the opening win, the Bahamas got goals from McKenzie (14’, 70’+1 pen), Simms (16’) and Yallop (65’). After Zolique Samuels gave Antigua an early 1-0 lead, the Bahamas scored four unanswered en route to the win. In game two, Abagail Simms (61’) was the lone goal scorer for the Bahamas while Bermuda got goals from Leilanni Nesbeth (22’, 36’) and Adia Gibbons (46’). The Bahamas finished third in Group E, won by Bermuda’s per-

fect 3-0 record, followed by Cayman at 2-1 and winless Antigua closing out the standings. The tournament is designed to encourage development for youth players from across the Confederation, while promoting competition at the international level for all member associations – including those for which few opportunities have previously existed at this age level. The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando will play host to all the group phase and knockout round matches. Teams will be divided into three groups of five teams and two groups of four teams. All of the group winners, plus the second place teams from the five-team groups, will advance to

the quarter-finals. The opening ceremony for the event took place on August 9, featuring addresses from CONCACAF General Secretary, Philippe Moggio, and FIFA and CONCACAF Councils member, Sonia Bien-Aime. “We aim at creating a women’s football movement that encourages more girls to participate in the sport,” said Moggio. “Beyond the competition, we want you to continue to develop and perfect your play. In addition, you can help inspiring other girls to play the game.” Bien-Aime, who also serves as president of the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association, talked about her passion for football and competition.

She encouraged the convened players to pursue a sports career both on and off the field. “Football doesn’t end here on the field, the sky is the limit,” Bien-Aime said. “The possibilities for a career in the sport arena are endless.” Over the past few years, CONCACAF has targeted women’s development and have hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2014 Under-17 and the 2014 Under-20 Women’s World Cups. Locally, the Bahamas Football Association hosted its own initiative on Women’s Football Day back in May. They are also currently hosting a Women’s League following a historic draft process in July.

Buddy Hield back to work for the Pelicans

‘TUM TUM’ LOOKS HEALTHY TO LEAD THE SPARTANS

By RENALDO DORSETT Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING the fanfare of his trip back home, Buddy Hield was back at work this week for the New Orleans Pelicans. Hield recently participated in a rookie photoshoot for Panini trading cards and told ESPN the first plans he had for spending his new rookie contract. “Just getting my mom a house,” Hield said to ESPN. “Getting her a house and she’ll be straight. We’re working on it. She’s in a different place now, but she’ll be here soon.” Hield, the No.6 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, officially signed with the Pelicans in late July. According to the Oklahoma Daily: “The deal, structured by the NBA’s rookie salary scale, will pay Hield just over $3.5 million in his rookie season. The Pelicans will hold team options on the third and fourth years of the contract, but if both are picked up, then Hield will make upwards of $15.8 million dollars.” Hield appeared in five games for New Orleans during the 2016 Samsung NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. Hield, 6-4, 214, comes off his senior season at the University of Oklahoma, where he claimed the Naismith Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, John R Wooden Award, Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award, as well as Consensus First Team All-America, Big 12 Player of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 honours. Hield helped lead the Sooners to the 2016 Final Four on his 25.0 points per game, ranked second in the nation, and his top ranked 3.97 threepoint field goals per game, while registering 12 30-point performances during the course of his senior campaign. Over his four-year career, Hield averaged a career 17.4 points, finishing as the Big 12’s all-time leading scorer (2,661). Hield received a heroes’ welcome last month in both New Providence and Grand Bahama. The list of activities included the inaugural Buddy Hield Invitational, a portrait of Hield placed on the Sporting Icons “Walk of Fame” and a three-day camp in Grand Bahama.

ANTICIPATING a healthy Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr, he is pegged as one of the upperclassmen leaders of his Michigan State Spartans. The junior point guard struggled through an injury plagued sophomore year, but Nairn has looked healthy enough this summer to deliver a series of impressive performances at the Moneyball Pro-Am. Nairn finished with 25 points in the league championship, while highly touted incoming freshman Miles Bridges added 35, but their Team Green lost 93-82 to Team Black. Spartans centre Gavin Schilling led Team Black with 23 points while another highly touted freshman, Josh Langford, scored 10. Nairn made several jumpers from three-point range and even threw down a fastbreak dunk in the title game, a welcome site to the Spartan faithful who witnessed last season’s struggles with the foot injury. The Moneyball Pro-Am is a highly regarded league in Dimondale, Michigan which usually many division I players including most players on the Spartans current roster in the given year. Players throughout the state took part including those from Michigan, Detroit, Oakland and Eastern Michigan. Nairn is one of the few remaining players from last year’s rotation, which also featured current NBA rookies Denzel Valentine, Matt Costello, Deyonta Davis and Bryn Forbes. Marvin Clark Jr. and Javon Bess also left the programme via transfer. Nairn, Schilling and Alvin Ellis III are the only players on the current roster that have played at least two seasons for the Spartans. Despite a season hampered by injury, “Tum Tum” was still recognised by his Spartans for his leadership attributes. Nairn was awarded the Stephen G Scofes Inspirational Player Award for the second straight season when the Spartans programme hosted its annual Men’s Basketball Awards Banquet for the 2015-16 season. He battled a nagging plantar fasciitis injury all season long but missed just seven games, while ranking among the national leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio (7th, 3.78). In 28 games played last season, Nairn averaged 2.8 points and 3.3 assists per game. Prior to the injury, Nairn started all 18 games at point guard and averaged 4.1 points and 4.5 assists in 24.1 minutes per game. He was sidelined for seven games before making a return to the court on February 14. With him sidelined, the Spartans had dropped four spots in the poll and had went 4-3 in that timespan. After the injury he played sparingly at just an average of 8.3 minutes per game with a high of 14 minutes against Penn State, but the Spartans won nine straight when he returned. The season ended for the No.2 Spartans in the opening round with a bracket busting 90-81 upset loss to No.15 MTSU in the Midwest Region. The Blue Raiders featured Bahamian player Stephen Strachan, currently a redshirt junior. The Blue Raiders lost in the round of 32 with a 75-50 loss to the No.10 Syracuse Orangemen.

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS’ Buddy Hield is back at work in the NBA.

SCOTIABANK CUSTOMER TRAVELS TO RIO, COURTESY OF VISA SCOTIABANK customer Prescola Davis is off to Rio along with her husband, courtesy of VISA. The couple left on Friday for the 2016 Olympic Games. Davis will enjoy a 4-day, 3-night trip for two to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to attend the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The trip, which is valued at approximately $12,000, includes round-trip airline tickets for two with airport meet and greet, three nights accommodation at the Windsor Atlantica Hotel with stunning views of the sea, Olympic event tickets, VISA Olympic-themed merchandise, a VISA Prepaid card and ground transportation.

The couple will also tour Sugarloaf by cable car to the top of the mountain to take in breathtaking panoramic views of Guanabara Bay and Rio de Janeiro. Davis is Scotiabank’s winner of a recently held credit card campaign in which she used her VISA for everyday purchases. Her name was selected by an automated random draw, completed by Scotiabank.

PICTURED (l-r) are Maxine Seymour, Manager, Public & Corporate Affairs, Scotiabank with Prescola Davis, grand prize winner.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, August 15, 2016, PAGE 7

Bahamas gets 4-3 victory over Estonia in friendly

THE BAHAMAS Beach Soccer National Squad recorded its second official victory over a European side by beating Estonia 4-3 in their own backyard in Parnu on August 12. It was a dream start for Team Bahamas, with Lesly St Fleur scoring twice early on to give the ‘Rake and Scrape Boys’ a two-goal cushion. After a goalless 2nd period, the Bahamas found the net a third time through Timothy Munnings Jr. The Estonian team would find some fight in them, clawing back to tie the score at three. With the full time whistle approaching, a towering header from Ehren Hanna would secure the win with the match ending 4-3 in favour of the Bahamas. Said Jason McDowall, vice president of the Bahamas Football Association and head of beach soccer: “It was nail-biting, but the team did it. It was a good win. Estonia ranks 10 spots higher than us so it was not going to be an easy match. I am proud of what the team did today.”

THe WeaTHer repOrT

5-Day Forecast

TOday

OrlandO

High: 91° F/33° C low: 76° F/24° C

Tampa

Tuesday

Wednesday

THursday

FrIday

Partly sunny, a t‑shower in spots

Partly cloudy with a shower

Partly sunny with a stray t‑shower

Partly sunny, a t‑storm in spots

Sunshine and a few clouds

Mostly sunny

High: 93°

Low: 79°

High: 92° Low: 78°

AccuWeather RealFeel

105° F

90° F

105°-90° F

105°-88° F

111°-93° F

High: 91° F/33° C low: 76° F/24° C

almanac

aBaCO

High: 87° F/31° C low: 83° F/28° C

8‑16 knots

High: 92° F/33° C low: 80° F/27° C

7‑14 knots

FT. lauderdale

FreepOrT

High: 89° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C

E S

WesT palm BeaCH

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

uV inDex toDay

TOnIGHT

High: 90° F/32° C low: 78° F/26° C

mIamI

High: 90° F/32° C low: 79° F/26° C

8‑16 knots

Key WesT

High: 90° F/32° C low: 81° F/27° C

eleuTHera

nassau

High: 93° F/34° C low: 79° F/26° C

High: 88° F/31° C low: 82° F/28° C

N E

High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

6:06 a.m. 6:38 p.m.

2.6 3.3

12:13 a.m. 0.6 12:09 p.m. 0.4

Tuesday

6:54 a.m. 7:23 p.m.

2.8 3.4

12:59 a.m. 0.5 12:57 p.m. 0.2

Wednesday 7:41 a.m. 8:07 p.m.

3.0 3.6

1:42 a.m. 1:44 p.m.

0.3 0.1

Thursday

8:26 a.m. 8:51 p.m.

3.2 3.7

2:25 a.m. 2:31 p.m.

0.2 0.0

Friday

9:12 a.m. 9:35 p.m.

3.3 3.7

3:08 a.m. 3:19 p.m.

0.1 0.0

Saturday

10:00 a.m. 10:21 p.m.

3.5 3.6

3:51 a.m. 4:08 p.m.

0.0 0.0

Sunday

10:49 a.m. 11:09 p.m.

3.5 3.5

4:36 a.m. 4:59 p.m.

0.0 0.1

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:44 a.m. 7:44 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

5:38 p.m. 3:59 a.m.

Full

last

new

First

aug. 18

aug. 24

sep. 1

sep. 9

CaT Island

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

8‑16 knots

8‑16 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 91° F/33° C Low .................................................... 81° F/27° C Normal high ....................................... 89° F/32° C Normal low ........................................ 76° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 92° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 76° F/24° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.46” Year to date ............................................... 26.52” Normal year to date ................................... 22.28”

tiDes For nassau

andrOs

san salVadOr

GreaT eXuma

High: 87° F/31° C low: 78° F/26° C

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

High: 90° F/32° C low: 82° F/28° C

lOnG Island

insurance management tracking map

High: 87° F/31° C low: 80° F/27° C

H H

8‑16 knots

mayaGuana High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CrOOKed Island / aCKlIns raGGed Island High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C

High: 86° F/30° C low: 80° F/27° C

GreaT InaGua High: 89° F/32° C low: 81° F/27° C

10‑20 knots

8‑16 knots

marine Forecast aBaCO andrOs CaT Island CrOOKed Island eleuTHera FreepOrT GreaT eXuma GreaT InaGua lOnG Island mayaGuana nassau raGGed Island san salVadOr

Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday: Today: Tuesday:

WINDS E at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots

WAVES 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 86° F 86° F 87° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 82° F 82° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 86° F 86° F