PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago — The Bahamas continued an impressive collective performance on day one of the 52nd CARIFTA Games at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, winning more medals in the evening session.

At the end of the night, The Bahamas stood in second place in the medal standings, just behind perennial champion Jamaica. After day one, The Bahamas was in second place with six gold, three silver and two bronze for 11 total medals. Jamaica led with seven gold, six silver and seven bronze for 20 total medals. Trinidad & Tobago was in third place with three gold, one silver and one bronze for five total medals. The order of finish at CARIFTA track and field is based on gold medal count, and then number of silver and bronze, in that order.

It’s the first time The Bahamas has been this close to Jamaica after the first day of competition at the CARIFTA Games in a long time, perhaps since the country last won CARIFTA in 1984.

“I’m so happy for this team — young team, great team, and it will only get better from here,” said Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ (BAAA) President Drumeco Archer. “There is pure pandemonium in the stadium right now. There was bacchanal and I believe they were playing for The Bahamas, because with the six gold medals, they could be playing for The Bahamas. We’re off to a good start. We’ll go back to the drawing board and get ready for day two of competition.”

The Bahamas won four more gold medals in the evening session on Saturday and has 11 total medals going into the second day of competition.

The Bahamas picked up a couple of gold medals in the 400 meters (m).

Eagan Neely came short of his goal of breaking the CARIFTA record of 47.27 seconds, but was strong running from lane eight, winning gold in the under-17 boys 400m in 47.80 seconds. Diwayne Sharpe, of Jamaica, won the silver medal in 48.27 seconds, and Zachary Wall, of Barbados, took bronze in 48.63 seconds.

“It was hard running from lane eight, but I just ran as hard as I can to get this gold medal. It’s a good feeling,” said Neely. “Despite not getting the record, it feels good to have the gold around my neck. I succeeded through God, and I thank Him for that.”

Zion Miller was just as impressive in the under-20 boys 400m, winning gold and matching a personal best time of 46.51 seconds. Dwayne Malachi Austin, of Guyana, won the silver medal in 46.54 seconds, and DA Shaun Lezama, of Trinidad & Tobago, took the bronze medal in 47.43 seconds.

The two Jamaican favorites, Tajh-Marques White, and Marchino Rose, did not finish as both appeared to suffer injuries.

“I feel good. It came out the way I wanted, with the gold,” said Miller. “I want to thank God for the opportunity of doing it. It’s a good feeling. This was a race for me to focus on myself. It was a packed race, but I had to go out there and do what God sent me to do. Everyone is in a good mental state and the wins just make it better. We’re here to perform, and we’ll continue to perform.”

Keyezra Thomas was the top qualifier for the final in the under-17 girls 400m, but had to settle for the silver for a second year in a row, running 54.34 seconds. Tyra Fenton, of Antigua & Barbuda, won the gold in 53.93 seconds. The bronze went to De’cheynelle Thomas, of St. Kitts and Nevis, in 55.71 seconds.

“I went out there and did my best and I thank God for keeping me through the race,” said Thomas. “I just have to go home, go back to the drawing board, look at some stuff, and hope for the best next time. I wanted the gold, came in with the fastest time, but it just wasn’t to be.”

The Bahamas was sensational in the open girls pole vault competition. Jade Ferguson won the gold and set a new CARIFTA record, leaping 3.10m (10’ 2-1/4”). The old record of 2.90m (9’ 6-1/4”) was set by Naya Jules, of St. Lucia, last year. Jules had to settle for the silver this year with a clearance of 3m flat (9’ 10-1/4”), also going over the old record. Clementine Carias, of Guadeloupe, won the bronze medal with a clearance of 2.90m, matching the old record.

“Last year, I didn’t clear a height, so I just went into the competition trusting God and trusting the process,” said Ferguson. “I’m just glad that I came out with the gold medal and a record. Words can’t explain how I feel right now. I trained very hard for this competition, and I trusted myself and trusted God. I just prayed and prayed and prayed. I’m glad that I came on top.”

The other Bahamian in the open girls pole vault competition, Anaiah Rolle, finished fifth with a clearance of 2.70m (8’ 10-1/2”), the same height as the fourth place finisher, Lou-Ana Pronzola, of Martinique. Pronzola finished ahead of Rolle based on number of knockdowns.

The Bahamas’ final gold medal on day one came in the final event of the day. The country’s mixed relay team of Emmanuel Adams, Makaiah Hitchman, Zion Miller and Jamiah Nabbie, in that order, won the gold medal in that event in a junior national record time of 3:23.96.

“I would like to thank God for the opportunity to represent my country,” said Adams. “I would just like to congratulate my teammates for going out there and getting the job done. We just wanted to come out and do our best.”

Hitchman got the baton in first place for The Bahamas, and although she was passed by the runner from Jamaica, she kept the country in striking distance.

“I feel very good, especially with this being my first time making the team,” said Hitchman. “I just thank God, my family, and all my coaches. It’s a blessing.”

Miller ran a fantastic third leg to bring The Bahamas back in first place. He helped the team secure his second gold medal of the night. Nabbie paced herself wonderfully and waited for the right moment to strike. She breezed past the Jamaican runner on the back curve and powered her way to victory for the tam.

“I’m very proud of myself and my teammates,” said Nabbie. “We went out there and we executed. We weren’t worried about the competition. I just went out there and strategized based on the shape I was in. We all came out and put our best foot forward. I’m proud of the entire team.”

The Bahamas got a pair of bronze medals in the 100m finals on Saturday.

Brion Ward, won the bronze in the under-17 girls 100m in 11.78 seconds. Jady Emmanuel, of St. Lucia, won the gold in 11.50 seconds, and Adora Campbell, of Jamaica, took silver medal in 11.67 seconds. The Bahamas’ Taree Forbes was eighth in that same race in 12.45 seconds.

“I feel good about the race. I feel like I went out there and put my best foot forward,” said Ward. “I did what I had to do and won a medal. I’m looking forward to the 200. I’m fearless, so I’m going to put my best foot forward in the 200. I feel good about my chances.”

The Bahamas also got bronze in the under-20 girls 100m. Shatalya Dorsett won the bronze in a new personal best time of 11.45 seconds. Shanoya Douglas, of Jamaica, won the gold in 11.26 seconds, and Geolyna Dowdye, of Antigua & Barbuda, settled for the silver in 11.43 seconds.

“I feel good. I wanted to execute my race properly, and I felt like I did that,” said Dorsett. “This season hasn’t been the best for me, but I’m glad to come here and run a personal best time.”

In the under-17 boys 100m final, The Bahamas’ duo of Kamron Henfield and Jamaal Deloach Jr. finished sixth and seventh in times of 10.86 and 10.92 seconds respectively.

In the under-20 boys version of that race, Aiden Kelly finished seventh in 10.53 seconds.

In the under-17 boys triple jump on Saturday, The Bahamas’ duo of Ainsworth Ferguson and Lyndavion Storr finished fourth and fifth with jumps of 14.05m (46’ 1-1/4”) and 13.55m (44’ 5-1/2”) respectively. Amani Phillips, of Jamaica, won the gold with a jump of 15.58m (51’ 1-1/2”). Crystophe Calliste, of Grenada, won the silver medal with a leap of 15.25m (50’ 0-1/2”), and Khi-Anthony Hall, of Jamaica, won the bronze medal with a leap of 14.21m (46’ 7-1/2”).

In the under-17 boys 1500m, Bahamian Kyden Thurston finished fourth in 4:15.04. Christopher Sammy, of Trinidad & Tobago, won in 4:09.65, Cameron Adkins, of Bermuda, finished second in 4:12.86, and Luke Plummer, of Jamaica, was third in 4:13.54.

In the under-20 girls version of that race, Erin Barr finished 11th in 5:00.58, and in the under-20 boys 1500m, Ross Martin was 13th in 4:23.36.

Finally, on Day Two, in the under-20 girls triple jump, Bayli Major finished fifth with a leap of 12.46m (40’ 10-3/4”).

Day two competition started at 9 a.m. on Easter Sunday.