Maverick Weatherhead won the bronze medal in the under-17 800 metres on Monday in a personal best time of 1 minute 55.24 seconds, 2 seconds faster than his previous personal best. The winner, Garvin Nero of Trinidad and Tobago ran 1 minute 54.55 seconds and the silver medallist, Donohue Williams of Jamaica, ran 1 minute 54.99 seconds. The Carifta record of 1 minute 53.72 seconds was set in 2005 by Theon O'Connor of Jamaica. On Saturday Maverick did not finish the under-17 1500 metres because of a knee injury, although he was well placed at the time of dropping out. He was representing Antigua and Barbuda at the games in Guadeloupe.
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Two weeks before the games Maverick suffered a recurrence of a knee injury. A CT scan shows a tissue or ligament problem as his kneecap is slipping to one side. He needs surgery, possibly in Barbados, with two or three months to recover. Peter Cuffy considers that Maverick is now doubtful for the World Junior Championships, but with strengthening work he should be in good physical condition for next season.
Peter Cuffy feels that if Maverick had not been carrying the injury he could have won the gold in the 800 metres and broken the Carifta record with a time of 1 minute 50 or 51 seconds. This is Maverick's best distance, which he will concentrate on for major competitions, running in 400 and 1500 metres as well in smaller events.
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Peter and Maverick were part of the Antigua and Barbuda squad of 9 athletes and 5 officials. Peter, the only French-speaker, represented the squad at the opening cocktail party and in interviews. The other medal winners for Antigua and Barbuda were Kenricka Francis, who won a silver in the under-17 3000 metres, while Linda Blacket won bronze in both the under-17 1500 and 3000 metres.
This year Maverick and Derol Thomas were part of the Antigua and Barbuda national team. They travelled to Antigua and thence to Trinidad to compete in the qualifying rounds for the Carifta Games over the weekend of 24 and 25 March 2006. Maverick qualified in the under-17 400, 800, and 1500 metres. Derol Thomas failed to qualify in the under-20 800 and 1500 metres. Maverick and Derol were part of the Antigua and Barbuda squad for the 4 x 400 metres relay.
In 2005 Maverick Weatherhead made history as the first Barbudan to compete as an athlete in the Carifta Games. Maverick, competing for Antigua and Barbuda, came fourth in both the 800 and 1500 metres. He was beaten by two experienced runners from Jamaica and one from Trinidad.
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A team of athletes from the Holy Trinity School and Sir McChesney George Secondary School completed in the championships at Yasco in Antigua. The team coached by Peter Cuffy and Connie Desouza won five gold medals, four silver, and one bronze. Maverick Weatherhead was named the top athlete in the under-17 age group. Overall the Barbuda boys were the fourth most successful team. We list the results below.
| Medal | Event | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1500 metres under-20 boys | Derol Thomas |
| 800 metres under-20 boys | Derol Thomas | |
| 400 metres under-17 boys | Maverick Weatherhead | |
| 800 metres under-17 boys | Maverick Weatherhead | |
| 1500 metres under-17 boys | Maverick Weatherhead | |
| Silver | 4 x 400 metres open boys | |
| long jump under-20 boys | Archimore Walbrook | |
| long jump under-17 boys | Miguel George | |
| 800 metres under-15 girls | Janella John | |
| Bronze | long jump under-15 girls | Hilary Thomas |
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The boys were second in the feature race the 4 X 400 metres open, which was keenly contested with the winners, Princess Margaret School. The Barbuda team, who won the race in 2005, have finished in a medal position for the past three years .
The Championships feature athletes in under-20, under-17, and under-15 events for boys and girls from all the primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions in Antigua and Barbuda.
Red House won the overall team prize at the sports day during Education Week. Green House was second by two points from Yellow in third. The performances allowed the track and field coaches to chose a team of 25 to travel to Antigua for the Inter-School Track and Field Championships on 3, 4, and 5 March 2006.