A total of 54 athletes (29 men and 25 women) have been nominated as hopefuls by their respective sporting association to contest the 2015 First Citizens Sports Foundation Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards.
The First Citizens Sports Foundation, under the Distinguished Patronage of His Excellency, President of the Republic of T&T, Dr Anthony Carmona. The annual sports awards ceremony will take place on March 13, at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain.
GOLF
Talin Rajendranath
For many of us who venture onto the links from time to time, there are all those impetuous desires: to crush the ball into oblivion at the tee, to constantly send that sphere flying into the heavens and into the next county and to sink a hole-in-one—or, at the very least, an eagle—every time the green appears on the radar.
Of course, competitive golfers such as Talin Rajendranath are more likely to have a more measured approach. This he exhibited in efficient fashion at the Patriot Intercollegiate tournament at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, Virginia, where the University of West Florida senior finished second overall with a career low seven-under par total of 206 (70-70-66); his efforts helped the West Florida men’s golf team to clinch the Patriot Intercollegiate title by a record 13 strokes.
Rajendranath also finished seventh at the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships in Jamaica to help Trinidad and Tobago to win the overall crown.
Monifa Sealy
Having established her name in local golfing circles as an undisputed talent and leader by example, Monifa Sealy has transferred her act to a broader stage and has been making quite the impression.
Prior to her graduation, she carried her University of Central Florida team to its first American Athletic Conference women’s title by posting a three-under par 213 (70-71-72) – in spite of playing through a hairline fracture – at the conference championship in Palm Coast, Florida.
Apart from Sealy winning the individual crown after a play-off, the Central Florida Knights finished ahead of SMU (second) and Houston (third). Sealy was also outstanding at the National Women’s Golf Association Timacuan tour event at Lake Mary, Florida, last October, when she tied for second-place with an even-par 216.
The 23-year old also enjoyed a third-place performance during her professional debut at the NWGA Mission Hills Palmer tournament at Rancho Mirage, California in July, after stroking her way to a six under-par 210.
GYMNASTICS
Marisa Dick
It is not an understatement to observe that the discipline of gymnastics in T&T is on the rise – and that Marisa Dick has made a major contribution in this regard.
Dick, who has grown up in Canada, made full use of familiar conditions in Toronto, during last summer’s Pan American Games.
She earned 14th place in the women’s individual all-around after she claimed a total of 51.250 points after her performances on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and the floor exercise. Dick also participated at the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland and placed 77th in the individual all-around qualification. Along with teammate, Thema Williams, Dick earned a berth in the Olympic Games test event in Rio de Janeiro.
There was also an outstanding performance at the TTGF Championships where her skills were evaluated before a group of international judges during an important moment for gymnastics in this country.
HOCKEY
Andrey Rocke
Like their football counterparts, field hockey’s goalkeepers do not garner as much of the spotlight as some of their outfield colleagues. But, of course, the game has produced its notable shot-stoppers such as Richard Allen who only conceded two goals in three Olympic Games, while competing for India’s gold medal-winning teams in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
In a similar vein, Andrey Rocke, also had a major effect on his squad’s fortunes. He was outstanding during the FIH Hockey World League second round tournament in San Diego, California where Trinidad and Tobago had to endure some stiff challenges from Russia, Canada, the USA, Ireland and Italy.
His reflexes, plus on and off-field leadership, also helped his team at the Pan American Games in Toronto, where Trinidad and Tobago eventually took seventh-place with a 13-0 mauling of Cuba.
Rocke, who plays for Malvern in the TTHB Men’s Championship Division, also proved his worth during a three-team tournament involving Mexico and Cuba, last June.
Alanna Lewis
Quite visibly in a league of her own whenever taking to the outdoor field or indoor court, Alanna Lewis’ skill set and leadership qualities certainly counted as game winners, as her teammates were sure to testify.
Lewis led straight from both the back and midfield as she helped Paragon to successfully defend its TTHB national women’s championship title, ahead of runner-up Harvard Checkers and third-placed Magnolia. She also played her part as Paragon also managed to retain its national indoor crown.
The national women’s co-captain was also influential for the Trinidad and Tobago team during its second round tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay, during the FIH women’s World League competition; her unit managed a 5-0 hammering of Kenya during pool play and also scored a 3-2 play-off triumph over the Dominican Republic before eventually placing sixth in the competition.
Lewis was particularly outstanding during a pool affair against France— she made some crucial defensive blocks – as well as the quarterfinal versus Italy.
HORSERACING
Prayven Badrie
Crime of Passion was widely viewed as an almost sure lock to make history. But Prayven Badrie, on top Control Unit had other ideas and turned out to be the one who stole victory.
Crime was attempting to tie a 41-year old record by winning the Stewards Cup for the third year in a row at Santa Rosa Park, last December 4.
But the American-bred five year old wound up looking at the tail of Control Unit with Badrie very much in command. It was all very much in keeping with the type of year enjoyed by the Tacarigua resident, who shared the TTRA Champion Jockey of the Year title after clinching 49 victories from a total of 291 mounts, with 52 second-place finishes and $2,278,734.50 in earnings.
Apart from his win in the Stewards Cup, Badrie also enjoyed major triumphs in the SFA Trial Stakes, Sugar Mike Stakes and Mentone Stakes, while guiding Osceola Parkway, Danube Waltz and Clermont County, respectively.