Deputy Premier Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and Minister of Sports Hon. Mark Scotland recently congratulated Caymanian athletes for their outstanding performances at the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championship, held in El Salvador, 29 June to 1 July.

The eight -member delegation comprising of six athletes – Ameilia Gillispie, Demetri Chambers, Jonathan Frederick, Ashleigh Nalty, Tiffany Cole and Alexander Pascal and Coach Tryon Yen and team Manager Elizbeth Ibeh– captured one silver and two bronze medals at the championship.

Cayman Brac athlete Ameilia Gillispie captured a bronze medal in the women’s heptathlon with a cumulative collection of 4,263, points,  becoming the first female in the history of these islands to medal in the heptathlon. The heptathlon is a grueling two-day event of seven competitions, namely 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin and 800m.

In Ameilia’s first event, the 100m hurdles, she placed second in a time of 15.14; in high jump she was fourth with a height of1.51m. She placed third in the shot put, throwing a distance of 10.49m. She rounded out the first day’s competition by winning the 200m in a time 25.39.

Going into the second day, Ameilia knew she was in medal contention, which she had to do her best to maintain. She placed fifth on that day in long jump (4.66), javelin 26.95 and in the 800m with a time of 2.45.87. She thought she was out of the running for a podium walk, but her performance the day before was enough for her to take home a bronze.

“I was surprised that I walked away with a medal, because anything can happen, but my only thought was I want to make my country, parents and coach proud. I was really focused,” Ameilia said.

The daughter of Jenifer and Donavon Gillispie didn’t have an easy time qualifying for the championships. In fact, her stumbling block was the hurdles. But  with the dedication of her coach Harold Sanford, her own grit and generous help from the Minister of District Administration, Works, Lands and Agriculture, as well at the Cayman Islands Athletic Association (CIAA), Ameilia was able to qualify at a recent event in Tampa.

Coach Sanford explained that part of Ameilia’s challenge was that there were no hurdles on the Brac and she had to use milk crates to practise. “It wasn’t until January this year when CIAA donated 20 hurdles that she was able to practise on actual hurdles,” he recalled.

The 16-year-old heptathlon practised six days a week. At first she struggled with the three-count step that is required, but by April she had mastered the timing, her coach said.

“Ameilia’s determination really impressed me. She wanted to compete, and not just to compete, but to win a medal. I am proud of her for not just sticking to her athletic plan, but for doing well academically. She handled the workload, even through the tough moments and she has been rewarded,” he said.

Ms. O’Connor-Connolly praised the young athlete and coach for sticking it through the hard times.

“There is a saying, “build it and they will come.” Amelia demonstrated an ability to persevere through the hard times and her coach pushed to acquire the hurdles, which shows that once people get the equipment they need, they can and more than likely will succeed,” the deputy premier stated.

“Ameilia’s story should have a lot of appeal. She is an inspiration to us all. Consider the population on the Brac and that it was only seven months ago that she got actual hurdles with which to practise. It shows her determination and great potential. Ameilia, we are proud of you,” Ms. O’Connor-Connolly added.

Ashleigh Nalty placed third in the U-20 girls high jump with a height of 1.70m to become the team’s first medalist. Alexander Pascal captured a silver with a throw of 68.84m in the U-18 javelin.