The 63-member T&T athletics team returned from the Carifta Games in St Kitts yesterday morning carrying with them an exceptional haul of 30 medals (10 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze).

Their total ranked them in second place behind Jamaica, who were the top medal winners for the 24th consecutive year with 69 (29-25-16). The Bahamas finished in third place with 23 medals (8-3-12).

Despite the tally being less than last year’s 37 (7-14-16), manager Dexter Voisin said that he ranked the team’s performance above 2007 due to its larger gold medal return.

“Coming into this year’s event we were hoping to equal last year’s haul,” he told G-Sports yesterday. “Although we came up short, there was a better quality this year. Anytime that you have three athletes win two gold medals each, it’s been something special.”

Middle distance star Gavyn Nero lived up to expectations winning the Boys Under-20 1500m and 800m. It was the second year in a row that he captured the double in the U-20 age group while his personal Carifta gold medal total rose to eight. Adding to T&T’s gold medal collection was Toco’s Kyron Blaise who captured both the Boys U-20 Long Jump and Triple Jump crowns.

Female favourite Janeil Bellille took home gold in the Girls U-20 400m and 400m Hurdles.

Meanwhile Emmanuel Stewart outperformed his highly-favoured compatriot, Quincy Wilson to win the Boys U-20 Discuss.

Defending champion Michelle Lee Ahye returned to complete back-to-back wins in the Girls U-17 100m and Elton Walcott won the Boys U-17 Triple Jump.