April 10, 2019
Men’s Track
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University’s men’s track student-athlete Justin Bridgewater will represent the Bahamas in the 800 meters at the 2019 CARIFTA Track and Field Championships, as announced by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) on Monday, April 8.
Bridgewater, a freshman from West Palm Beach, Fla., was a two-time recipient of the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach Track and Field Athlete of the Year honor as a prep at King’s Academy and has continued his success on the track into his first collegiate season. His time of 1:53.78 in the 800m at the Hurricane Invitational on March 16 earned him a selection to Team Bahamas.
“Running and training at a high level in high school certainly prepared me a lot for collegiate track, but it’s been the increased level of training here at Lynn that helped me get my time down to where I was noticed by the Bohemian coaching staff,” stated Bridgewater.
He will compete in the U20 Boys age bracket in the 800m in a field of competitors from 26 different Caribbean Island nations. In the past, world champion and Olympic medalists Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Aileen Bailey have participated in this prestigious event.
“My dad is from the Bahamas and my family has always wanted me to run to represent the country. Getting that opportunity, especially in my first collegiate season, is extremely special for both me and my family.
“I’m looking to run a smart race and make the finals, first and foremost. Then, from there, I’d like to see what I can do to get on the podium and medal, not just for myself, but also to help the Bahamas as we try to win the meet.”
The meet occurs at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in the Cayman Islands from April 20-22. The preliminaries of the U20 800m will be at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, April 22 with the finals occurring later on that evening at 7:30 p.m.
Darin Yrigoyen
Assistant Director for Athletic Communications
(XC/TRACK, WSOC, WBB, BASE)
Lynn University
3601 North Military Trail
Boca Raton, FL 33431
