Osceola’s Gaither at Carifta Games

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Osceola’s Gaither at Carifta Games

Sports

Thursday, 01 April 2010 07:48

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor
State champion sprinter Tynia “Tiny” Gaither takes an international stage when she competes at the 39-nation Carifta Games at George Town in the Cayman Islands.
The Osceola High junior, who competed Wednesday at the Orange Belt Conference meet, leaves today for the Caymans, where she will run at 100 meters, 200 meters and on the Bahamas’ 4 x 100 relay in the age U-20 events.
“My goal is to run 23 something (at 200 meters) and below 11.8 (at 100 meters),” Gaither, Florida’s defending Class 4A 100 meters champion, said. “I’m just going to run my times.”
Gaither, who turned 17 last month, qualified two weeks ago in the Bahamas, where she holds dual citizenship.
She said she was able to relax and run her best because she didn’t feel pressure.
“I didn’t know any of the competition there. It isn’t like the high school meets, where you know who you have to beat, so I just relaxed and did my best,” Gaither said. “I didn’t think I was going to do that good.”
Gaither ran 11.83 in the 100 and 24.06, a personal record, in her qualifying races.
OHS track coach Eric Pinellas said Gaither is rounding into shape to defend her state championship next month, and she will benefit from the international experience.
“She’s coming along. She is on a little different schedule this year, with the goal to have her peaking at the right time,” he said.
Gaither was scheduled to fly out this morning, about 12 hours after competing at the OBC meet.
“That won’t bother me. It’s just running,” Gaither said.
Gaither will run the 100 meters Saturday morning.
If she qualifies for the 200 meters final, that will be Monday evening.
She ran 11.88 at the FSU relays last weekend.
“That was OK, but I thought I could do a little better, there,” she said.
Gaither, and her Osceola High teammates, compete at the 4A District 4 track meet April 22 at Winter Park, where the top four athletes in each event advance to regional competiton. The top four in each region move on to the state meet, also at Winter Park.