Sting Rays have been crowned champions of the 2009 renewal of the Grand Turk Track and Field Club Championships at the Parade Ground on Saturday, June 26, and in the process copped the Rita Gardiner Trophy.

The championship, in its second year, was held over two days – Friday and Saturday, for athletes ages six to 19 years, and produced outstanding performances on both days.

Top performer was David Akinwale, who won the Under 13 100m and 200m, as well as the long jump events. Other creditable performances came from Alkandra Parker, who won the Girls Under Nine 80m and long jump; Kenson Noel, who won the Boys Nine 80m  and long jump; Dalli Francois, who captured the Boys Under 11 100m and 200m events; and Katiana Parker, who won the Girls Under 11 200m and long jump.

After the first day of competition the Sharks led with 159 points, with Sting Rays into second position with 145 points, dethroned champions Red Snappers were on 144 and Barracudas on 132 points. But with the meet nearing its conclusion, Sting Rays made a massive move to catch the Sharks and the Snappers, who had overtaken them.

The final points standing were Sting Rays 334, Sharks 327, Red Snappers 320 and Barracudas 288. 
The Championships which was organized by the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission and the Grand Turk Sports Committee had as main sponsors the Commonwealth Games Committee and Provo Courtyard Plaza.

Other sponsors who supported were Next Barbers and Beauty Spa; Island Auto Rentals, Tony’s Scooter Rental; Dulany’s Restaurant; Oasis Divers; Otis and Sons Construction; L and S Electrical; the Ariza Group of Companies, Building Materials Ltd; Dots Supermarket and Kishco Grand Turk.