Eight (8) Bahamians are participating in the U14 JITIC regional event in Mexico. Jackson Mactaggart, Jerald Carroll, William McCartney and Patrick Mactaggart (Boys) and Tatyana Madu, Breann Ferguson Kaylah Fox and Briana Houlgrave(Girls) are competing. The U14 JITIC is an individual tennis championship event for top junior athletes in the U14 category in the Central American and Caribbean region. Approximately 80 boys and girls are competing in this event.
On Day 1 some good victories were recorded. Jackson Mactaggart who is the top-ranked Bahamian in the tournament is seeded 7th. Jackson won 6-0, 6-1 over Caraballo from Puerto Rico and lost to Alfred of the US Virgin Islands 1-6, 2-6. William McCartney who is the 15th seed in the tournament won over Rodriguez from the Dominican Republic 6-1, 6-1 and also over 6-4, 6-3 over Vasquez from Guatemala.
Jerald Carroll won over the 14th seed Herrarte from Guatemala 6-2, 6-1 and also over Petit of Bermuda 6-1, 6-1. Patrick Mactaggart lost to the 11th seed from Mexico Cossio 1-6, 2-6. Patrick played in a thriller of a match against Nelthropp of the US Virgin Islands where he split sets 7-6, 5-7 and lost 5-10 in the match tiebreak.
On the girl’s side, Breann Ferguson lost 0-6, 0-6 to Mexico’s Garzon, the 12th seed. Briana Houlgrave lost to the 4th seed Mexico Estrada 0-6, 0-6. Kaylah Fox lost to the 7th seed from Honduras Sucrovich 1-6, 0-6. She followed up with a strong performance against Martinez from El Salvador winning 6-2, 6-0.
At the end of Day 2, Jerald Carroll and William McCartney would remain undefeated in tournament play. Jerald Caroll won convincingly over Mendoza 6-0, 6-0 and also over the 6th seed Da Costa 6-3, 6-2. William McCartney would win over Gom from Honduras 7-5, 6-1 and over Mora of Costa Rica 7-6, 6-2, Both Jerald and William are 4-0 in the tournament. Jackson Mactaggart also recorded two wins yesterday against Trinidad’s Haricharran and Barbados’ Clarke 6-2, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-1 respectively. Jackson has a solid 3-1 record in his pool play. Patrick Mactaggart would also win over Campbell-Smith from Trinidad 6-4, 6-3 on day 2.
On the girl’s side, Brianna Houlgrave would be victorious over the 15th seed Trinidadian Haricharran 7-6, 6-3. Breann Ferguson won in straight sets over Drigon from Grenada 6-2, 6-1. Kaylah Fox lost against the 13th seed, De Reyes from Mexico 0-6, 0-6. Tatyana Madu lost 2-6 4-6 against Alvarez of Mexico, the 14th seed and also against Garcia 4-6, 4-6 in a competitive matchup.
The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) extends best wishes as the talented group of juniors will continue to compete in their respective pools. The results will determine their advancement to main draw action. We pray our juniors will continue to have strong performances as they display their skills internationally.
Original Post Date: 7/25/2022
