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Pascal pleased with end of season performances
- Updated: 12 July 2017
Pascal won gold at his third straight NatWest Island Games.
As steady breeze blew across the grounds as the familiar words of “Beloved Isle Cayman” echoed through the stadium. Standing atop the podium, adorned with the Cayman Islands flag was Alexander Pascal.
The scene was not the familiarity of home or even the United States where the national record holder in the javelin competed for the University of Missouri but more than 5,000 miles from home at the Gutavallen stadium on the Swedish island of Gotland.
Pascal had just won his event at the 2017 NatWest Island Games, doing so for the third straight time and setting a new games record of 73.39 metres.
Pascal was all smiles after his record-setting performance.
“It’s one of the best feelings you can have as a track and field athlete. Hearing your national [song] and seeing your flag raised is a very good feeling. It’s almost unexplainable. It gives you cold chills,” Pascal told CaymanSportsBuzz.com.
Having also won gold in Jersey in 2015 and Bermuda in 2013, Pascal said “It always feels good representing Cayman and bringing home a medal for the islands.” However, he said he felt he could throw further but the windy and cool conditions played a factor.
It was a strong end to the year for the 22-year-old, who finished fourth at the NCAA Championships with a Cayman Islands national record of 75.38 metres. “Especially knowing it was a rough year for me and it finally took place for me at the end, it feels good,” he said.
A big part of the change was that he was healthy and using a new technique. “I started just before the (NCAA) National Championships and this is my second time throwing and it’s working. All year, I couldn’t throw 70 metres and now it’s consistent 70-metre throwing. I’m back to where I was at my peak, so I’m very happy,” he said.
As for what’s next, Pascal is not sure if there’ll be any more competition for him in 2017 but he has high hopes for next season. “I think that’s it for the year…I will continue training and working hard for next year,” he said.
Pascal shares a moment with other competitors in Gotland.
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