As ambitious and talented as he is, he came from humble beginnings right here on little Anguilla. 18-year-old sprinter Mauriel Carty sat down with The Anguillian for an interview on Tuesday August 8th 2015. Mauriel hails from the village of West End and is the son of Convert and Maureen Carty.
Mauriel began his athletics career while in grade three, during his tenure at the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School in West End. He credits former principal Mr. Arthur Egel, commonly known as Teacher Art, and his father, Convert Carty, who identified his potential and motivated him to start track and field. Mauriel commented, “I used to come last in my races, but he (Teacher Art) would still push me and run alongside me telling me not to give up, which I really appreciated”.
Recalling his earlier days training with his father, Maruiel stated, “My father used to wake me up at five in the morning to go training on the beach before sports day”.
Throughout High School, Mauriel continued to persevere and develop his athletics skills on the Ronald Webster Park. He was also a star athlete on Yellow House of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School. He even went on to represent Anguilla in numerous regional athletic meets such as the Leeward Islands Junior Championships, Caribbean Union of Teachers games, C.U.T, and the Carifta games.
Now finished with High School, Mauriel believes that going to school in the UK will be beneficial for him as he hopes to one day become a professional athlete. Prior to competing in the IAAF World Championships Beijing 2015, he got the opportunity to take part in the Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow training camp in the UK, from July 15th to August 15th. He credits Mr. Trevor ‘Ras Bucket’ Davis, who has always been involved in of his athletic development, for organizing with his long-time friend, Coach Neil, to get him to participate in the Camp.
When asked about his experience at World Champs, Mauriel stated, “World Champs was a great learning experience. I got to meet world class athletes like Usain Bolt, Justin, Tyson Gay etc.” He appreciated the care and attention paid to athletes by the organizers.
During his stay in China, Mauriel contracted the flu the day after his race and could not go sightseeing. He joked: “They had buses to go on tours or wherever you wanted to go, like the Great Wall, but the last few days I had a flu the day after I ran. A lot of athletes got it”. He also joked about the announcers pronouncing “Anguilla” wrongly when announcing his position in the race. His participation in the games was sponsored by the Sports Department, Anguilla.
Mauriel believes that In time to come, Anguilla should be represented at the Olympics as an independent nation. “I think we have to get independence first or from an Olympic Committee to represent us. If other small countries like St. Kitts can do it, so can we”. When asked when this happens if he will be a part of it, he commented, “If I’m not an athlete, I can be a coach or president of the committee”.
Moving forward, Mauriel will be focusing on his strength, health and strides as areas for improvement. He ended by saying: “I would like to say thanks to my coach, Winston Duncan, for helping me and pushing me. My parents, family as well as uncle, Rosmond Davis”. Mauriel’s mom, Maureen Carty, also commented, “I’m proud to be his mom. We are truly proud of him for running with the world’s best. It is not about him coming any place but the participation is what matters. We are looking forward to seeing him in the Olympics next. He has to continue doing what his coach tells him to do, and he will get there”.
– Hackeem Alves
