UNITED STATES – Bahamian track and field coach Rolando “Lonnie” Greene has been named one of three finalists for the inaugural World Athletics Coach of the Year Award, a recognition that reflects his success at the highest level, and his contribution to the development of Bahamian athletes.
Greene has built an elite hurdles programme at the University of Kentucky, coaching Bahamian Devynne Charlton and American Masai Russell.
This year, Russell set a world record of 12.09 seconds in the 100-metre hurdles, while Charlton matched her world indoor record of 7.65 seconds in the 60-metre hurdles and captured the world indoor title.
However, Greene’s Bahamian impact extends beyond the track.
Since taking over at Kentucky in 2018, he has recruited Bahamian athletes including Megan Moss, Jaida Knowles and Anthaya Charlton, Alexis Roberts and Darvinique Dean, while also bringing homegrown coaching experience into the program.
That included olympic champion Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, who joined his staff in 2018, and Devynne Charlton, who has also served as a volunteer coach.
Greene’s nomination recognises a coach who has helped develop world-class performers while continuing to create opportunities for Bahamian athletes and coaches.
The winner will be announced at the World Athletics Awards on November 29.
Hanna to Lead Staff for 8th Caribbean Baseball Cup
The Bahamas Baseball Association has announced a new coaching staff to lead the senior national team into the eighth Caribbean Baseball Cup, scheduled for December 6 -13 in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.
Ellison Hanna II will serve as team manager, with Crachad Laing named bench coach, Trae Sweeting at third base, Javier Bowe at first base and Chavez Fernander taking over as pitching coach.
Jeffrey Disla will serve as translator, while Nicholas Morley joins the group as physiotherapist.
The new staff features several members with previous Caribbean Cup experience.
Hanna and Fernander have both represented The Bahamas as players, while Sweeting has served as both a player and coach in previous editions.
Bowe also returns after serving on the coaching staff in 2025.
The Bahamas is coming off its best finish in the competition, claiming the silver medal in 2025 after reaching the championship game against Curaçao.
The new group will now be tasked with building on that performance and pursuing the country’s first Caribbean Cup title.
Lightbourne Scores 10 in FGCU Debut
Denika Lightbourne began her third collegiate chapter on Tuesday night, making her debut for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in a 79-50 season-opening loss to Indiana.
Lightbourne finished with 10 points in 22 minutes, shooting 2-8 from the field and 6-9 from the free-throw line. She also contributed three rebounds.
Lightbourne is now with her third program after beginning her collegiate career at the University of Dayton before transferring to Florida International University.
In her first season with the Dayton Flyers in 2023-24, Lightbourne averaged 2.4 points per game in 29 appearances, including 12 starts.
She played a more limited role as a sophomore, appearing in 15 games during the 2024-25 season before moving to FIU.
With the Panthers last season, Lightbourne emerged as a key offensive contributor, averaging 9.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 50.3% from the field.
She now joins an FGCU program picked to finish near the top of the Atlantic Sun Conference, with the Eagles returning home to face Arkansas State on November 7.
