Rutty excited for Pan Am Games debut

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 26 July 2019

Photos by Jade Webster.

Gymnast Raegan Rutty is set to make her Pan American Games debut in Lima, Peru on Saturday, 27 June, and the young Caymanian is excited about the opportunity.

“I am just trying to enjoy the experience, just knowing how hard I have worked to get here and just truly take it all in and enjoying everything that this opportunity has given me,” Rutty said ahead of the competition.

Rutty, 17, will perform routines on uneven bars, vault, balance beam and floor. “The training days have been pretty good and I feel confident,” the young gymnast said.

“I’m very excited for Saturday knowing it’s my first Pan Am Games,” she said. “I’m living for it all, enjoying every moment and just having the best time of my life.”

Her coach, Edward Umphrey, is also keeping a positive mindset heading into competition. “The training has been well…I’m happy with her training and I think if she just stays in the right mind and trusts herself, I think she will be happy with the competition,” he said.

“She’s trying to break a lot of ground for the country and it’s really great to be a part of that, and see the hard work that she has done and being able to come to a place like this and just be able to enjoy and put all the hard work toward something that has been special and enjoyable,” added Umphrey.

“We’re just going in at say let’s hit all four routines and we’ll be satisfied with that.”

Rutty is one of six athletes representing the Cayman Islands at the XVIII Pan American Games that run until 11 August.

Kemar Hyman will compete in the 100m. He is set to go under the starter’s gun on 6 August. Lauren Hew, Brett Fraser and John Bodden will compete in swimming that also starts in 6 August. Jesse Jackson will sail in the laser radial competition that begins on 3 August.

The opening ceremony takes place on Friday, 26 July.