Women’s Football Festival to be held on Virgin Gorda this weekend, February 11th

Gloria George-Fahie, a co-coordinator of the Women’s Football Festival on Virgin Gorda, with a group of girls from the Bregado Flax Educational Center on Virgin Gorda, who will participate in the festival. PHOTO: BVIFA / Dean Greenaway

A Women’s Football Festival will be held on Virgin Gorda on Saturday, February 11 between 9:30 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. with the aim of reviving the sport for women and eventually starting a league.

During the festival, women will be exposed to a number of activities besides the skills used in the game, including nutrition, blood sugar, blood pressure checks, communication, media, conditioning and physiotherapy. Sprinter Karene King will be the guest speaker on both Virgin Gorda and Tortola.

“The focus of all the presentations in these two events will be solely by women, which I think is very important,” said Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway, BVI Football Association Competitions’ Manager , who’s driving the festival. “The aim is to eventually see a Women’s League run entirely by women. Since taking up the position, I have come across a number of enthusiastic, dedicated, competent women with the requisite skills and they know what they want. I’m just the facilitator in the process.”

In November and early December, meetings with women were held on Virgin Gorda and Tortola, to get an understanding of their concerns and what they’d like to see for themselves. Their respective ideas were canvassed and having a Women’s Football Festival on both Virgin Gorda and Tortola, was seen as an important event in bringing women together, as building blocks for future development.

“There are a number of women in the process of obtaining their coaching license and at the end of January, several completed a referee’s course,” Greenaway noted. “Chandni Wattley and Shevorne “Sha Sha” Vanterpool for example, have been the first two women to work in men league games as assistant referees. Vanterpool and Keliene Smith – both from Virgin Gorda – worked a Feb 5 men’s game in Virgin Gorda, becoming the first two women from the island to do so, so the foundation for women’s development is being laid. They will also be part of the foundation for a women’s league.”

On Saturdays, Coach Cassandra (“Coach Cass”) has been working with a number of girls in Greenland who are joined by girls from Virgin Gorda. “Coach Cass has a goal of having 100 girls in the program by Dec 31 and we’re seeing the response of girls to this quest,” Greenaway said. “They will participate in the festival and help spread the seeds for getting their peers into the football program.”

A similar festival will be held on February 25 on Tortola, at the BVI Football Association stadium in Greenland.

Dropped baton cost team BVI possible Gold at IAAF Relay

Source: BVIPlatinum

(l-r) Nelda Huggins, Ashley Kelly, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Karene King and (not pictured) Chantel Malone and L’t’sha Fahie made up the 4×100 relay team at the 2017 IAAF/BTC World Relay Championships in the Bahamas. Photo: Provided

A minor error cost team BVI a possible gold last weekend, at the 2017 IAAF/BTC World Relay Championships in the Bahamas, April 22 and 23.

The event saw participation from a local team made up of female sprint stars, Nelda Huggins, Ashley Kelly, Chantel Malone, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Karene King and L’t’sha Fahie.

While participating in the B Finals of the 4x100m event, which took place last evening, the team, who was leading by a significant distance, suffered a blunder while passing the baton from the second to the third leg.

Consequently, the race was incomplete by the BVI team.

Prior, the team secured 10th place in the semi-finals of the 4×100 relay, thus securing a spot to compete in the B Finals.

The team also made it to the finals in the 4x200m relay race, securing 7th place.

In interviews following the race, Ms. King expressed her delight in representing the BVI, and commended their effort.

“For us to make it to the finals is a big thing. As you know we are a small country, but with a big heart.”

Mrs. Harrigan-Scott, said, “We went in there thinking that we can make it, all the girls gave their best effort and were able to reach the finals.”

News of Overseas BVI Athletes

By BVI Athletics Association

Tynelle Gumbs named Findlay University athlete of the week. Photo: Provided

Tynelle Gumbs named Findlay University athlete of the week. Photo: Provided

Lakeisha Mimi Warner placed 4th in her 800 meter run finals at the Clemson Invitational with a time of 2:12.62 which is a personal best indoor time and helped Clemson’s 1600 meter relay team to victory. Ms. Warner posted a third leg time of 55.45 seconds. Ms. Warner also secured a win on Clemson’s 4×400 with a time of 3:41.11 and 4th in the 500m with a time of 1:13.36 and secured 12th place overall in the 200m with a time of 25.34. Ms. Warner clocked 55.47 in the 400. Split at 2:10 in the 800 in the distance medley and ran a 54.5 split on the Clemson’s 4X400 relay. Clemson’s combined effort in the distance medley relay of 11:16.69 puts Warner and her team as the third fastest in the School’s history!

Nelda Huggins won her 60m semi and final with times of 7.83 and 7.67 respectively at the Minnesota State – Alumni Open. Ms. Huggins improved her personal best of 7.67 to 7.64s in the 60m Final at the Jim Emmerich Alumni Invitational; she also had a solid showing in the 200m winning that event with a time of 24.82 seconds. She concluded the evening at same meet and ran the 3rd leg on the 4X400m with a 6th place finish for Central Iowa.

Tynelle Gumbs made her debut for Findlay University in Northwest Ohio Invitational with a throw of 63 feet, 4 ½ inches in the women’s weight throw while twin sister Trevia Gumbs placed eight with a mark of 55 feet, 10 ½ inches. Over the weekend, Tynelle Gumbs won the women’s weight throw with a heave of 66 feet, 4 ½ inches at the Tiffin Dragon Open in Ohio to improve her season best. Ms Gumbs weight throw puts her at 1st Conference and 3rd Nationally Division II. Ms. Gumbs continues her streak at Nationals by establishing a personal best in the Shot with a toss of 13.13m or 43ft-0 5/16”. Ms. Gumbs earned the Findlay University athlete of the week.

Taylor Hill opened her debut for South Plains College as a sophomore with a third place time of 7.82 seconds in her heat in the 60m indoor Sooners Opener and placed 13th overall. She also placed second in her 200m heat with a time of 25.9 placing 14th best time.

Jonel Lacey had a 200m time of 25.82 seconds to finish fourth in her heat at the Great Dane Classic. Ms. Lacey also led off her team’s 1600m relay and finished second overall with a time of 3:52.86. Ms. Lacey ran the 2nd Leg for the University of Albany 4x400m relay team and secured a first place position at the Mulberry Invitational.

Rikkoi Brathwaite placed second with a time of 6.938 in the 60m finals at the LSU High School Indoor Classic.

Adaejah Hodge placed 1st in the 60 meters with a time 8.51 at Martin Luther King invitational in Alabama. At same meet, Ms. Hodge placed 4th in the 400m with a time of 1:07s and 3rd in the 200m with a time of 28.21.

K’Cei Moses placed 3rd overall in the 200 meters at the North Florida Speed Track in a time of 22.44 at the Martin Luther King invitational.

Karene King clocked 39.92 in the 300 to place 4th at the New Balance Games at the Amory track in New York.

Judine Lacey (Freshman of IOWA Central) ran a time of 26.26s for 4th place in the 200m heat and overall 13th in the finals at Jim Emmerich Aluminum Invitational. Ms. Lacey also ran the anchor leg for the 4X400m relay with a 3rd place finish

Khari Herbert opened his indoor season in the 400m with a time of 47.90s

Tarique Moses – as a Vaquero, Central Arizona Freshman ran 1.25 in the 600m to take first in his heat and second overall at Paradise Valley over the weekend.

BVI Women Caps Record Setting Day With OECS 4x100m Relay Record

OECSRelay

BVI relay quartet: L-R: Ashley Kelly, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Chantel Malone and Karene King. PHOTO: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Assocation

Hosts British Virgin Islands Women’s 4x100m Relay, capped a record setting Day 1 of the 2nd OECS Championships, by breaking the seven-year old OECS mark established by St. Kitts-Nevis in 2009.

In all, 11 Championships Records and eight All Comers Records were established on the A. O. Shirley Grounds, under overcast conditions.

With non OECS member Puerto Rico looking to solidify their No. 16 ranking for next month’s Rio Olympic Games and hosts BVI seeking to improve on their 44.05 seconds mark, starter Ashley Kelly-coming off taking down the championships 400m record and also a BVI national mark-got them off to a good start but Puerto Rico’s sprinter Beatrice Cruz gained some ground.

Cruz’s gain was suddenly taken back with veteran sprinter Taheisa Harrigan-Scott, who ran a stellar second leg to hand off to Long Jumper Chantel Malone. Malone, with a slight lead passed off to Karene King ahead of Genoiska Cancel.

With the hometown faithful on their feet, anchor leg King stormed home trying to hold off the charging ex Southern California All American Carol Rodriguez, who nipped her at the the line in a Puerto Rican National Record of 43.43 seconds, to break their six-year old mark of 43.46. The BVI finished in 43.45 seconds-their first time under 44.00-and in the process wiped out St. Kitts-Nevis’ OECS Record of 43.53. St. Kitts-Nevis-with two members of their 2009 record setting squad in the lineup-placed third in 45.19.

Puerto Rico’s time erased the three-year old All Comers Record of 43.97 seconds set by Canada in 2013.

With three teams in the lineup-OECS Record holders Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis and non OECS member Barbados all of whom had run 38.65 seconds or faster-the soft eight-year old All Comers Record of 41.10 seconds established by Puerto Rico was going to fall.

Barbados in particular, ranked No. 17 among relay teams eyeing a spot in Rio, came to the meet needing to run 38.59 seconds, which would have bumped Cuba from the No. 16 position.

St. Kitts-Nevis got out fast, holding a lead through the first three legs before the serious running began.

By the time the pecking order was established at the finish, Antigua and Barbuda’s Miguel Francis-with the second fastest 200m time in the world this year of 19.88 seconds and coming off winning the 100m in 10.34 seconds-ran past Barbados’ Mario Burke to win in 38.91 seconds a Championships Record, wiping out St. Kitts-Nevis’ 39.38 time from 2014. Barbados followed in 39.11 and St. Kitts-Nevis got to the line in 39.39.

The Championships Records began falling when, the BVI’s Harrigan-Scott ran a season’s best of 11.25 seconds-just 03 off her 11.22 All Comers Record from 2010-to win the 100m and erased Dominica’s Hermine Joseph’s 11.83 seconds from 1991, in the earlier version of the championships.

Kelly then followed with a Championships Record, after measuring her steps to nip fast starting and defending champion Kineke Alexander of St. Vincent and the Grenadines at the tape, 52.29-52.30. It was a personal best and National Record, erasing the 52.35 established by Malone in 2010. Grenada’s Kanika Beckles was third in 53.37.

In the men’s 400m race, St. Kitts-Nevis’ Warren Hazel had a comfortable 46.30 seconds victory over the BVI’s Khari Herbert who ran 46.63, and destroyed his countryman Lestrod Roland’s meet record 47.67 from 2014. St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Brandon Valentine-Parris, finished third in 46.77.

The next meet and All Comers Record to fall on the track came when St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Delhonni Nicols-Samuel lapped everyone except second placer Reon Radix, to win the 5000m in 15 minutes, 08.62 seconds. Grenada’s Radix, ran 15:59.09 while countryman Tallan James was third in 16:38.55. Nicols-Samuel’s time, erased St. Lucia’s Jason Sayers All Comers mark of 15:40.32, from 2002.

Marbeq Edgar led a St. Lucian 1-2 finish in the 800m, while erasing Antigua and Barbuda’s Dale Jones’ 26 year old mark of 1 minute 53.5 seconds covering the two circuits in 1:50.22 as the new Championships Record. Michael James was second in 1:51.30 and St. Kitt-Nevis’ Masai Jeffers, third in 1:53.25.

Tynelle Gumbs of the BVI, started off the field events record spree, when she added more than 10 meters on to St. Vincent and the Grenadine’s 37.32m mark from 2014, for a Championships, All Comers and National Record, with her 47.51m measurement. Twin sister Trevia was second with a throw of 43.93m, while St. Kitts-Nevis’ Stavia Lewis also went over the old mark with her 38.74m effort.

In the men’s equivalent, BVI strongman Eldred Henry claimed the 26-year old meet record of 49.22m established by Dominica’s Brian Bynoe, with a third round throw of 53.22m. Henry’s mark also wiped out Eric Matthias’ 51.51m 2008 All Comers Record.

With the Triple Jump being contested for the first time in the history of the championships, St. Lucia’s Sandisha Antoine laid down the standard with a fourth round 13.38m leap, after opening with 13.34m, to break Malone’s eight-year old All Comers Record of 12.40m.

Dominica’s Thea LaFond was second after cutting the sand at 12.70m while Kala Penn of the BVI secured third place with her second round leap of 12.39m.

St. Kitts-Nevis’ Jermaine Francis took down the BVI’s Raymond Solomon’s 25-year old High Jump Championships Record of 2.10m and Karl Scatliffe’s All Comers Record of 2.13m, with his leap of 2.16m.

After Day I, St. Kitts held a five points advantage over St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 65-60, in the Men’s Division. Grenada is third with 46. The BVI has 33, St. Lucia, 31, Antigua and Barbuda 26, Dominica 18 and Montserrat 8.

In the Women’s Division, host BVI amassed 69 points followed by Grenada with 42. St. Kitts occupies third place with 29, one ahead of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Defending champions St. Lucia is in fifth place with 15. Antigua and Barbuda is on 11 points, Anguilla 10 and Dominica 8.

Penn Relays, Personal Best for BVI Track Athletes

By BVI Athletics Association

Ashley Kelly, Karene King, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Chantel Malone at the Penn Relays. Photo: Provided

Ashley Kelly, Karene King, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Chantel Malone at the Penn Relays. Photo: Provided

The British Virgin Islands quartet of Ashley Kelly, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Chantel Malone and Karene King, competed at the prestigious Penn Relays in the USA vs the World 4x100m relay on Saturday, April 30. They finished sixth in 44.97 seconds.

At the NTC/Pure Athletics Spring invitational in Clermont, FL, Lakeisha ‘Mimi” Warner was second after chopping her 400m personal best from 55.88 seconds earlier this year to 54.96, becoming the seventh BVI female athlete under 55.00 seconds in the process. Judine Lacey was fourth in the same heat in 57.46.

Tarika ‘Tinker Bell’ Moses won section 4 of her 200m heat in a personal best of 24.14 seconds, while Jonel Lacey lowered her three-year old best from 24.68 to 24.20, to finish fourth in section three. Warner and Moses qualified for the July 19-24, IAAF World Jr. Championships in a second event, with their respective marks. Warner’s 58.14 seconds at the Carifta Games qualified her in the 400m Hurdles, while Moses’ 53.72 in the 400m, also came at Carifta. Both of their Carifta marks were personal bests.

At the Sunshine Invitational Sprint meet in Miami’s Tropical Park on May 2, Moses followed up her 200m personal record by shaving .06 off her 400m best in winning the event in 53.66 seconds. Jonel Lacey became the eighth BVI female under 55.00, when she obliterated her 55.78 personal best from earlier this season with 54.76.

Harrigan-Scott used a windy 11.28 to win the 100m final, after advancing with 11.55. King who did not contest the 100m final after a seasons best 11.64, won the 200m in 23.61.

Warner ran 2 minutes 13.27 seconds to win the 800m.

Adaejah Hodge qualified for the Georgia State Championships after excellent showing in the Smyrna District Championships. After stumbling out the blocks, she won the 100m in 14.03 seconds, then placed second in the 200m in 28.32 seconds and leapt 12’11” a mark good for second in the Long Jump. The state championships will be held on May 14.

Twins and Central Arizona sophomores Trevia and Tynelle Gumbs, are competing in the Region One Championships, May 3 – 5.

BVI Quartet Improves 4x100m Relay National Record

By BVI Athletics Association

Karene King, left, Chantel Malone,Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Ashley Kelly. Photo: Annabelle Skelton-Malone

Karene King, left, Chantel Malone,Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Ashley Kelly. Photo: Annabelle Skelton-Malone

Running together for the first time since 2013, the BVI’s quartet of Ashley Kelly, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Chantel Malone and Karene King, broke their six year old 4 x 100m Relay National Record at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday.

In placing second, the quartet had a time of 44.05 seconds, to erase the 44.34 mark they established in 2010 on home soil, in beating St, Kitts-Nevis, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) record holders. Their mark is the third best ever recorded by an OECS squad behind St. Kitts-Nevis’ 43.52 and 43.98 from 2009.

They will line up at the Penn Relays on Saturday in the USA vs Rest of the World.

In individual competition, Malone won the Long Jump with a leap of 6.43m, while Harrigan-Scott had a season’s best of 11.34 seconds in the 100m. Kelly lowered her five-year old 100m best from 11.61 seconds to 11.58, and moved from No. 5 to No. 3 on the territory’s All Time List. King ran her 200m in 23.97.

St. Augustine’s Jr. Khari Herbert, was second in the CIAA Conference Championships 400m with a season’s best 46.95 seconds, after advancing with 47.17. He anchored the 4x400m Relay to a second place finish in 3 minutes, 12.39 seconds in helping retain the conference title with 203 points.

At the Triton Invitational in San Diego, twin sisters and Central Arizona sophomores Tynelle and Trevia Gumbs, had marks of 50.18m and 47.58m respectively in the Hammer Throw on Friday. Tynelle then threw the Discus 39.83m and Trevia, 39.69m. In Saturday’s action, Tynelle had a disappointing mark of 34.05m in the Javelin while Trevia recorded a season’s best of 13.48m in the Open Shot Put.

Record 27 Nominated For Athletes of The Year Presented By Sol

By BVIAA

NACAC President Victor Lopez Photo Credit: Todd VanSickle

NACAC President Victor Lopez Photo Credit: Todd VanSickle

Despite uncertainty surrounding the start of the 2015 season because of repair work planned for the Mondo track at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds, BVI track and field athletes turned in stellar performances during the 2015 season.

As BVI athletes put those early season challenges behind, there was an unparalleled run of National Records in the BVI Athletics Association 44-year history, where for 13 consecutive weeks, starting on January 23, 2015, some level of National Youth, Jr. Senior Record was established.

Against that backdrop, a record 27 athletes are vying for the coveted Athlete of the Year awards presented by Sol in Youth, Junior and Senior divisions. The forthcoming event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 29, at the Moorings. Donation is $50 single and $85 per couple.

Sol will also dole out awards to athletes who have established a National Records that stood at season’s end. In all, there were 15 National Records established during the season.

During the evening, the Most Outstanding Athletes Awards from U9 through the Open Divisions in track events, field events and combined events will be recognized as well as the Most Improved Athlete, and the Comeback Athlete of the Year.

The Coach of the Year will also be named. Awards for Road Racing will also be presented and three early contributors to the development of the organization will receive the BVIAA’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Following are the respective nominees in the different divisions.

2015 Athletes of The Year Nominees presented by Sol
2015 Youth Female Athlete of the Year
Beyonce DeFreitas, A’Keela McMaster Alisha Hayde, Ariyah Smith, Asia McMaster

2015 Youth Male Athlete of the Year
Kori Penn, Sean Samuel, Malakai Smith, T’Koy Stevens, M’Kori Crabbe

2015 Jr. Male Athlete of the Year
Kryon McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw, K’Cei Moses, D’Jimon Gumbs

2015 Jr. Female Athlete of the Year
Trevia Gumbs, Tynelle Gumbs, Nelda Huggins, Taylor Hill, Deya Erickson, L’T’sha Fahie

2015 Sr. Male Athlete of the Year
Khari Herbert, Eldred Henry, Shaquoy Stephens

2015 Sr. Female Athlete of the Year
Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Karene King, Ashley Kelly, Chantel Malon

2015 Most Outstanding Track & Field Performance Nominees

2015 Most Outstanding Combined Track Events Male Athlete
Akeem Bradshaw, Kyron McMaster, Khari Herbert

2015 Most Outstanding Combined Field Events Male Athlete
Akeem Bradshaw, Eldred Henry, Dylan Moses, Kevin Vanterpool

2015 Most Outstanding Combined Track Events Female Athlete
Ashley Kelly, Karene King, Taylor Hill, Nelda Huggins

2015 Most Outstanding Combined Field Events Female Athlete
Kala Penn, Tynelle Gumbs, Trevia Gumbs, Arianna Hayde

2015 Most Outstanding Combined Events Male Athlete
Eldred Henry

2015 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Track Athlete
Shaquoy Stephens, Khari Herbert, Tarique Moses

2015 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Track Athlete
Karene King, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Ashley Kelly

2015 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Field Athlete
Keron Stoute, Eldred Henry

2015 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Field Athlete
Chantel Malone

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Track Athlete
Ronique Todman, Kyron McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Track Athlete
Taylor Hill, Nelda Huggins, Lakeisha Warner, Jonel Lacey, Tarika Moses, Deya Erickson

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Field Athlete
Dylan Moses, Akeem Bradshaw, Kevin Vanterpool, Tahj Malone

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Field Athlete
Tynelle Gumbs, Trevia Gumbs, Javlyn Frett

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Track Athlete
Johnt’a Charles, K’Cei Moses, Malique Wattley

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Track Athlete
L’Tsha Fahie, Shaniah Caul, Kala Penn

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-18 Field Athlete
Djimon Gumbs, Diamante Gumbs, Tyrique Bradshaw

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-18 Field Athlete
Kala Penn, Arianna Hayde, Akira Phillips

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Track Athlete
Chaz Fahie, Ajaalee Malone, Malakai Romney

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Track Athlete
Xiomara Malone, Zara Brown, Beyonce DeFreitas, Tashara Edwards

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Field Athlete
J’Quaan Smith, Ajaalee Malone, Kawa Williams

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Field Athlete
Xiomara Malone, Z’Niah Hutchinson, Dominique Moses, Tashara Edwards

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under 13 Field Athlete
Malakai Smith, Kybah Dawson, Sha’el Lavacia

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under 13 Field Athlete
Aryiah Smith, Alisha Hayde, Chassidy George, Kaelyah Liburd

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-13 Track Athlete
Sh’ael Lavacia, Kybah Dawson, Wanyae Bell, Malakai Smith

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-13 Track Athlete
Alisha Hayde, D’Neigh Williams, Ariyah Smith, Shymmera Forbes

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under-11 Track Athlete
T’Koy Stevens, M’Kori Crabbe, Jahari Lacey, Kaleem Lettsome

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under-11 Track Athlete
Jahtivya Williams, Akeela McMaster, A’Deja Hodge, Keanjah Roberts
2
015 Most Outstanding Boys Under 11 Field Athlete
Kaleem Lettsome, T’Khoy Stevens, M’Kori Crabbe

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under 11 Field Athlete
A’Keela McMaster, D’Neah Hodge, Adeajah Hodge

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Field Athlete
Asia McMaster, Shannia Johnson, Jada John-Lewis

2015 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Track Athlete
Shannia Johnson, Asia McMaster, Jada John-Lewis, Jah’Kyla Morton

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Field Athlete
Sean Samuel, Latriel Williams, Kori Penn

2015 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Track Athlete
Kori Penn, Sean Samuel, Shamoi Dore

Premier Dental Collegiate Athlete of the Year Nominees
Khari Herbert, Trevia Gumbs, Eldred Henry, Tynelle Gumbs

2015 Road Racing Nominees (Unofficial) the 10th BVI Half Marathon will determine the rest of the Nominees.

Road Race Series Male Athlete of the Year
Julius Farley, Reuben Stoby

Road Race Series Female Athlete of the Year
Rosmond Johnson

Track and Field athletes up next for Pan Am Games

Track and field athletes/coaches as they arrived at the Toronto 2015 village were met by Swimmer, Elinah Phillip and coach Tracy Bradshaw.  Pictured L-R – Tracy Bradshaw, Winston Potter, Chantel Malone, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Elinah Phillip, Eldred Henry, Xavier Dag Samuels, Anthony Dougherty, and Karene King. Photo: Provided

Track and field athletes/coaches as they arrived at the Toronto 2015 village were met by
Swimmer, Elinah Phillip and coach Tracy Bradshaw.
Pictured L-R – Tracy Bradshaw, Winston Potter, Chantel Malone, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Elinah Phillip, Eldred Henry, Xavier Dag Samuels, Anthony Dougherty, and Karene King. Photo: Provided

BVI’s track and field athletes arrived in Canada last Wednesday, July 15 to prepare for the start of their competitions at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games.

On Tuesday, July 21 Tahesia Harrigan-Scott will be running in the 100m and Eldred Henry will be throwing for the territory in the Shot Put Finals. On Thursday, July 23 Karene King will take on the 200m and Chantel Malone will be competing in the Long Jump while Eldred Henry will compete in the Discus Finals.

Toronto 2015 kicked off on Friday, July 10 with the Opening Ceremony in which squash player, Joe Chapman led the VI delegation as the flag bearer. The following day, Joe marked the start of the territory’s participation in the Pan Am Games with his match in the Men’s Squash Singles against Alonso Escudero of Peru. The game was tough and Joe succumbed to Escudero in 3 sets,  11-7, 11-7, 11-2.

Next up was swimmer, Elinah Phillip who took part in the 100m Freestyle on July 14. She swam a time of 1:00.72 and finished 24th in the event but was unable to advance to finals. Elinah followed this performance with a race in her favoured event, the 50m Freestyle. While Elinah swam a season’s best of 27.37s and finished 21st overall in the event, her score was insufficient to advance her to the finals. Soaking up this experience, Elinah prepares for the World Championship in Russia in a few weeks.

These competitions serve as qualifiers for RIO 2016 Olympic Games.

Click here for the complete schedule of competitions and results.

VI’s Chantel Malone tops T&T Long Jump Championship

By VINO

Chantel Malone recorded a leap of 6.51m to easily claim top spot in the Long Jump ahead of Josanne Joseph’s 5.56m second place leap at the NGC-Sagicor National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Open Track and Field Championships in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday June 28, 2015. Photo: Provided

Chantel Malone recorded a leap of 6.51m to easily claim top spot in the Long Jump ahead of Josanne Joseph’s 5.56m second place leap at the NGC-Sagicor National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Open Track and Field Championships in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday June 28, 2015. Photo: Provided

Virgin Islands long jumper, Chantel Malone leaped to victory at the NGC-Sagicor National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Open Track and Field Championships in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday June 28, 2015.

Malone recorded a leap of 6.51m to easily claim top spot in the Long Jump ahead of Josanne Joseph’s 5.56m second place leap.

In the Women’s 100m, Kelly-Ann Baptiste led the way with a 10.84 seconds golden run in Saturday’s final. The clocking also equalled her own Trinidad and Tobago record, whilst Tahesia Harrigan-Scott finished 6th with a time of 11.46 and Taylor Hill, 11th in 11.93 seconds.

The BVI pair had both qualified for the final with runs of 11.52 and 11.92 seconds.

In the 200m ‘B’ final, Karene King and Ashley Kelly grabbed a one, two finish with times of 23.26 and 23.36 seconds respectively.

Kelly also grabbed third in the 400m with a run of 53.76 to finish behind Kineke Alexander’s 52.99 and Jenille Bellelli’s 53.39.

Also on Saturday, Renny Quow clocked 44.90 seconds to establish a new Championship record in the men’s 400m, and Guadeloupe’s Christelle Laurent returned a time of 19 minutes, 00.61 seconds in the women’s 5,000m.

On Friday, Emmanuel Stewart produced a 52.49 metres effort to set a new Championship record in the men’s hammer throw, and Kenyan Kenneth Rotich topped the men’s 10,000m field in 30:48.25.

On Sunday, Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott landed the spear 84.84 metres to win the men’s javelin and break his own Championship record.

The other record-breaker at the three-day meet was Marsha Mark-Baird.

On Saturday and Sunday, the 41-year-old athlete accumulated 4,793 points to strike gold in the women’s heptathlon, erasing Natoya Baird’s 4,679-point Championship record from the books in the process.

Baptiste, Quow, Stewart, Walcott and Mark-Baird are all expected to represent T&T at the July 10-26, 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada.

Baptiste, Quow and Walcott achieved qualifying standards on the weekend, while Stewart and Mark-Baird qualified earlier in the season.

On March 21, in North Carolina, USA, Stewart threw 53.41m to better the 53.00m men’s discus standard.
And on May 13 and 14, 2015 in Utah, USA, Mark-Baird totalled 5,105 points in the women’s heptathlon, more than 200 points better than the 4,900 Pan Am standard in the seven-discipline event.

SUNDAY’S FINALS
Men’s 200m (wind: +1.7)
1 Kyle Greaux (Abilene) 20.42. 2 Rondel Sorrillo (La Brea) 20.50, 3 Dan-Neil Telesford (Neon Trackers) 20.53

Women’s 200m (wind: +2.2)
1 Reyare Thomas (Abilene) 22.97, 2 Kamaria Durant (Simplex) 23.15, 3 Magnolia Howell (unattached) 23.64

Women’s 200m “B” race (wind: +1.8)
1 Karene King (British Virgin Islands) 23.26, 2 Ashley Kelly (British Virgin Islands) 23.36, 3 Ngozi Onwumere (Nigeria) 23.78

Women’s 800m
1 Alena Brooks (Memphis) 2:06.71, 2 Myah Hicks (Memphis) 2:07.66, 3 Dawnel Collymore (Memphis) 2:10.76

Men’s 400m hurdles
1 Jehue Gordon (Memphis) 50.06, 2 Emmanuel Mayers (Rebirth) 50.24, 3 Ruebin Walters (Memphis) 51.82

Women’s 400m hurdles
1 Josanne Lucas (Falcons) 56.76 (56.757), 2 Sparkle McKnight (Memphis) 56.76 (56.759)

Men’s high jump
1 Brendan Williams (Dominica) 2.10m, 2 Omari Benoit (Falcons) 1.90m, 3 Rodney Liverpool (Defence Force) 1.90m

Women’s long jump
1 Chantel Malone (British Virgin Islands) 6.51m (wind: +2.4), 2 Josanne Joseph (Concorde) 5.76m (wind: +3.3), 3 Dannielle Davis (unattached) 5.64m (wind: +2.1)

Women’s shot put
1 Cleopatra Borel (Rebirth) 18.46m, 2 Chelsea James (Falcons) 14.54m, 3 Jaleesa Williams (D’Abadie Progressive) 14.48m

Men’s 4x100m
1 Abilene 40.75, 2 Alpha Athletic 41.02, 3 Defence Force 41.91

Men’s 4x400m
1 Memphis Pioneers 3:13.72, 2 Defence Force 3:14.29, 3 Dovers 3:22.78

400m Personal Best for Herbert in CIAA Conference Championships

By BVIAA

Caption: Khari Herbert, left on his way to finishing fourth in the CIAA Conference Championships in 46.81 seconds in the 400m, improving his best from 47.21 Photo: Provided

Caption: Khari Herbert, left on his way to finishing fourth in the CIAA Conference Championships in 46.81 seconds in the 400m, improving his best from 47.21 Photo: Provided

St. Augustine’s sophomore Khari Herbert became just the third British Virgin Islands male athlete to break 47.00 seconds in the 400m, when he placed fourth in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference Championships held at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va., on Saturday.

Herbert was timed in 46.81 seconds and moved to No. 2 on the BVI All Time List in helping the Falcons to add the CIAA Outdoor Conference title to the Indoor title they won in February. The Falcons amass 158 points to win their 18th consecutive CIAA title.

Herbert lowered his best of 47.21 from 2013 and ran 47.23 in the prelims to qualify for the final. He missed the 200m final after running 21.82 seconds to place fourth in his heat with the ninth best time overall.

In New Jersey, sprinter Ashley Kelly won a sprint double at the Larry Ellis Invitational in Princeton. Kelly had times of 11.88 seconds and a season’s best of 23.68 in the 200m for the best mark by a BVI female so far this season. She will open her 400m campaign in St. Maarten on May 9.

Sprinter Tahesia Harrigan-Scott was second in her 100m heat with a wind aided time off 11.36 seconds, in the NTC/Pure Athletics Invitational in Clermont, Fla. She ran 11.48 to advance to the final.

Chantel Malone was fourth in the Mt. SAC Invitational Long Jump on Saturday, when she cut the sand with a best mark of 6.36m, during a effort that had a +2.1 meters per second tailwind. Sprinter Karene King finished seventh in the 100m in Friday night in 11.82 seconds and she was sixth in the 200m on Saturday, in 24.09 seconds.