By BVIAA

Spirited battles characterized the 2015 Inter Primary Schools Athletics Championships that returned to its old format but only with A and B Divisions.

Early in the competition, perennial A Division champs Althea Scatliffe found themselves in an unusual position: trailing. From the gun in the U9 Division, Enis Adams took it to “the mighty Scatliffe” with a little help from St. Georges, Ebenezer Thomas and Willard Wheatley, as Scatliffe was only able to capture the 13+ Girls 100m sprint, an area they usually dominate as they sit adjacent to the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

In fact, Scatliffe only enjoyed five victories overall in events between the U9 Division 60m and the 13+ Division 400m – with two of their five victories in the 200m – and unusual occurrence.

Scatliffe made up their points in other areas to overcome the sprinting drought and amassed 370 points. Enis Adams was second with 260 followed by Francis Lettsome who scored 252. Willard Wheatley edged St. Georges 218-212 to place fourth. Ebenezer Thomas missed the 200 points plateau by three with 197 for sixth while Virgin Gorda’s Bregado Flax finished with 189. Seventh Day Adventist scored 125 for eight while Cedar School rounded out the scoring with 53.

Scatliffe and Adams’ athletes each won three of the division titles at stake.

The respective A Division champions were as follows:

U9 Girls: A’Sia McMaster, Enis Adams, 22 points. U9 Boys: Kori Penn, Enis Adams, 23.

U11 Girls: A’Keela McMaster, Enis Adams, 30. U11 Boys: T’Khoy Stevens, Bregado Flax, 21.

U13 Girls: Alisha Hayde, Althea Scatliffe, 30. U13 Boys: Malaki Smith, Ebenezer Thomas, 30.

13+ Girls: Shakaeja Dore, Althea Scatliffe, 20. 13+ Boys: J’Quaan Bodkin Althea Scatliffe, 28.

Victor Ludorum: Malaki Smith, Ebenezer Thomas, 30. Victrix: (tie) A’Keela McMaster, Enis Adams, and Alisha Hayde, Althea Scatliffe, 30.

Joyce Samuel prevails in B Division
There was a dog fight for the B Division crown between Joyce Samuel and Alexandrina Maduro – who won by two points in the last event in 2013 under the old format – 377-375.

The two were at it again this year, but Joyce Samuel was able to cushion the attack, winning two of the final Sprint Medley Relays to their rivals one and a third place finish and dethroned the defending champs by seven points, 295-288 points.

Leonora Delville placed third with 215 while Ivan Dawson amassed 185 in fourth. Virgin Gorda’s Robinson O’Neal and First Impression were tied for fifth with 133 and Isabella Morris rounded out those scoring over 100 points with 117 in seventh position.

Pelican Gate won the battle of the smaller schools to finish eight ahead of Agape Total Life Academy, 73-65. Tenth was Jost Van Dyke with 47½ then Assembly of God Cornerstone with 36. Anegada’s Claudia Creque scored 24½ and Little Rainbow completed the scoring with 11.

The respective Division champs were:

U9 Girls: (tie) Sa’Myah Matthew, First Impression, and Sielle Cockburn, Lenora Delville, 10.

U9 Boys: Sean Samuel, Robinson O’Neal, 20.

U11 Girls: Kieanjah Roberts, Joyce Samuel, 30. U11 Boys: M’Khori Crabbe, Joyce Samuel, 30.

U13 Girls: Shymmera Forbes, Alexandrina Maduro, 30. U13 Boys: Khybah Dawson, Alexandrina Maduro, 30.

13+ Girls: Kiara Woodley, Joyce Samuel, 30. 13+ Boys: Eric Bobb, Lenora Delville, 30.

Victor Ludorum: (3-way tie) M’Khori Crabbe, Joyce Samuel, Khybah Dawson, Alexandrina Maduro and Eric Bobb, Lenora Delville, 30. Victrix Ludorum: (3-way tie) Kieanjah Roberts, Joyce Samuel, Shymmera Forbes, Alexandrina Maduro and Kiara Woodley, Joyce Samuel, 30.

By BVIAA

Kyron McMaster capped off four double doubles with a 200m personal best on Saturday evening, highlighting the 2-day Premier Dental National Jr. Championships, held at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

McMaster chewed up the field in the Under 20 and Open Boys 200m to win in 21.87 seconds, before ending the meet with a season’s best of 48.53 seconds in the 400m. He was followed by Fast Lane Track Club teammate, Ronique Todman in 49.49, and Top Notch Track Club’s Tarique “Tweety” Moses in 49.56, marking the first time that three athletes had broken 50 seconds on home soil in the same race.

Sprint Tech Track Club’s Keci Moses had a100/400m double in the U18 Boys event, with times of 11.23 and 52.18 respectively.

Top Notch’s Nelda Huggins Nelda Huggins – who moved to the U20 Girls division this year – won her fifth straight 100/200m double double, with season’s bests of 11.85 and 24.95 seconds. She has won a Carifta Games medal every year since 2011 and has seven to her credit.

In a battle of 14 year olds, Raw Skillz Track Club’s Mariah Christian became her club’s first Jr. National Champion when she held off Sprint Tech’s Acada Charles over the last 150m and fast charging Top Notch’s Z’Niah Hutchinson, to win the U18 Girls 800m in 2:37.77. Charles was 0.06 faster than Hutchinson–2:37.90-2:37.96.

Christian won the 1500m in 5:45.66 to Charles’ 5:55.88.

Other notable performances of the meet came from Sprint Tech’s Tarika “Tinker Bell” Moses and teammate Beyonce DeFreitas and Arianna Hayde.

Moses, who will compete in the U20 division this season and who established an indoor National Record of 2:12.46 in her 800m debut last month, made her first outdoor appearance in the 400m prelims with a 55.57 seconds time. She did not contest the final.

DeFrietas who turned 14 on Tuesday, missed her 400m personal best by 0.03 when she was a 13-year old, taking the final in 56.89 after turning in 57.14 in the prelims.

Hayde – using the meet prep for the Heptathlon and the U18 Girls Open Javelin Throw – copped a huge Long Jump personal best and moved to No. 9 on the All Time List, when she cut the sand at 5.41m (17’9″). Kala Penn turned in a season’s best of 5.58m (18’3¾”).

Hayde followed up her 39.59m Javelin Throw best from last month with a 38.90m effort.

U.S. Virgin Islands’ Avrey Joseph of St. Thomas, was the only U20 Boys Javelin Throw competitor to break the 50m barrier with his 52.09m winner.

Collegiate scene
Elsewhere, Tynelle Gumbs opened her outdoor season at the Central Arizona College’s Throwers Pentathlon on Saturday with a Discus Throw personal best of 42.16m among her five events where she scored 3400 points to place second. Twin sister Trevia was fifth with 3039, but added three meters onto her previous Discus Throw best with a 37.77m effort.

Eldred Henry scored 3449 for a win, highlighted by a 41.89m Hammer Throw measurement, the No.2 BVI mark on the All Time List.

St. Augustine’s sophomore Khari Herbert, competing at the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, was seventh in the 400m in 48.04 seconds, after running a personal best of 47.92 in the prelims.

Cary High School Sr. Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner, competing in the New Balance High Schools Nationals in New York, ran her 400m in 57.24 seconds.

At the Trinity Prep Invitational in Winter Park, Fla., Montverde Academy, Tahj Malone cleared the bar at 6’2″ to win the High Jump, while teammate, June Kinkead ran a personal best of 12:02.25 in the 3200 meters.

By BVIAA

After just over a year away, Ruben Stoby returned to the territory then showed his fitness level by winning Saturday’s Dive BVI 5K Series race on Virgin Gorda, becoming the third winner in as many races—this time by smashing the course record.

Stoby navigated the loop in the Valley in 18 minutes and 41 seconds to finish ahead of Julius Farley—who won the last race—and followed in 19:40. Virgin Gorda resident Curwin Andrews was third in 20:00.

“I was still competing in Guyana, but, it’s good to be back,” Stoby said. “I felt very comfortable this morning and I’m happy with my run. I didn’t really push it. But, in the coming events—especially the 5K on Tortola—I see there’s more competition there so I’m excited.”

Stoby had some concerns since he was unable to train leading up to the race. “I was careful not to spend myself too early,” he explained. “I just sat comfortably behind the race leaders and made my move on the return where it’s mostly downhill. I believe I could go a lot faster—but wow, a course record—that’s great.”

Tortola resident, Rosmond Johnson won the women’s division for the second time in 22:27. “Today’s race was nice and easy—and I had no competition,” Johnson noted. “I’m not surprised. I didn’t see anyone behind me and I said ‘this is going to be my race.’ When I’m in Tortola, I have more competition. Kat (Crumpler) and Tallulah (Kinkead) they are always ahead of me. I probably would be stressed (if they were here) but I didn’t stress at all.”

The race, which attracted 65 participants, raised $600 for St. Mary’s School, whose students assisted with registration, water stops, cheering and started the race.

“We had an amazing turnout, ranging in age from four to 70,” race director Casey McNutt noted. “There were a lot of new faces this morning. We hadn’t seen a lot of these people in our first two races, so, it was nice to have more in the community come out.”

Final Results.

Men: 1. Ruben Stoby, 18 minutes and 41 seconds. 2. Julian Farley, 19:40. 3. Curwin Andrews, 20:00. 4. Ravindra Sukhu, 20:08. 5. Zebulon McLean, 20:40. 6. Emrol Amsterdam, 20:46. 7. Keith Williams, 21:23. 8. Kevin Jackson, 22:23. 9. Rainford Legair, 23:07. 10. Jermain Abram,s 25:06. 11. Matt Crossman, 25:55. 12. Craig Ruetzel, 25:58. 13. Brian Hespriah, 26:14. 14. Dan Hewison, 27:07. 15. Wilbert Samuel, 30:21. 16. Scott Butz, 30:25. 17. Lewis Munn, 31:10. 18. Stephen Beard, 31:49. 19. Noah Fox, 35:26. 20. Zoltan Birinyi, 35:59. 21. Indi Abrams, 36:41. 22. Bob Gause, 38:22. 23. Atlas VanSickle, 39:24. 24. Doug Daren, 44:24. 25. Murry Maxwell, 44:24. 26. Lars Giersing, 46:09. 27. Ron Callan, 46:53.

Women:1. Rosmond Johnson, 22:27. 2. Lara Burt, 26:48. 3. Lissa Eidelman, 27:07. 4. Lindsey Wilson, 28:27. 5. Barbara Rhodes, 29:23. 6. Aman Bispham 29:23. 7. Lisa Redfern, 29:34. 8. Leanne Munn, 29:35. 9. Arielle Goodley, 29:38. 10. Ghislaine Hoojendijk, 29:40. 11. Becca Knight, 29:58. 12. Roslyn Gilbert, 30:15. 13. AJ Syrett, 31:13. 14. Clair Burke, 32:11. 15. Tara Murphy, 32:22.16. Sally-Ann Riley, 35:27. 17. Kia Edwards, 35:29. 18. Mary Dann, 37:28. 19. Chris Yates, 39:07. 20. Sarah VanName, 39:30. 21. Beth Besom, 39:30. 22. Judy Gause, 40:26. 23. Debbie Ridgeway, 45:39. 24. Kya Ridgeway, 45:39. 25. Linda Giersing, 46:09. 26. Penny Callan, 46:58. 27. Kim Beradine, 47:29. 28. Tieneke Louw, 47:29. 29. Betty Biancardi, 48:33. 30. Lynn Hawkins, 48:33, 31. Linda Li, 49:31, 32. Sophie Bennett, 49:31, 33. Arlyn Gordon, 1:00:19, 34. Aiko VanSickle, 1:00:19. 35. Eva Fox, 1:02:15. 36. Amy Riddlestorffer, 1:02:16. 37. Michela Paradisi, 1:02:16. 38. DNF Milli Abrams.

By BVIAA

British Virgin Islands’ native and Central Arizona College sophomore, Eldred Henry, won the 2015 National Jr. College Athletics Association Indoor Championships Shot Put crown on Friday night, then finished second in the 35-pounds Weight Throw on Saturday, earning All America honors in both events.

Twin sister teammates Trevia and Tynelle Gumbs were second and eight respectively in their Shot Put competition, with Trevia earning All America honors, marking the second time two BVI athletes have earned the feat in any level of Collegiate competition.

On his third throw of the Shot, Henry—who went into the championships as the top seed with a 20.00m mark—hit a 19m measurement for the first time with his 19.08m winner.

“A lot of people hadn’t seen him compete. A lot of people had only seen his 20.00m mark and a lot of people doubted his 20.00m mark,” coach Tony Dougherty noted. “And when he threw 19 as easily as he did it, everybody had to forget about it.”

Henry rose to the occasion again in the Weight Throw—his first season trying the event. Ranked in the top 10 coming in, he unearthed a twirl of 17.97m (58’11½”) to finish second, destroying his previous best of 16.84m (55’3”) in the process.

Dougherty said the Weight Throw isn’t an event Henry practices much but was doing it to get team points to help win the championship. Henry was a little upset Dougherty noted because he had heard too many people didn’t think he had thrown the shot that far and said he’s going to come back and wing the Weight Throw.

“The guy ranked first had over a 20.20m throw but Eldred didn’t care, then had a 17.97m throw—a meter more than his personal best,” Dougherty explained. “On his last throw, he really went after it and he foot fouled. The official didn’t see it, but Eldred being who he is, walked out the front (of the ring) because he knew he had fouled. That throw was almost 19m. So, he almost did what he said he was going to do (win it). I’ve learnt never to doubt him ever because when he puts his mind to it, it can happen.”

Henry has earned three All America honors in his two Jr. College Championships after winning the Discus Throw outdoors last year.

Trevia, who entered the meet ranked No. 2 in the Shot Put, met one of her goals—beating Jamaica’s Glenvieve Grange of New Mexico Jr. College with whom she has battled at the Carifta Games—but had to settle for second with a 14.59m mark behind Iowa Central’s Janeah Stewart’s 14.71 fourth round winner. Grange—who had the top mark entering the meet—placed fourth. Tynelle was eight to score a point with her opening 12.74 effort.

“Trevia had a personal best, but, even that throw came off her hand wrong,” Dougherty noted. “She was having difficulty with the grip of the ball. But, she threw well and competed well.”

In the 20-pounds Weight Throw, Tynelle—who entered the competition in pole position with an 18.14m throw (59’6½”)—was plagued by foul trouble and settled for sixth place with an opening heave of 15.91m (52’2½”)—her lowest mark of the season.

“She couldn’t get a grip on it and hyperventilated twice during the competition,” Dougherty said. “Being ranked first may have put some extra pressure on her—I don’t know—but, it was completely emotional, stress and she didn’t throw well.”

Central Arizona women finished fifth in the championships with 57 points while the men were second with 116.

By BVIAA

Neither St. Kitts-Nevis or the British Virgin Islands are known regionally for hurdling. That’s about to change.

A thrilling 400m Intermediate Hurdles finish where 0.04 separated St. Kitts-Nevis’ Oneil Thomas and the BVI’s Kyron McMaster, brought the curtains down on the BVI Athletics Association’s 7th Development Series meet of the season, ahead of the March 13-14 Premier Dental National Jr. Championships.

Under 20 Boys Thomas and McMaster, matched strides over the last 150m in a race that was a Carifta Games trials for the field, came off the final barrier almost in unison, drove for the line with Thomas getting the nod in 51.83 seconds to McMaster’s 51.87—both St. Kitts-Nevis and BVI National Jr. Records. Oneil’s time also established a BVI All Comers Record and St. Kitts-Nevis National Record.

Thomas chopped his best from last year’s 53.04 while McMaster sliced his from 53.26 also established in 2014.

In the female 100m Hurdles, St. Kitts-Nevis’ Kesshonna Brookes sped to a personal best of 14.00 seconds in the U18 Girls discipline, while the BVI’s Deya Erickson—who moved to the U20 division this year—made her season’s debut in 14.38, the No 2 Jr. mark behind Arianna Forbes’ 14.27 National Jr. Record.

Soon-to-be 14-year old, Beyonce DeFreitas won the U18 Girls 200m with a personal best effort of 25.09 seconds into a -1.2 meters per second headwind.

“We were looking for all the athletes to qualify in their respective events and we thought they had the opportunity to do it this meet because the level of competition is high in the BVI. We thought they were ready to go and qualify for the meets coming up in the summer,” St. Kitts-Nevis coach Donnell Esdaille said. “The times were superb. I believe now they
are ready to compete with the best in the Caribbean at the Carifta

Games level—especially Oneil and Kyron. They ran 51.8—that surpassed my expectations and I’m happy for that.”

With a personal best and National Jr. Record in his first race, McMaster expressed delight. “I went good for me because I’ve never started the season this good, this is one of my best seasons so far,” he noted. “The run felt good because around this time, we don’t get this type of competition until we reach the Carifta Games. To actually feel what I’ll be facing at Carifta, it gives me an idea of how I have to train now. How more aggressive I have to be technique wise to be prepared, so now I know what I’ll be up against.”

National Scholastic Record
In the field, Akeem Bradshaw demolished William “Willie” Archer’s 28-years and a day old National Scholastic Long Jump mark of 7.11m (23’4”) from March 5, 1987, when he cut the sand at 7.25m (23’9½”) on his opening leap and bettered his previous best of 6.91m (22’8”). He had a 7.40m (24’3½”) foul on his second attempt before leaving the Long Jump pit and lined up in the 200m where he ran a personal best of 22.50 seconds behind Ronique Todman’s personal best of 22.45.

In the USA, North Carolina’s Cary High School Sr. Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner made her 300m hurdles debut on Saturday, with a winning time of 47.9 seconds. Holmwood Technical High Sr. Jonel Lacey, competing at the Jamaica Carifta Games trials, missed the 400m Intermediate Hurdles final by a place with a time of 1:03.08, finishing fifth in her heat.

At the 40th Montverde Eagle Invitational in Orlando, Fla, Montverde Academy self coached basketball Sr. player Tahj Malone, matched last week’s 1.93m (6’4’) personal best High Jump effort, to win the competition. Sophomore teammate Jude Kinkead was 4th in his 1600m heat in 5:36.24.

By BVIAA

With the twin island federation of St. Kitts and Nevis hosting the 44th Carifta Games in less than a month, its hurdlers are heading to territory for a final tune up during Friday’s BVI Athletics Association Development Series meet, which comes ahead of next weekend’s Premier Dental National Jr. Championships.

A female 100m Hurdler and four 400m Intermediate Hurdlers from Sugar City, will be using the competition as their qualifier for the Carifta Games, the regional premier Jr. Championships set for April 3-6.

Coach Donnell Esdale will be bringing St. Kitts and Nevis’ 400m National Record holder Oneil Thomas who ran a best of 53.04 seconds to win the 2014 national title and Youth Olympic Games finalist Akeem Chumney, who ran 53.00 last year in the U18 Division. They will meet BVI record holder Kyron McMaster who ran against Chumney at the 2014 Carifta Games where he ran 52.97 seconds for the bronze in the U18 division. McMaster has run 53.26 over the U20 Division hurdles in which the trio will face off in Friday night’s last event.

Aljani Bridgewater who has run the U18 division barriers in 56.71 seconds will also see action.

Female hurdler Kiesshonna Brookes, who has a best of 14.45 seconds in the 100m U18 division, will get her tune up against National Youth Record Holder Deya Erickson, who has a best of 14.16 seconds. Erickson, a 2014 Youth Olympic Games participant, ran 14.32 to finish fifth in last year’s Carifta Games.

Friday’s competition begins at 5:30 p.m.

Field events include:1. Baseball Throw U19, U11, U13 (17:30).2. Shot Put U18, U20 & Open (17:30). 3. Long Jump U11-13-15-18-20-Open (17:30) 4. Discus Throw U18 and Open. Running Events: 150 Meters U9, U11, U13, U15. 200 Meters U15, U18, U20 & Open. 600 Meters U13 & U15. 800 Meters U18, U20 & Open. 100M Hurdles Open and 400m Hurdles Open.