Harrigan-Scott, King Wins Jimmy Carnes Indoor Invitational 55 & 200m

By: Dean Greenaway

karene_&_harrigan_indoorTahesia Harrigan-Scott and Karene King won the 55m and 200m respectively in the 2014 Jimmy Carnes Indoor Invitational in Gainesville, Florida on Friday, to kick off their respective annual under cover campaigns. Meanwhile, Ashley Kelly won a sprint double in New York.

The competition also saw Taylor Hill making her 55m debut and Bethune-Cookman Sr. Keron Stoute competing in the High Jump.

Tru Fit Athletics’ Harrigan-Scott won the 55m in 6.76 seconds after advancing from the semis with 6.78. Sprint Tech Track Club’s Karene was sixth in 7.01, after a 6.96 semi. Hill, in her debut appeared in the same heat with Harrigan-Scott and was fourth in her semi in 7.21. Hill ran 25.87 in her 200m heat.

King had the fastest indoor 200m opener of her career, with a 24.46 winner.

Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman Sr. Keron Stoute was second in the High Jump with a leap of 2.05m (6’8¾”).

Kelly’s NYU Shootout Double

Ashley Kelly grabbed a double at the NYU Saturday Night Shoot Out. Kelly ran a personal best of 7.51 seconds to win the 60m and took the 200m in 24.88.

Elsewhere, Alex Shchegol freshman Khari Herbert Jr. strained his hamstring competing in the Albany Grate Danes Classic in New York. Hebert Jr. was at the time competing in the 200m. He’s expected to miss about three weeks of action.

Virgin Islands Cyclist Is Creating A Storm In The Category 3 Division

By: Charlie Jackson
Daryl Christopher JrDaryl Christopher Junior is chomping at the bite to get the 2014 Cycling season going as he has much to look forward to and much to achieve now that he has reached the status of a USA Cycling Category 3 ranked Rider.

Christopher Jr. began his journey towards the Pro Ranks, not only on the roads of Tortola and the Caribbean, but also larger races in the United States over the last couple of years

“I started in Cat 5, which is basically for Amateurs,” explained Christopher Junior, “In Cat 5 I did about 5 races, coming 6th in the first one and then won the rest. I was moved up to Cat 4 and also had success there.”

After about 6 more races in Category 4, he achieved Cat 3 status, which is an equivalent to being semi pro.

“Most of the races have different levels, pro 1, pro 2 and pro 3, so I’m at the lowest level of being a professional, but joining a development team which has ex-professional rider, Nathan O’Neil, will be a great help in moving up.

Christopher Junior’s season starts by the end of February and one race he is looking forward to is a stage race in Wisconsin, which lasts for 11 days with 9 criteriums and a couple of time trials.

“I love stage races, just being able to ride for two or three weeks is what I like. I will be doing more training for stage races. After a race in Georgia I will be heading to Wisconsin and hope to do well at that one.”

Christopher Junior, who has the likes of Peter Saga, Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins as role models, has become much more focused in doing well and being a success.

“It’s a different environment, a different atmosphere; everyone works together and wants to see each other do well. You have to eat proper, sleep and get to training on time, everything plays a part.”

Whilst Christopher Junior might not be able to race again on the roads of Tortola, he would still like to be a part of representing the Territory in events like the Caribbean Championships, but it will all come down to his Coach as to whether time would allow it.

Dad, Daryl Christopher Senior is very proud of his son and will be hoping to watch some of the upcoming races.

“I knew he was always dedicated to the sport, always focused and am thankful now that he is in the right environment and surrounded by the right people, in terms of coaching, so we can see his development in the sport. As soon as the team gets going, maybe like mid season, I will be hoping to go watch one of the big events, like Wisconsin.”

Twin Sisters’ Throws Demolish National Records In BVIAA Development Meet

By: Dean Greenaway

Tynelle webA pair of twin sisters demolished a set of Tahiriah Lewis’ 12-year old National Records in the throwing events, highlighting the BVI Athletics Association third Development Series meet at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on Friday night.

Already the second best thrower on the territory’s Discus Throw All Time List, Top Notch Track Club’s Tynelle Gumbs—who is also the Javelin Throw standard bearer—became the first to crack 40 meters when she unleashed a 40.89m (134’1¾”) effort, erasing her 37.27m (122’3¼”) from March 9 last year. In the process, the 2013 Carifta Games U20 Girls Javelin Throw bronze medalist—who became the first 30m-30m combination thrower—broke Lewis’ mark of 38.54m (126’6”), which stood since 2002. [Read more…]

Stiff U13 Competition Highlights BVIAA New Initiative In Capoons Bay

By: Dean Greenaway

U11&13 150m copyLess than 24 hours after opening its 2014 season, the BVI Athletics Association launched a new initiative in its annual Development Series, when for the first time in its history competition was organized outside Road Town.

This particular meet’s flavor was garnished with its future U9, U11 and U13 stars putting on a show, as they represented Fast Lane Jrs. Top Notch Track Club, Runners Track Club, First Impression and Joyce Samuel Primary School. [Read more…]

McMaster Kicks Off BVIAA Development Series With 400M Hurdles Youth Record

By: Dean Greenaway

KyronFresh off establishing a 400m National Scholastic Record last year and being the only male athlete qualifying for the 8th IAAF World Youth Championships, Kyron McMaster made his 400m Intermediate Hurdles debut and established a National Youth Record, as the 2014 BVI Athletics Association Development Series kicked off on Friday evening. [Read more…]

Chantel Malone cops BVI Sr. Female Athlete Of The Year Award

By Dean Greenaway

2013 Athletes of the year receive awards presented by Sol (photo credit: Todd VanSickle)

2013 Athletes of the year receive awards presented by Sol (photo credit: Todd VanSickle)

Chantel Malone walked away with the 2013 BVI Sr. Female Athlete of the Year award presented by Sol, during the 5th BVI Athletics Association Athletes Awards Gala at the Moorings on Friday night.

Malone who established a National Record with her Long Jump leap of 6.65m during the inaugural Chris Brown Invitational in Nassau in April, picked up the award for the second time after taking the Sr. laurel in 2011. She was also the 2009 & 2010 Jr. Female Athlete of the Year.

Malone was one of three athletes qualifying for the 14th IAAF World Sr. Championships in Moscow, where she placed 21st in her pet event. She is ranked among the top 40 Long Jumpers in the world and 3rd in the Central American and Caribbean region at season’s end.
[Read more…]

Two early record holders to receive BVIAA Lifetime Achievement Awards

By: Dean Greenaway

Two male athletes who were on the first team representing the territory in Track and Field shortly after the BVI Athletics Association was formed on September 19, 1970, will be the recipients of the association’s Lifetime Achievement Awards, during its 5th Athletes Awards Gala on Friday, December 27. The

Gene Hodge

Gene Hodge, a former Shot Put & Discus Throw National Record Holder along with Dale Abrahamson, will receive the 2013 BVI Athletics Association Lifetime Achievement Awards during the Association’s Dec 27, Athletes Awards Gala (Photo credit: Dean ‘Sportsman’ Greenaway)

Gala is set for 7 p.m. at the Moorings on Friday, Dec 27.

Middle distance runner Dale Abrahamson and field event specialist Gene Hodge—who held National Records in the 800/1500m and Shot Put and Discus Throw respectively—will be recognized for their achievements, as the association continues to honor those who helped to lay the foundation in the early days of the sports development.

Another early track and field stalwart, the first athlete to serve as the association’s president in the late 1970s and was the first to penetrate the 20’ barrier in the Long Jump and 6’ in the High Jump—Robert Mathavious, the Managing Director and CEO of the BVI Financial Services Commission—will be the guest speaker.

More than 70 awards will be doled out during the evening culminating with the Athletes of the Year in Youth, Jr. and Sr. Divisions, presented by Sol.

Regional Anti-Doping efforts get an educational boost

Wayne Robinson, physical education teacher, Ebenezer Thomas Primary School, attended the education training in Barbados sponsored by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA

Wayne Robinson, physical education teacher, Ebenezer Thomas Primary School, attended the education training in Barbados sponsored by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA

The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) concluded a successful two-day meeting in Barbados with its 15 member countries where Board Members and Educators met to advance anti-doping education across the Caribbean region.

Sponsored by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the education training was designed to provide member countries with specific educational tools and approaches that can be adopted and adapted to suit local realities.

Ephraim Penn, RADO board member of the British Virgin Islands, and Wayne Robinson, a physical education teacher at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School, attended the meeting. Robinson, who was recommended for the education training by the Department of Education, will serve as the local lead in the anti-doping outreach efforts targeting students.

Rob Koehler, Director of Programme Development & Education at WADA, stressed that “it’s not all about testing….education must be the hallmark of our global efforts so that athletes understand the fundamental difference between cheating and playing fairly in all sports”.

Leading the education training was Lea Cleret, WADA’s Manager of Education, who was satisfied that participants left the training more empowered and equipped to implement anti-doping programmes in their countries.

WADA Officials also had discussions with the Hon. Stephen Lashley, Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, and Mr. Steve Stoute, President of the Barbados Olympic Association.

The Board of the Caribbean RADO also met to review this year’s operations, and to plan for 2014 ahead of the revisions to the World Anti-Doping Code that will take effect on January 1st, 2015.

Supported by the local anti-doping and medical commission and Mr Penn, Robinson will spearhead the roll out of the 2014 campaign strategy once it has been approved by RADO.

The week’s events will make a significant dent in accelerating current regional anti-doping programmes and ensure that all countries expand efforts to reach the sport fraternity, especially athletes, as comprehensively as possible.

The Caribbean RADO’s member countries include Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Turks & Caicos Islands and Trinidad & Tobago.

For further information, please contact Ephraim Penn, Board Member for the British Virgin Islands at (284) 4969004.

SOL to recognize athletes of the year at upcoming BVI Gala

BVIAA Atheles of Year Image webThe BVI Athletics Association is gearing up for its 5th Athletes Awards Gala, where its partner Sol will dole out the 2013 Athletes of the Year Awards in Youth, Junior and Senior divisions.

On the heels of a competitive and successful season, there has been a full slate of nominees for the awards by Sol in each of the divisions.

The forthcoming event is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec 27 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 stand at season’s end. Records began tumbling with the Jr. Boys Shot Put in the first Development Series Meet on January 12 and ended with the Jr. Boys Discus Throw on August 23 in Medellin, Colombia.

In all, there were 12 National Records established including nine individual marks during the season. Records were also established in the Youth Girls 4x100m and 4x400m Relays and the Youth Girls Sprint Medley Relay.

During the evening, the Most Outstanding Athletes Awards from U9 through the Open Divisions in track events, field events and combined events will be presented 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 two will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.

A new award—the LIME Collegiate Athlete of the Year—will be introduced this at the gala and three are vying for the prize.

Following are the nominees for the Sol Athletes of the Year and other awards at the 5th BVIAA Gala.

 

Athletes of The Year presented by Sol Nominees

2013 Sol Youth Male Athlete of the Year—Koen Penn, J’Quaan Smith, Keci Moses

2013 Sol Youth Female Athlete of the Year—Beyonce DeFreitas, Judine Lacey, Arianna Hayde

2013 Sol Jr. Male Athlete of the Year –Kryon McMaster, Khari Herbert, Kadeon Potter

2013 Sol Jr. Female Athlete of the Year—Tarika Moses, Nelda Huggins, Lakeisha Warner, Trevia Gumbs

2013 Sol Sr. Male Athlete of the Year—Eldred Henry, Keron Stoute, Mark Kendall

2013 Sol Sr. Female Athlete of the Year—Tahesia Hairrgan-Scott, Karene King, Ashley Kelly, Chantel Malone

 

Most Outstanding Track & Field Performances Nominees

2013 Most Outstanding Combined Events Female Athlete—Kanishque Todman, Ashley Penn, Kala Penn

2013 Most Outstanding Combined Events Male Athlete—Keron Stoute

2013 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Track Athlete—Mark Kendal,

2013 Most Outstanding Women’s Field Athlete—Chantel Malone, Kanishque Todman

2013 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Track Athlete—Karene King, Tahesia Harrigan-Scott, Ashley Kelly

2013 Most Outstanding Men’s Open Field Athlete—Keron Stoute

2013 Most Outstanding Women’s Open Field Athlete—Chantel Malone, Kanishque Todman

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Track Athlete— Khari Herbert, Shaquoy Stephens, Tarique Moses

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Track Athlete—Taylor Hill, Shaian Vandenburg, Jonel Lacey

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-20 Field Athlete—Eldred Henry, Kevin Vanterpool, Brandon Andrews, Aundre Turnbull

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-20 Field Athlete—Tynelle Gumbs, Trevia Gumbs

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-17 Track Athlete—Kyron McMaster, Akeem Bradshaw, Ronique Todman

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-17 Track Athlete—Tarika Moses, Nelda Huggins, Lakeisha Warner, L’Tisha Fahie

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-17 Field Athlete—Akeem Bradshaw, Kadeon Potter, Dylan Moses

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-17 Field Athlete—Kala Penn, Ashley Penn, Kiwana Emmanuel

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Track Athlete— Jelani Norman, Rakeel Jack, Khoy Vanterpool, Keci Moses

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Track Athlete— Zakharia Frett, Arianna Hayde, J’Nae Wong, Judine Lacey, Shaquana Stevens

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-15 Field Athlete— Jelani Norman, Rakeel Jack, Khoy Vanterpool, Keci Moses

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-15 Field Athlete—J’Nae Wong, Arianna Hayde, Dekoya Hodge, Mya Walwyn

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under 13 Field Athlete— Chaz Fahie, J’Quaan Smith, Koen Penn

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under 13 Field Athlete—Beyonce DeFreitas, Xiomara Malone, Zara Brown, Myka Walwyn

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-13 Track Athlete—J’Quaan Smith, Koen Penn, Shiloh Dawson

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-13 Track Athlete—Beyonce DeFreitas, Xiomara Malone, Zara Brown

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under-11 Track Athlete—Wyanee Bell, Sha’el Lavacia, Kybah Dawson, Kyron Walwyn

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under-11 Track Athlete—D’Neigh Williams, Alisha Hayde, Shammera Forbes, Kala Liburd

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under 11 Field Athlete—Carlyiek Benjamin, Sha’ei Lavacia, ASPS; J’Khoi Smith WWPS

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under 11 Field Athlete—Izariah Frett, St.Georges; D’Neigh Williams, Abriel Maglorie

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Field Athlete—Nayerlin Richards, FLPS; A’Keela McMaster, Adeajah Hodge.

2013 Most Outstanding Girls Under 9 Track Athlete— A’Keela McMaster, Jahtavia Williams, Adajeh Hodge

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Field Athlete—Jason Smith, Deshaun Doyley, Bradford Green.

2013 Most Outstanding Boys Under 9 Track Athlete—M’Khori Crabbe, Jahari Lacey, Kadir Maduro.

Three field athletes to benefit from weeklong camp in Grenada

GRENADA CAMPwebTwo Javelin Throwers and a Shot Putter are to benefit from the 2nd ANOECS Sports Academy Camp in St. Georges, Grenada, this week.

The camp, which targets U18 athletes, runs from Dec 9-14 at the Grenada National Stadium. [Read more…]