Podium finishes for BVI at 2017 CARIFTA Games

Source: BVINews

Djimon Gumbs won silver in U18s Shot Put and Discuss Throw. Akira Phillip took silver in U20 Javelin Throw at 2017 CARIFTA. Photo: FLOW

D’Jimon Gumbs won silver in U18s Shot Put and Discuss Throw. Akira Phillip took silver in U20 Javelin Throw at 2017 CARIFTA. Photo: FLOW

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has earned a total of six medals at the 2017 CARIFTA Games, which ended April 17 at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Curaçao.

D’Jimon Gumbs copped two silver medals and Akira Phillip earned one to top the territory’s performance at the event. The BVI also bagged three bronze medals.

All of the medals – except one – were mined in field events – Discuss Throw, Shot Put, Triple Jump, and Javelin Throw.

Gumbs earned a silver each in the Under-18 Boys Shot Put as well as the Discuss Throw.

In the Discuss, he threw 60.43 metres to finish ahead of Jamaica’s Cobe Graham who won bronze with 52.71 metres. Another Jamaican, Daniel Cope, won the gold medal in this event with a new championship record of 61.25 metres.

And, in the Shot Put, Gumbs reached 17.58 metres to win silver. Graham from Jamaica picked up a second bronze (17.33 metres), and Cope from Jamaica hit another championship record with 18.17 metres.

The BVI picked up its third silver medal when Phillip made her presence felt in the Under-20 Girls Javelin Throw. It covered 44.63 metres. The gold medal went to Sah-Jay Stevens of Jamaica (45.10 metres), while the bronze was received by Trinidad and Tobago’s Asha James (43.24 metres).

Meanwhile, in relation to the BVI’s bronze medals, Kala Penn earned one in the Girls Under-20 Triple Jump, with a measurement of 12.73 metres. Tissanna Hickling from Jamaica got silver (12.87 metres), while Natricia Hooper from Guyana won the gold medal with a leap of 13.08 metres.

The only track event in which the BVI medalled is the Under-20 Girls’ 4X400 Metre Relay. The team of Shaniyah Caul, L’T’Sha Fahie, Kala Penn, and Sh’Kaida Lavacia completed the race in third position with a time of 3:53.04. The silver medal went to Bahamas (3:50.38), while Jamaica won gold with a time of 3:37.96.

Arianna Hayde delivered the BVI’s other bronze performance when she competed in the Girls Under-18 Javelin Throw with 41.90 metres. Trinidad and Tobago’s Kymoi Norai finished with the silver (44.98 metres), while Latia Saunders from the Bahamas earned the gold medal with 45.29 metres.

Jamaica won the 2017 CARIFTA Games, which took place from April 15 to 17.

Kyron McMaster ranked second fastest male 400m hurdler

Source: BVI Platinum

Kyron McMaster practicing drills at the A,O, Shirley Grounds. Photo: C M Farrington

Kyron McMaster practicing drills at the A,O, Shirley Grounds. Photo: C M Farrington

Local hurdler champion, Kyron McMaster is now ranked as the second fastest male 400 meter hurdler in the world, following his performance at a recent meet at the University of Florida.

McMaster came in first, in his first race of the season at the University. This was also his first event competing as a senior.

Aiming to qualify for this year’s IAAF World Athletic Championships in August 2017, McMaster completed the race in a time of 48.71, shattering the qualifying time of 49.03.

“It feels good. You always want to be in a spotlight in this day, where when you go to a meet, everyone is keen as to how a person will perform,” McMaster told BVI Platinum News, adding that his performance will open a lot of doors and opportunities for him to compete against better competitors in events to come.

He noted that his performance will only continue to climb, as he intends to continue working hard.

“It was my first race for the season, so from here on it’s for me to progress; that’s my mission right now.”

He continued, “At London, my aim is to do as best as I can. Its my first year in the senior division and this isn’t the easiest division. You have to be on you’re a-game at every event. For London, it’s just for me to execute and see how far I go.”

Just months ago, McMaster was ranked as the third fastest male junior in the 400 meter hurdles, following his bronze medal in the IAAF World Under 20 Championships 400 hurdles race, last June, 2016, in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

D’Jimon Gumbs sets new National Youth Shot Put Record

Source: BVI Platinum

Dijimon Gumbs established a new National Youth Record with a throw of 17.20m (56ft 5 1//4 inches) at the BVIAA's 5th Development meet on March 18, 2017

D’Jimon Gumbs established a new National Youth Record with a throw of 17.20m (56ft 5 1//4 inches) at the BVIAA’s 5th Development meet on March 18, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

During a remarkable performance, BVI’s own powerhouse in the discipline of Shot Put, D’Jimon Gumbs was able to break his standing National Youth Record three times in one meet.

Participating in the Development Meet held over the weekend, Saturday, March 18 at the A. O. Shirley Recreational Grounds, D’Jimon now boasts of a throw of 17.20m (56ft 5 1//4 inches), a new National Youth Record.

This distance places him at the top three of his class, under 18 boys.

In a meet held earlier in January 2017, he first established his youth record with a throw of 16.43m.

His performance made him the first athlete from the Territory to qualify for the 2017 Carifta Games in Curacao, April 15-17, as well as the World Under 18 Youth Championships in Kenya, July 2017.

Meanwhile, his brother Diamonte Gumbs secured his Carifta qualifier in the Shot Put as well, with a toss of 15.96m (52feet, 4.3 inches), surpassing the qualifying mark of 15.75m.

Alexandrina Maduro Primary School are Inter Primary Division B Champions

Source VINO

Alexandrina Maduro Primary school are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground. Photo: Provided

Alexandrina Maduro Primary school are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground. Photo: Provided

Alexandrina Maduro Primary School are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground in Road Town.

Leonora Delville were second on 268, Ivan Dawson third with 257 and Robinson O’Neal fourth with 205.

The Victor Ludurom was shared between Malaki A. Smith of Isabella Morris Primary and Sean Samuel of Robinson O ‘Neal, who both scored 30 points.

The Victrix Ludurom was K’Zariah Harrigan of Alexandrina Maduro Primary School. Harrigan scored 28 points.

Schools in the A Division are in action today, Thursday March 16, 2017, with St George’s, on the strength of the Boys who won every age group of the Long Jump and Baseball Throw pre events, leading perennial champs Althea Scatliffe by four points, 57-53.

Willard Wheatley are third with 43, while there’s a three way tie for fourth between new comers Joyce Samuel, Francis Lettsome and Enis Adams, all on 33 points. Ebenezer Thomas Primary lie seventh with 29 points and Bregado Flax Educational Centre round out the field with 25 points.

Alexandrina Maduro Primary school are Inter Primary Division B Champions after amassing 304 points yesterday, Wednesday March 15, 2017, on the A.O. Shirley Ground. Photo: Provided

BVI athletes deliver good results for USA colleges

By BVI Athletics Association

BVI athletes compete for USA colleges at the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University in Kansas on Saturday March 4, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

BVI athletes competed for USA colleges at the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University in Kansas on Saturday March 4, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

Athletes from the BVI competed in the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University in Kansas on Saturday March 4, 2017 and posted the following times.

Judine Lacey ran the 400m in a time of 1:00.18.

Taylor Hill ran the 60m dash in a time of 7.58 seconds in the semi-finals and also competed in the 200m with a time of 25.51 seconds.

Shaian Vandenburg of Monroe College ran the 60m dash in a time of 7.89 seconds.

Tarique Moses of Central Arizona helped his team secure a 13th overall finish in a time of 10:51.08.

Jonel Lacey of Albany University competing at the IC4/Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Regionals contributed a 56.6 seconds split in the 4 X 400m relay to place 6th. With this, the female team was able to garner enough points to win the ECAC Title! Winning the prestigious title is a first for the University of Albany.

Adaejah Hodge competing for Berkmar High School, GA placed 3rd in the Girls’ 100m with a time of 13.35 and 2nd in the 200m with a time of 27.54. Adaejah also anchored both the 4×1 and 4×4 teams helping them to a first place finish.

Sprinter Rikkoi Brathwaite of IMG competed at a local meet in Florida and jumped a distance of 6.84m in the Long Jump.

Tarika Moses ran 11.70 seconds in the Women 100m dash to place 2nd at the Beaver Relays in Sacremento, CA.

Nelda Huggins takes top spot in 60m NJCAA Indoor Championships and makes BVI athletic history

Source: VINO

Nelda Huggins a freshman at Iowa Central College, became the first female athlete from the [British] Virgin Islands to win an individual title at any collegiate level in the USA when she won the 60M dash at the NJCAA Indoor Championships with a time of 7.31. Photo: Provided

Nelda Huggins, a freshman at Iowa Central College, became the first female athlete from the [British] Virgin Islands to win an individual title at any collegiate level in the USA when she won the 60M dash at the NJCAA Indoor Championships with a time of 7.31. Photo: Provided

At the National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor Championships held at Pittsburg State University in Kansas on Saturday March 4, 2017, Nelda Huggins, a freshman at Iowa Central College, became the first female athlete from the [British] Virgin Islands to win an individual title at any collegiate level in the USA ((Chantel Malone had achieved the distinction as a member of the University of Texas’ 3x400m relay team at the NCAA Division I championships).

Huggins, who had gone into the Championships as one of the medal favourites in the 60 metre dash following an outstanding first indoor season, won her heat in 7.32 seconds and returned to win the final in 7.31 seconds, a time bettered only by Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott, a former World Indoor bronze medalist, in the event.

Huggins did not stop there as she finished second to Tobagonian Zakiya Denoon of Monroe College, a former Carifta Games rival in the 200 metre dash in a time of 23.79 seconds.

“All I had to do was to execute, I did everything that my coach taught me to do,” explained Nelda. “I reflected that I had come all the way from a small country to the United States to take the 60m National Junior College Athletic Association Indoor 60m Championships. I felt great about the win!”

Nelda added “I want to thank my local coach Winston Potter, and Coach Omar Jones for motivating me, my friends and my fan base.”

Huggins first caught the public’s eye when she won the 100m at the C.U.T. Championships held in Road Town in 2008, the only medal won by the home team. In 2011, as a 14-year-old, she won her first Carifta Games medal with silver in the 100m.

In the ensuing years, up to and including 2014 she never failed to win a medal at Carifta or the C.X.C. Junior Championships and on the global level she reached the 200m semi-finals at both the World Youth and World Junior Championships.

A finalist in the 200m at the Youth Olympics in 2014, she also ran the 200m leg for the national Youth team that won silver in the medley relay in 2013, alongside Taylor Hill(100m), Jonel Lacey(300m) and Tarika W. Moses(400m). Lakeisha Warner played a part in the preliminaries.

Huggins holds the national junior records in the 100 and 200 metres as well as the sprint relay. She has been one of the heaviest point scores in the history of the Elmore Stoutt High School and in the 2015-16 academic year, which she spent at St Jago High School in Jamaica. She finished second in the 100m in what many consider to be the world’s toughest high school competition.

BVI athletes overseas secure more PBs and Podium Finishes

In day 1 of the GLIAC Championships University of Findlay Junior, Tynelle Gumbs won the weight throw and set a new UF record. Photo: Findlay Oilers

In day 1 of the GLIAC Championships University of Findlay Junior, Tynelle Gumbs won the weight throw and set a new UF record. Photo: Findlay Oilers

BVI Athletes competing overseas over the weekend of February 24- 26 performed well to secure podium finishes and personal bests.

Continuing in their streak of fine results while at Findlay University, competing at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC )Indoor Track and Field Championships Tynelle Gumbs threw her longest throw of 21.45m (70’4.25″). The throw was an NCAA automatic qualifier for the National Championship meet and it also broke the school record of 69’11.50″, which she set earlier this season. The GLIAC Champion currently ranks 3rd in Division II.

Her twin sister, Trevia also medaled in the women’s weight throw with a 3rd place finish. Her furthest distance measured 19.09m (62’7.50″), which meets the NCAA provisional mark. Gumbs currently ranks 7th in Division II competition.

BVI Hurdler Lakeisa “Mimi” Warner of Clemson secured her first Atlantic Coast Conference medal in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) aiding Clemson to a second place finish with a time of 11:02.68 seconds. Warner ran her 800m leg of the DMR splitting a blistering 2:05 seconds. Clemson’s time qualified the DMR to compete at the NCAA Nationals in Oregon in two weeks. Ms. Warner got a PB of 2:07 in the 800m for 2nd place in her heat and advance to the finals with a time of 2:09.

Jonel Lacey of Albany University placed 5th in the 400m with a time of 56.67 and helped her team place second in the 4 x 400m with a time of 3:47.79 at the American East Conference Indoor Championships in Boston.

Sprinter Rikkoi Brathwaite competed in various track events at the Lake Brantley Invitational in Tampa, Fl., results as follows:
• 1st place with a time of 10.77 seconds out of 48 competitors in the 100m
• 1st place with new PB of 21.77 seconds in the 200m out of 47 competitors
• Rikkoi’s IMG Relay Team secured 2nd place in the 4 X 100m

Tarique Moses secured a third place finish in the 600m at Mesa Arizona with a time of 1:24.

 

Britney Peters sets new National Record in Javelin Throw

By BVI Athletics Association

Britney Peters first female athlete from the BVI to throw beyond 42m in the Javelin thrown during the Johnny Hassan Relays on February 25, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

Britney Peters becomes the first BVI female athlete to throw beyond 42m in the Javelin. Thrown during the Johnny Hassan Relays on February 25, 2017. Photo: BVIAA

The British Virgin Islands Athletics Association (BVIAA) results at the Johnny Hassan Relays over the weekend saw Britney Peters establishing a new National Record in the Javelin Throw with a heave of 42.08m (138’-11/16”) breaking her previous National record. This puts Ms. Peters as the first female athlete from the BVI to throw beyond 42m in the Javelin.

Personal bests were recorded for:
Adriano Gumbs – 48.96s in the 400m males
Joshua Hill – 49.41 in 400m males
Tashira Edwards – 57.21 in 400m female
Shaniyah Caul – 57.28 in 400m females

Download the complete results of the Johnny Hassan Relays.

The next meet will be the BVIAA Junior Championships on March 10th & 11th, 2017. Click to see the schedule.

New Personal Bests and Titles for BVI athletes abroad

By BVI Athletics Association

Trevia Gumbs named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Field Athlete of the Week after a personal-best and auto qualifier for the Nationals at the Findlay Meet For Everyone on Feb 17. Photo: University of Findlay

Trevia Gumbs named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Field Athlete of the Week after a personal-best and auto qualifier for the Nationals at the Findlay Meet For Everyone on Feb 17. Photo: University of Findlay

Shaian Vandenburg established a new PB in her 60m heat with a time of 7.78 at the Artie O’Connor Invitational, N.Y.

Lakeisa “Mimi” Warner established a new PB in the indoor 200m with a time of 24.74 seconds at Clemson. Warner’s previous best indoor was 25.34 while her best outdoors is 25.23.

Nelda Huggins established a new PB and a new record in her 60m heat with a time of 7.45 seconds breaking her previous PB record of 7.46 seconds and a meet record of 7.53 seconds at the Buena Vista University in IOWA. Later that day, Nelda Huggins won the Buena Vista University 60m equaling her previous PB with a time of 7.46 seconds.

Competing at the University of Findlay, Tynelle and Trevia recorded a 1st and 2nd place in the weight throw with a heave of 19.99m and 19.48 respectively. Trevia’s throw of 19.48m is a new PB and allowed her to secure an automatic qualifier for the Nationals. Trevia was named Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Field Athlete of the Week for her achievements.

Shaquoy Stephens ran 6.78 seconds in the 60m dash at the Steve Miller Opener in Manhattan Kansas

Tarika Moses won both the 100m & 200m at Fresno Pacific with times of 12.11 and 24.57 seconds respectively

New National Records set by VI athletes

Source: VINO

St Augustine University senior Khari Herbert Jr won the 400 metre dash in 47.49 seconds at the CIAA Conference Championships held in Lynchburg, Virginia. Photo: MileSplit BVI/File

St Augustine University senior Khari Herbert Jr won the 400 metre dash in 47.49 seconds at the CIAA Conference Championships held in Lynchburg, Virginia. Photo: MileSplit BVI/File

The Virgin Islands’ top athletic prospects continue to enjoy improvement and success overseas, with four new National Indoor Athletics Records set during the period spanning February 10-13, 2017.

At the ISTAF meet in Germany on February 10, 2017, Chantel E. Malone placed 4th in the long jump, extending her National Best by 2 cm to 6.67m, finishing behind Olympic bronze Medalist Ivana Spanovic of Belarus and two German internationals. Malone’s mark also places her 9th in the early season rankings.

In Boston, Tynelle Gumbs, now representing the University of Fundlay (Ohio) continued to impress, winning the weight throw with a stellar 21.32m, third best this year among Division II throwers and twentieth in the USA.

She also continued to improve in the shot put, propelling the iron ball out to 13.97m after never having thrown as far as 13 metres prior to this season.

Clemson University freshman Lakeisha”Mimi” Warner, after coming close on two prior occasions, finally secured the national record for 800m, finishing 4th at a home meet in 2:09.37, knocking over three seconds off her indoor best and moving into the top 10 all-time OECS two-lappers (all conditions), ironically dropping clubmate Tarika ‘Tinkerbell’ Moses one spot to 11th.

The final new national record went to Khari Herbert Jr at the CIAA Conference Championships held in Lynchburg, Virginia, as the St Augustine University senior won the 400 metre dash in 47.49 seconds and also finished second in the 200 in a personal best (indoor or outdoor ) time, clocking 21.57 as St Augustine’ took the team title in commanding fashion.

Other good weekend performances came from Tahesia G. Harrigan-Scott, who finished third in a photo finish with Jamaica’s Jura Levy (7.32) and Audra Segree (7.33), a time also recorded by the Virgin Islands veteran in the 60 metres.

Finally, Iowa Central College freshman Nelda Huggins, who won the 60 metres in a personal best of 7.46 seconds, stamping her name as one to watch at the Lunior College Championships.