Warner, Fahie Advance To World Jr Championships Semifinals

July 20, 2016 by
Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

British Virgin Islands 400m Hurdler Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner and sprinter L’T’Sha “Bella” Fahie, advanced to today’s semifinals of their respective events in the XVI IAAF World Jr. Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland on Wednesday.

Carifta Games silver medalist Warner, ran “a safe race” over the barriers finishing in one minute 00.93 seconds to automatically advance and has drawn lane two in the second semifinal today.

“After I started, I hit the first hurdle with the wrong leg and from there, I chipped and hurdled with the wrong leg for the whole race,” Warner pointed out. “After that, I was trying to come in the top four. It wasn’t a hard race and I wasn’t really tired at the end. I just tried to make sure I positioned myself so I could advance. I was trying to fix what I messed up because I have to run even faster, if I want to make it to the finals.”

Warner said she’ll adjust her blocks setting so that she can attack the hurdle and lead with her preferred leg.

Fahie, a 2015 IAAAF World Youth Championships semifinalist, grabbed one of the six fastest losers spots to reach the 100m semis, after running 11.78 seconds just .01 off the 11.77 personal best she ran in the Invitational segment of the 2nd OECS Championships on July 2.

“Warming up, I was very confident in myself, trusted my coach and my training and pictured the race in my head,” said Fahie who will run from lane two in the third heat of the semifinals today. “I was nervous going to the call room but as I hugged my teammate Tarika (Moses) all the nerves went out the door. When I got on the line, I told myself that I’d been working long and hard to get kicked out of the first round, so go out and do your thing.”  Nelda Huggins placed fourth in her 100m heat in 11.87 seconds and the US Virgin Islands’ Nia Jack, was seventh in the same heat in 12.33.

The BVI’s Kyron McMaster will contest the 400m Hurdles today. He will run from lane six in the third of seven heats of the event.

Action began on Tuesday, when the USVI’s Mia Dorsey finished sixth in the first of five 400m heats. She had a time of 55.21 seconds. The BVI’s Tarika “Tinkerbbell” Moses, competing in heat five, placed fifth in her section in 55.04. Neither advanced to the semis.

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Jamaica win CUT Games; VI place 6th overall

July 19, 2016 by
Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

By VINO

The 16th Biannual Caribbean Union of Teachers Track and Field Championship concluded on Saturday July 16, 2016, on the AO Shirley Recreation Grounds with Jamaica retaining their title in dramatic fashion.

After two days and 61 events, both Jamaica and Barbados had a total of 498 points and it all came down to the final race, the 4 x 100m Under 15 Boys relay, which was won by the defending champs in a time of 43.35 seconds. Barbados came home second in 43.71.

Overall, Jamaica won 25 Golds, 9 Silver and 11 Bronze to finish with 45 in total, whilst the Barbadians actually won 55, but less Gold.

VI finish 6th

The Virgin Islands (VI) ended the Championships with 2 Golds, from Day One, 1Silver and 6 Bronze medals to place 7th in the medal table and 6th overall.

The Victrix was Joella Lloyd from Antigua and the Victor Malachi Harris from Barbados.

Individually, Ariyah Smith picked up the Bronze for the VI in the U13 Girls 200m in a time of 27.57, behind Aaliyah Agard from Barbados (26.91) and Brianna Lyston from Jamaica (24.99).

J’Hkoi Smith also grabbed a Bronze in the U15 Javelin with a distance of 31.21m and there was a further Bronze in the U13 Girls 4 x 100m. The team of Jahtiva Williams, Shakeaja Dore, Akeda McMaster and Ariyah Smith finished in a time of 51.63 behind Barbados and Gold Medal winners Jamaica.

On Day One, which was highlighted by Gold for Xiamara Malone in the High Jump and the U13 Girls Sprint Medley, there were Bronze Medals for Tamri Thomas, Tashira Edwards (Girls U15 400m) and Silver for Sean Samuel in the U11 Cricket Ball Throw (49.44m).

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Henry Wins NACAC U23 Championships Discus, Shot Put Bronze Medals

July 19, 2016 by
Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador-British Virgin Islands strongman Eldred Henry used his experience from missing the podium two years ago in Canada, to land Discus Throw and Shot Put bronze medals, during the IX NACAC U23 Championships that wrapped up Sunday in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Henry’s medals capped of a stellar meet for the BVI as five of seven athletes advanced to finals.

On Friday, Henry opened his series with a 52.85m throw then recorded a season’s best 56.45m on his second attempt to secure the bronze, becoming the territory’s first to win a medal in a field event. His medal was the first since sprinter Dion Crabbe won two medals in 2000.

“To be honest, I didn’t do as well as I wanted to in the Discus,” said Henry who was fourth two years ago in Kamloops, Canada. “I had a foul that would have put me in the lead, but, I was content with keeping in the ring. The difference between last time and this time is more experience, more exposure. It always feels good to win a medal but, it wasn’t the medal that I wanted. At the end of the day, I have a medal and I’m thankful for it.”

On Sunday, he added bronze in the Shot Put with a throw of 19.11m after placing fifth in 2014 and matched Crabbe’s two bronze medals haul 16 years ago.

“Physically I was ready, just had a little technical flaw with the finish, getting my left foot around more aggressively, so it didn’t result in the pop I needed to get the extra distance,” Henry explained. “After the 19.11, I was looking to go from there and kick it up a notch and probably surpass the 20m mark because I was feeling it, like it was there, but technically, I couldn’t get the finish to result in a big throw.”

Henry said he was better physically prepared that last time as he had a long season and the meet was at the end.

“This season, I had more time to plan out the meets I was going to and have a lot more left in the tank and still have more left for the Rio Olympics,” he said.

Tynelle Gumbs finished fifth in the Hammer Throw with a best heave of 53.80m while twin sister Trevia’s throw of 46.76m, was good for eight place.

“My first four throws, the turn was good but there was no speed,” Tynelle noted. “On my fifth throw, my coach Omar (Jones) told me to go at it and be quick. I was literally grating my teeth and I hit 53 and that was my best throw.”

Trevia said she had bad throws and started to over think. “I have to do a lot of mental preparation before my next big competition,” she said. “It was a good experience competing against people who were older and better than us. This will give us good experience for the next time.”

Trevia was placed seventh in the Shot Put with a heave of 13.53m.

Taylor Hill advanced to the 100m finals after running 12.09 seconds and was seventh in the final in 12.04.

Khari Herbert was also seventh in the 400m after running a season’s best 46.55 seconds. He advanced with a time of 46.84.

Shaquoy Stephens turned in a non advancing time of 10.95 seconds to finish sixth in the 100m prelims. He finished fifth in the 200m semis in 22.12 seconds but didn’t advance. Jonel Lacey missed the last qualifying spot in the 400m after running 55.62 seconds.

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BVI to host 2016 Caribbean Union of Teachers Track and Field Championships

July 12, 2016 by
Under 11 Squad. Photo: provided.

Under 11 Squad. Photo: provided.

The British Virgin Islands Teachers Union will be hosting the 2016 Caribbean Union of Teachers bi-annual Track and Field Championships from July 15th to 16th, 2016 on the A.O. Shirley Ground.

The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) Games are a series of events, expected to bring together approximately seven hundred (700) of the best athletes between the ages of 8-15, along with coaches, from twenty three (23) countries in the region, in the spirit of Caribbean unity and friendly competition.

The full squad representing the Territory:

U9 – Tamri Thomas, Jayla Winter, Shrya Stoutt, Charnecia Pinnock, Tiondre Frett, Sterling Stoutt, Jaheem Leonard-Joseph, Mario Carter.

U11 – Asia McMaster, Chindima Emelandu, Jah’Kyla Morton, Kassidy Penn, Kijuanna Penn, Kaleem Lettsome, Andeam Maduro, Delano Hodge, Keshawn Martin, Sean Sammuel.

U13 – Jahtiva Williams, Ariyah Smith, Akeela McMaster, Shakeaja Dore, Kaelyaah Liburd, Khyber Dawson, Kyron Walwyn, Caryliek Benjamin, Sha’el LAVACIA, Stepehen Emmanuel.

U15 –Zara Brown, Xiomora Malone, Tashira Edwards, Alisha Hayde, Sarah Bridgewater, Malaki Smith, Malik John, Kyle Leader, Kaleem Croal, J’hkoi Smith, Denron Glasgow.

The Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) is an organisation devoted to unity and co-operation between both the youth and teachers of the Caribbean. The CUT Games are held with the intent of promoting this message and bringing together athletes coaches in the spirit of friendly competition.

The 16th Biennial Caribbean Teachers Union Students’ Track & Field Championship is open to the following CUT member/affiliate countries: Anguilla (AIA) Antigua & Barbuda (ANT) Haiti (HAI) Bahamas (BAH) Jamaica (JAM) Barbados (BAR) Martinique (MRT) Belize (BIZ) Montserrat (MNT) Bermuda (BER) Nevis (NEV) British Virgin Islands (BVI) Host St. Croix (STX) Cayman Islands (CAY) St. Kitts (SKN) Dominica (DMA) St. Lucia (LCA) Grenada (GRN) St. Maarten (SXM) Guadeloupe (GDL) St. Vincent & the Grenadines (VIN) Guyana (GUY) Trinidad & Tobago (TRI).

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BVI Wins 2nd OECS Track & Field Championships As More Records Fall

July 5, 2016 by
St. Lucia's Marbeq Edgar, left, won the Joseph "Reds" Perriera Male Athlete of the Meet Award after winning the 1500m in 3:53.90 and the 800m in 1:50.22, both marks are Championships Records. PHOTO: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

PHOTO: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

On the strength of its women’s team, hosts British Virgin Islands landed the 2nd OECS Track and Field Championships on Sunday night in a close battle with St. Kitts-Nevis and Grenada at the A. O. Shirley Grounds.

The BVI amassed 183 points to claim the title. St. Kitts-Nevis edged Grenada by a point for second place-176-175. The BVI was also the top team in the Women’s Division with 129 points, followed by Grenada with 81 and St. Lucia who earned 58. St. Kitts-Nevis garnered 139 points for the Men’s Division top honors. Grenada followed with 94 and St. Vincent and the Grenadines gained 84 for third place.

In all, over the two days of competition, 22 Championships Records and 19 All Comers Records were established. The BVI’s Tahesia Harrigan-Scott capped off a sprint double when she took down teammate Karene King’s 200m mark of 23.76 seconds from 2014, with her 23.30 run.

In the Men’s equivalent, after false starting in the 100m where he was favored to win, St. Kitts-Nevis’ Antoine Adams dropped a 20.38 seconds time on the board in the 200m, to shatter his countryman B.J. Lawrence’s 20.59 mark from 2014. Adams’ time was also an All Comers Record eclipsing Jamaica’s Jermaine Brown’s two-year old 20.46 seconds mark.

Eric Alejandro of non OECS member Puerto Rico, met his goal of booking his ticket to the Rio Olympic Games in the 400m Hurdles, when he smashed the All Comers Record of 51.85 seconds, with his 49.16 time. The BVI’s Kyron Master who finished second, established the Championships Record of 51.02.

Marbeq Edgar engaged in an enthralling 1500m battle with St. Vincent and the Grenadine’s Delhonni Nicol-Samuel who was seeking to collect a second title after winning the 5000m on Saturday night. When St. Kitts-Nevis’ Masai Jeffers sought to take control on the final lap, Edgar surged and went on to victory and successfully defend his title. He improved his time of 3 minutes, 56.69 seconds from 2014, to 3:53.90. The time erased the BVI’s Greg Rhymer’s 20-year old 3:57.35 as the new All Comers Record.

The Trinidad and Tobago Women’s 4x400m Relay team entered the competition seeking to qualify for Rio and got a fight from a BVI foursome for the first three legs before the baton was dropped by the BVI anchor leg who had to retrieve it. The Trini’s went on to demolish the 20 year old All Comers Record of 3 minutes 45.12 second established by St. Kitts-Nevis, after stopping the clock at 3:33.93, but was off the mark needed for Rio.

The BVI quartet of Tarika Moses, Ashley Kelly, Lakeisha Warner and L’T’Sha Fahie, became the territory’s second team to go under 3:40.00, with their 3:39.74 time, for a new Championships Record after demolishing the 3:57.77 mark established by St. Kitts-Nevis on home sold two years ago.

The final record on the track came when St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Brandon Valentine-Parris brought his team from the back and ran down Grenada’s Junior Charles in the last 50m, to break the meet and All Comers Records, with a 3 minutes 09.41 seconds time.

Five records were established in field events. In the best High Jump field ever assembled in the BVI with three jumpers who had jumped over 1.90m, St. Lucia’s Levern Spencer cleared the bar at 1.90m for an All Comers Record, shattering the 1.65m mark that was set by three BVI athletes.

Her teammate Albert Reynolds demolished Grenadian Emron Gibbs’ 69.40m Championships Javelin Throw Record and the 20-year old BVI All Comers Record held by another Grenadian Trevor Modeste, who threw 64.05m, with his 77.23m winner.

Carifta Games Women’s Javelin Throw champion Candisha Scott of Grenada, shattered Rochelle Ehtienne’ 36.56 meet record with a heave of 50.35m also a BVI All Comers Record.

Dominica’s Dillon Simon extended his Shot Put meet record from 18.18m to 18.85, also an All Comers mark that wiped out Grenada’s Paul Phillips’ 15.61 effort that had been on the books since 2000.

The BVI’s Chantel Malone leapt 6.38m in the Long Jump to surpass Antigua and Barbuda’s Jenita Lewis’ 6.22 meet record from 2014.

Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal, won the inaugural Veda Bruno-Victor Female Athlete of the Meet award, after winning the 800m, 1500m, 3000m then helping her 4x400m Relay to second place. Victor-Bruno was on hand to present the award.

St. Lucia’s Marbeq Edgar was the recipient of the Joseph “Reds” Perreira  Male Athlete of the Meet Award, after winning both the 800m and 3000m.

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

July 5, 2016 by
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.

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Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago Relays Eyeing Rio in 2nd OECS Championships

June 30, 2016 by
Antigua & Barbuda's Chavaughn Walsh passes to Daniel "Bagga" Bailey. PHOTO: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Antigua & Barbuda’s Chavaughn Walsh passes to Daniel “Bagga” Bailey. PHOTO: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Assocation

With the addition of Trinidad and Tobago’s Women’s 4 x 400m Relay added to the 2nd OECS Championships line up as they seek to qualify for Rio, BVI Athletics Association officials are now expecting 185 visiting athletes and officials for the 2 day competition on Saturday and Sunday.

With the July 11 window for qualifying for the Olympic Games in Rio closing, the competition has become a last chance qualifier for Rio, with a mouth watering display of talent at the A. O. Shirley Grounds.

In all, all 9 OECS Countries-Anguilla, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada and hosts BVI-will be joined by non OECS Members, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago, making it the meet the biggest to ever be staged in the BVI.

On a program already filled with hot action, Saturday’s 4x100m Relays are sure to be barn burners when Rio qualifiers Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis and Barbados men line up on Big Blue, with all three teams having run under 38.68 seconds.

St. Kitts-Nevis which is among the eight teams automatically qualified for Rio by virtue of a finals berth in the IAAF World Relays last year, will bring their 38.76 average from two races into the completion. Antigua and Barbuda already assured a spot in Rio with their 38.07 average is ranked as the #10 team heading into Rio.

Barbados at #17 with their 38.60 average will need a time of 38.59 seconds to bump Cuba from the #16 sport and book their ticket to Rio.

Saturday’s Women’s 4 x 100m Relay will be no less appealing with Puerto Rico, St. Kitts-Nevis and the BVI as the headliners. Puerto Rico with their 43.53 seconds average is the #16 team in the rankings and will be seeking to hold on to that sport for Rio. The BVI who will bring a 44.05 seconds time into the field will be joined by OECS record holders St. Kitts-Nevis.

With Trinidad and Tobago needing a time of 3 minutes 28.63 seconds to qualify, the Women’s 4 x 400m on Sunday evening will definitely see the 20-year old All Comers Record record of 3:45.12 established by a St. Kitts-Nevis quartet going out the window.

The Trini’s will be looking to move from #20 to #16 for a spot in Rio and comes into the competition with their 3:32.25 average from a year ago. They will certainly get competition from Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and hosts BVI and if Puerto Rico enters, it makes it another track burner.

Opening ceremonies are set for 3 p.m. on Saturday with action kicking off a 4 p.m. and at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and the limited VIP red seats for $15.

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Strong Fields Set To Compete In 2nd OECS Championships

June 23, 2016 by
Grenada's Lindon Victor, 2016 NCAA Division I Decathlon champion has qualified for Rio & is ranked #8 on the IAAF list

Grenada’s Lindon Victor, 2016 NCAA Division I Decathlon champion

By BVI Athletics Association

Organizers are expecting 150 visiting athletes and officials for the 2nd OECS Track and Field Championships scheduled for Tortola on July 2-3, at the A. O. Shirley Grounds, with non OECS member Puerto Rico’s Women’s 4x100m Relay team seeking to solidify their #16 ranking for the Rio Olympic Games.

The Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, have also shown interest, with the Bahamas looking at its Women and Men’s 4x100m and Women’s 4x400m and Trinidad and Tobago’s Women’s 4x400m Relay squad.

The meet, which will be the final opportunity to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games for the region’s athletes will also be a tune up for the July 15-17 NACAC U23 Championships in El Salvador and the IAAF World Jr. Championships in Poland, will also showcase more than a dozen Olympic Games qualifiers.

Teams from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts-Nevis, Montserrat, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and host BVI, will be battling for the overall team title. There will also be a women and men’s title at stake.

Grenada will feature 2016 NCAA Decathlon Champion Lindon Victor along with his brother Kurt Felix-the 2012 NCAA Decathlon champion-competing in individual events. Both have qualified for Rio with Victor ranked at No. 8 with 8446 points and Felix at No. 13 with 8302. Their lineup also included Carifta Games Javelin Throw Record holder Anderson Peters-who broke 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott’s meet record with a heave of 78.28m on his home soil in March. Female equivalent Candesha Scott who threw the spear 51.13m, will be trying to improve her mark.

The women’s High Jump will feature the St. Lucian pair of Jeanelle Schepper and Levern Spencer-both currently ranked among the top 15 jumpers in the world-with marks of 1.96 and 1.95m respectively. They will be joined by Antigua and Barbuda’s Priscilla Frederick who had a 1.91m best.

The meet’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete will walk off with the Joseph “Reds” Perreira Award, named in honor to the founder of the OECS Championships while the Female Athlete of the Meet will take home the Veda Bruno-Victor award, in honor of the longtime regional administrator.

St. Kitts-Nevis 10.03/20.41 Olympic sprinter Antoine Adams, and his 4x100m Rio bound relay teammates, will lead their squad that also includes OECS Record holder Tameka who has a 23.05 seconds 200m season’s best. Adams will find Antigua and Barbuda’s Daniel Bailey with a 10.09 season best and Montserrat’s Julius Morris, an NCAA 200m semifinalist with a 20.52 best this season will set up the sprinting fire works.

Dominica’s Dillon Simon and the BVI’s Eldred Henry will do tango in the Shot Put, where the strong men have seasons bests of 19.18m and 19.39m respectively.

Tahesia Harrigan-Scott-coming off a season’s best of 23.24 seconds in the 200m victory in Belgium and 11.39 seconds in the 100m and Ashley Kelly who has a 23.17 seconds 200m time this season, will lead the BVI sprint corps. Chantel Malone will lead the female field events charge in the Long Jump, after a 6.48m victory in California last weekend and has a 6.66m seasons best.

Harrigan-Scott, Kelly, Malone and Karene King, will seek to improve on their 44.05 seconds time against the Puerto Rican quartet of Beatrice Cruz, Genoiska Cancel Celiangely Morales and Carol Rodriguez, will seek to match their 43.55 seconds run in Rio last month.

Many of the OECS Championships Meet Records are expected to be destroyed as well as several BVI All Comers Records.

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Farley Upsets Stoby In Ceres Juices 10k Series Opener

June 14, 2016 by

By BVI Athletics Association

Julius Farley breaks the tape in winning the Ceres Juices 10K Series opener. PHOTO: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Julius Farley breaks the tape in winning the Ceres Juices 10K Series opener. Photo: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

When he entered the A. O. Shirley Grounds after a see saw battle through the streets of Road Town, Julius Farley kept looking back, just incase he had to dig a little deeper. It wasn’t necessary as he had created enough separation between himself and challenger Reuben Stoby, to break the tape in Saturday’s Ceres Juices 10K Series Opener in 39 minutes and 24 seconds-much to his surprise-for his first victory of the season over his rival, who had been dominating the road racing scene.

“I just tried to run my race and ended up squeezing out a victory so I just want to give thanks to the creator for giving me the strength and the endurance that I could have been able to push on through,” said Farley who began challenging Stoby one mile into the 6.2 miles race. “I saw that he made several attempts (to break away) but I just managed to pick it up when I saw him coming, so I was able to make it through.”

Stoby congratulated Farley on running a steady race. “He ran a very good race and was steady in his pace and 39, I think this is the first time anyone has run under 40 on this course-it’s a tough course bearing in mind the heat at well,” said Stoby who finished in 39:38. “I have to give it to him. He came out very strong today. I tried to keep up hoping to hold on to the finish waiting to see what I had in the legs for a kick, but it didn’t happen. I wasn’t feeling so strong so I allowed him to set the pace and he went a little faster than I anticipated, so congratulations to Julius.”

Maria Mays won the women’s division in 45:41. “It’s the first 10K race I’ve done in ages so I’m delighted to be running it again and even more delighted to have won it,” Mays said. “I was really pleased with the Virgin Gorda 10Ks -I won both of those- and the Half Marathon, so I know that I was on reasonable form. But, you just never know.”

Final results
Men:
1. Julius Farley, 39 minutes and 24 seconds.  2. Reuben Stoby, 39:38. 3. Guy Williamson, 43:33.  4. Adrian Dale, 46:46.  5. Zebalon Mclean, 47:18.  6. Dan Mitchell, 47:35.  7. Guyp Dubois, 48:39.  8. Shane Donovan, 49:41.  9. Owen Walker, 51:41. 10. Charles Kerins, 52:33. 11. Aaron Gardner, 52:52.  12. Dennis Versoza, 53:55. 13. Simen Malmin, 54:29. 14. James Drury, 54:32.  15. William Hare, 55:48.  16. Claudius Rhymer, 56:12.  17. Gary Salter,57:28. 18. Sergio Dantas, 58:06. 19. Ruairi Bourke, 59:44. 20. Gabriel Obregon, 1:00:58.  21. Dennis Delacruz, 1:01:20.  22. Laurent Keeble-Buckle, 1:03:05. 23. Luke Plummer, 1:04:22.  24. Howard Moore, 1:07:26. 25. Nik Fox, 1:11:39.  26. Jim Cullimore, 1:16:45.

Women:
1. Maria Mays, 45:41.2.  Melissa Brunner, 47:47.  3. Claudia Ferrari, 52:24.  4. Rosmond  Johnson 52.47.  5.  Melisande Rowe, 53:15. 6. Lauren Julien, 55:34. 7. Saungie Liburd, 56:35.  8. Cayley Smit, 58:27. 9. Philomena Robertson, 59:18. 10. Debbie Bell, 59:57. 11. Karrina Stead, 1:03:17. 12. Vanessa King, 1:03:45. 13. Nedy Ador Dionicio, 1:10:52. 14. Claire Santillan, 1:14:30. 15. Simpa Ganadillo, 1:16:00. 16. Roslyn Gilbert.

Power Walkers: 1.= Sophie Bennett, Peter Reichenstein. 1:43:00. 3.= Linda Li, Sylvie Hune, Guy Hune, 1:43:40. 2-Mile Assault Course, 1. Clair Burke, 20.00.

4-Mile Course: 1. Olwyn Barry, 40:06. 2. Brandon Menton, 40.10.  2. Barry Leon, 1:00:01.

Youth One Mile: Girls: 1. Z’Hara McLean, 12:19.  2.  Ava Ghiorse, 12:50.

Boys: 1. Eli Ghiorse, 7.00. (400m)

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CERES 10K Series to kick off June 11

June 8, 2016 by

By VINO

CERES 10K Series kicks off this Saturday June 11, 2016. Photo: Dean 'The Sportsman' Greenaway

CERES 10K Series kicks off this Saturday June 11, 2016. Photo: Dean ‘The Sportsman’ Greenaway

After more than two weeks of rest, road runners will lace up their shoes this Saturday June 11, 2016 when the CERES 10K Series kicks off.

The first race of the 5-race series will take runners on the City Circuit, a tour of Road Town.

The race will start and finish on the Mondo track of the AO Shirley Recreation Grounds.

According to race coordinator Kay Reddy, there will be a 4 mile option for those wishing to “build from their 5k success but not ready to ramp up to 10k, and a 1 mile youth option.”

Short distance runners can make a series but are not eligible for overall awards.

The races start at 6.30am prompt and Reddy is encouraging athletes to arrive early to register from 6.00am and warm up.

The defending champions of the Ceres 10K Series are Reuben J. A. Stoby and Rosmond Johnson.

The CERES 10K Series is sponsored by CERES Juices and NIAGARA WATER

The series race dates are:
June 11, 2016                 City Circuit 10k
July 2, 2016                    Beef Island Beach Bash and Summer sizzle
September 10, 2016      Carrot Bay X10k
October 8, 2016             TBD  (Trellis Bay Criterium)
November 19, 2016       Watering Hole grand finale, Half Marathon warm up

Best 3 races comprise a series and awards will be given for the top 3 male and female overall and for all series finishers.

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