BVIAA conducts IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course

By BVI Athletics Association

BVI's participants in the IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course. Photo: BVIAA/CM Farrington

BVI’s participants in the IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course. Photo: BVIAA/CM Farrington

The BVI Athletics Association (BVIAA) held its opening ceremony for an International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Level 1 Certificate Coaching Course at the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports (DYAS) conference room on Monday, December 12, 2016. The sixteen participants on the course which runs through Thursday, Dcember 22, 2016 include: Akeem Lewis, Teymahl Huggins, Owen Telemaque, Burt Dorsette, Orville McMaster, Shamica Glascow, Jennifer King, AnnaBelle Skelton-Malone, Bianca Dougan-Charles, Willis Maduro, Johnt’a Charles, Limiel Hodge, Sanya Penn, Javon Carty, Karene King, and Eustace Freeman

In her remarks, Acting Director of Department of Youth Affairs & Sports (DYAS), Mrs. Brenda Lettsome-Tye stated that the Ministry of Education and Culture under the leadership of the Hon. Myron V. Walwyn is very progressive and committed to the development of sports in the territory. Mrs. Lettsome-Tye commended the BVIAA in its efforts to encourage, develop and support opportunities for the training of coaches which is in line with the Territory’s National Sports Policy’s strategic plan. She added that “the Ministry and DYAS are very pleased to support this effort,” and she encouraged the participants to “learn as much as you can, learn the techniques and learn the skills so that in turn you can impart that to your athletes and in turn develop the standards of the level of BVI Athletics in the Territory.”

Mr. Kevin Gordon, manager of course supporter, Digicel said that he is elated to be a part of everything that the Virgin Islands does. He referred to the success of Athletics in the Caribbean with such coaches as Glen Mills and Steve Francis bringing some super star athletes to the front and that the a trend now is set in the Caribbean where you come to the Caribbean for Track and Field talents such as in sprints and long jump. Mr. Gordon ended his remarks by encouraging the participants to “Learn as much as you can learn from these 12 days of coaching; you can only get better, and Digicel would be happy to support you in any way that we possibly can going forward.”

BVI Athletics Association’s President, Mr. Steve Augustine marked this day as a memorable day for BVI Athletics as the stage is now set for the further creation of competent BVI Coaches. “The BVI Athletics Association, in tandem with the coaching principles of the IAAF, recognizes that if we are to further progress at the world stage in athletics, we must be strategic in our athlete development approach,” he said. The objective of the BVIAA is to qualify coaches involved in the training of young athletes (under 16) by providing them with the skills necessary to teach all the events of athletics. Mr. Augustine further stated that such factors as the importance of an active and dynamic warm up and cool down, healthy diet through nutrition and hydration, rest, relaxation and sleep are all key learning components that are expected from all participants to grasp and understand upon the completion of the course.

In his remarks, Mr. Angel Luis Alicea Rosario, Lecturer of IAAF, Kids Athletic Project Director in Puerto Rico provided the outline of the course set out below. Mr. Rosario as well as Mr. Augustine will be the instructors of the course during the next 12 days. There will be a practical evaluation, final evaluation and written test in order to go to the next level. Mr Rosario said “it is a great commitment and work hard during and after the course.”

Mr. Dag Samuels who chaired the opening ceremony acknowledged the past BVIAA President Mr. Dean Greenaway who was supportive of the IAAF Level 1 Certificate Coaching course initiative.

In closing remarks, Coach Dag Samuel thanked the IAAF for the assistance secured through Athletics Olympic Dividend, the utilization of the DYAS conference room and the support of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Special acknowledgements were made to Digicel and Mourant Ozannes for their contributions to the participants taking part in the 12 day Level 1 Coaching course.

IAAF CECS Level 1

IAAF CECS Level 1

16-11-11-iaaf-cecs-level-i-tt-11-2016

McMaster signs Letter of Intent with the University of Florida

By BVIAA

BVIAA President Steve Augustine, Anthony McMaster, father of Kyron McMaster and Coach Dag Samuel displaying signed letter of intent for the University of Florida. Photo: BVIAA

BVIAA President Steve Augustine, Anthony McMaster (father), Kyron McMaster and Coach Dag Samuel displaying Kyron’s signed letter of intent for the University of Florida. Photo: BVIAA

BV Islander, and the territory’s first IAAF World Jr. Championship 400m hurdle bronze medalist, Kyron McMaster signed off on a letter of intent with the University of Florida (UF) on Thursday November 16th at the A.O. Shirley Recreational Grounds. Kyron will pursue a Business Management Degree while furthering his athletic career at the University of Florida beginning August 2017.

At the brief ceremony, BVI Athletics Association’s President, Steve Augustine during his remarks mentioned Kyron’s great accomplishments as an athlete who works really hard on the track by putting in the time and effort, and most specifically his bronze medal at the IAAF World Jr Championship earlier this year in Bydgoszcz, Poland. He further commented “Kyron has the potential to make it on the world stage and we expect to see that happen along with him attaining his degree; two goes hand in hand.”

Mr. Anthony McMaster, father of Kyron expressed “He was born to run, since he started at 4, he never stopped, he stuck with it.” His signing is a great opportunity and exciting one for his son and their family. Mr. McMaster  made mention of Kyron’s coach Mr. Dag Samuel instrumental in his son’s achievement. Mr. McMaster further encouraged his son to keep focused and said, “While it is your legs that allowed you to reach this stage of your life, you must also allow your brain to do what it needs to do, education will take you through life.”

In Kyron’s remarks, he expressed how happy and excited he is to be attending the University of Florida. “I feel that Florida can get me to that level where I can become an Olympic Champion and a world record holder.” He was offered placement from approximately 7 other major Universities but felt that the University of Florida is the best option to further develop him in hurdles.

In closing remarks, Coach Dag Samuel commented on how very proud he is of his athlete Kyron for his great achievement. “It took 24 years to get an athlete to the University of Florida and I hope there will be more BVI athletes in the future,” he said.

Mr. Samuels stated that Kyron always wanted to go the University of Florida despite also visiting Clemson and LSU. Coach Samuels further commented that the staff of the University of Florida while looking at Kyron at the World Jr Championships in Poland, concluded that Kyron can be the next world record holder in the hurdles because of his rhythm and his cadence with the hurdles.

Coach Dag is confident and stated “We will have a national champion that is a world record holder in the British Virgin Islands within the next 2 to 3 years.”

Brunner, Stoby Win Blenheim Trust 5K Series Finale

Photo by Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Photo by Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

Melissa Brunner and Reuben Stoby closed the Blenheim Trust 5K Series with victories on Saturday. The race started and ended at the A. O. Shirley Grounds.

“It felt amazing and it was a personal record,” Brunner said of her 22 minutes and 10 seconds run. “The training was pretty hard all season and I think the big race in Virgin Gorda last weekend just sort of primed me up for this one. But I was quite shocked when I passed Rose (Johnson) I thought for sure she was going to be on my tail right at the end. Took a few looks back coming down the home stretch and she wasn’t there so I sprinted the last bit just to get my personal best, so I worked out. So, I’m quite pleased.”

Stoby led the field of 41 participants in 18:42 and said he wanted to run sub 17:00. “There was a strong headwind, but definitely after the first mile, I realized Virgin Gorda (Half Marathon) was still in my legs, so I just decided not to push it any harder. And then I was missing Vincent (Fournier). Maye if he was here, he would have been able to pull me through.”

Stoby said he was happy to come out on top to end a tough season where he had his wins and losses.

“It’s always good to end on a winning note and I look forward to what’s to come in the 10K Series,” he said. “It was a good race. The conditions were a bit hot and the sun was out, but I was able to push it through and win fairly easily in the end.”

Final Results: Men. 1. Reuben Stoby, 18 minutes and 42.1 seconds.  2. Julius Farley, 19:11.3.  3. Guy Williamson, 19:43.5. 4. Derek Pettigrew, 20:27.2.  5. Zebalon Mclean, 21:41.5.  6. Adrian Dale, 21:47.1. 7. Guyp Dubois, 21:58.7.  8. Ishwar Persad, 22:09.1. 9. Richard Morgan, 23:11.9.  10. Charles Kerins, 23:33.0.  11. David Pettigrew, 23:48.2. 12. Reu Rhymer, 24:02.3. 13. Viv Paverd, 24:11.7.  14. Claudius Rhymer, 24:38.6. 15. Dennis Versoza, 25:39.0. 16. Dennis Delacruz, 25:53.3. 17. Ruairi Bourke, 27:26.9. 18. Shane Donovan & family, 27:34.7. 19. Laurent Keeble-Buckle, 28:14.1. 20. Chris Conway, 30:35.9. 21. Howard Moore, 30:45.9. 22. Ravenol Santos, 34:54.4.  23. Barry Leon, 36:34.8. 24. Gabriel Obregon, 47:47.9.

Women: 1. Melissa Brunner, 22:10.0.  2. Rosmond Johnson, 22:55.1. 3. Juliane Potgieter, 23:15.2. 4. Saungie Liburd, 24:03.2. 5. Lauren Julien, 24:09.3. 6. Gillian Plaxton, 24:48.5.  7. Philomena ‘Robertson, 25:59.2.  8. Anna Kinkead, 25:59.8. 9. Kay Reddy, 26:08.1. 10. Rhiannon Jones, 26:52.3. 11. Cayley Smit, 27:44.5. 12. Natasha Ruscheinski, 29:14.3. 13. Clair Burke, 30:26.8. 14. Nedy Ador Dionicio, 31:07.1. 15. Roslyn Gilbert, 31:56.4.

Power Walkers: 1.= Shirley Liburd & Corrinne Hearne, 49:50.7

Youth 1 MILE: Boys.  1. Sammy Potgieter, 6:43.44. 2. Charlie Potgieter, 8:29. 3. Sebbie Morgan, 10.02. Girls:  1. Z’Hara McLean 10:04.

800M: 1. James Tucker, 4:11. 2. Xavier Morgan 4:14.

BVI NATIONAL 5K CHAMPIONSHIP

ALLCOMERS  MALE:  REUBEN STOBY   FEMALE: MELISSA BRUNNER

BVI NATIONAL:  MALE FIRST: ZEBALON MCLEAN, SECOND CLAUDIUS RHYMER

FEMALE FIRST: SAUNGIE LIBURD, SECOND ANNA KINKEAD

UNDER 20:      DEREK PETTIGREW

BLENHEIM TRUST 5K SERIES OVERALL

MALE CHAMPION:  REUBEN STOBY, SECOND JULIUS FARLEY, THIRD GUY WILLIAMSON

FEMALE CHAMPION: ROSMOND JOHNSON, SECOND MELISSA BRUNNER, THIRD JULIANNE POTGIETER

YOUTH 1 MILE: Sammy Potgieter, Sebbie Morgan, Charlie Potgieter, Xavier Morgan, James Tucker

MALE AGE GROUPS

Under 15:  Luka Chalwell

Under 20:  Reu Rhymer

M3039:  Guyp Dubois,  Claudius Rhymer, Gabriel Obregon, Richard Morgan, Dennis Versoza, Ravenol Santos, Shane Donovan, Teejay Torres

M4049:  Zebalon McLean, Dennis Delacruz, Martin Trott

M5059:  Adrian Dale, Howard Moore, Barry Leon

M6069:  Jim Cullimore

FEMALE AGE GROUPS

F2029:  Lauren Julien, Saungie Liburd

F3039: Julianne Potgieter, Nedy Ador Dionicio, Claire Santillan, Simpa Ganadillo

F4049: Melisande Rowe, Anna Kinkead, Philomena Robertson, Cayley Smit, Clair Burke

F5059:  Kay Reddy

Ariyah Smith Paces Youth Championships With Quadruple Victories

Photo courtesy of Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Photo courtesy of Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

In between a pre-meet shower on Friday and a threat of rain and Saturday’s end the BVI Athletics Association National Youth Championships, which also celebrated the 21st IAAF World Athletics Day, Ariyah Smith led the territory’s top U15 athletes and visiting athletes from St. Croix, with four victories.

Khybah Dawson and A’Sia McMaster pulled off trebles and nine athletes were double winners in the competition that had most of the athletes opting to represent their clubs, with St. Georges and Joyce Samuel the two schools fielding teams.

Smith’s quadruple came in the U13 Girls events with victories in the 200m in 27.64 seconds; a 27.50m Baseball Throw, a 1.25m High Jump clearance and a 4.10m flight in the Long Jump.

Khybah Dawson, after a second place finish in the U13 Boys 100m behind Kyron Walwyn’s 13.17 seconds with 13.34, went on to post his treble with a Long Jump personal best of 4.98m, then tied Sha’el Lavacia’s 1.45m clearance in the High Jump, before wrapping up his winnings with a 27.37 seconds 200m triumph.

A’Sia McMaster secured her U11 Girls triple with narrow sprint victories over Kayla Bratwaithe, 11.86-11.92 seconds in the 100m and 22.73-22.78 in the 150m. She completed her work after cutting the sand at 3.57m in the Long Jump.

Zara Brown, a 2018 Youth Olympic Games prospect, secured an U15 Girls 12.64/26.03 seconds sprint double, while her counterpart Xiomara Malone was second in both sprints in 12.85 and 26.67, before notching her own double of 1.60m in the High Jump and 4.97m in the Long Jump.

Malik Smith sprinted to 11.65 and 23.83 seconds for his U15 Boys double, while Kyle Leader cleared 5.20m in the Long Jump after a 51.30m effort in the Baseball Throw.

Jahtivyah Williams’ U13 Girls double came with triumphs in the 300m in 45.26 seconds and one minute 55.23 seconds in the 600m.

Tiondre Frett topped the U9 Boys sprints, taking the 60m in 9.38 seconds and the 150m in 23.34. Jayla Winter won the same events in the Girls division, with marks of 10.00 and 25.67 seconds respectively.

St. Croix siblings Tyrone and T’Yanna Lake, won two events respectively and grabbed top three finishes in their other events.

Tyrone won the U11 Boys Baseball Throw with a 48.60m effort along with a 1.25m leap to secure the High Jump. He was third behind Kaleem Lettsome in the 80m, which Lettsome won in 11.46 seconds to his 11.51. Lettsome completed his double with a 21.41 seconds run in the 150m, with Tyrone placing second in 21.64. Lettsome, who has never lost a sprint final over the last four years, was second in the Long Jump after cutting the sand at 3.42m. Tyrone had a 3.33m jump in fourth.

T’Yanna who also plays baseball along with her brother, won the U15 Girls Baseball Throw with a 44.44m effort and took the Shot Put with a 5.46m heave. She was third in the Long Jump after a 4.36m leap.

Territory’s Best Clashing in National Youth Championships

Photo courtesy of Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Photo courtesy of Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

The top U15 athletes across the territory have been invited to participate in Friday and Saturday’s BVI Athletics Association National Youth Championships, which will also mark the 21st IAAF World Athletics Day.

The 2-day competition will bring together the best 16 athletes in each event who competed in the 2016 Inter Primary Championships A and B Divisions based on times, as well as U15s from the Elmore Stoutt High School Inter-house Sports Day, Bregado Flax Educational Center and St. Georges among others, all of whom will meet for the first time at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds.

Session I starts at 5 p.m. on Friday and includes the Shot Put, Baseball Throw and the Long Jump among field events. Track events will include prelims of the U9 Boys and Girls 60m dash; U11 Boys and Girls 80m dash and U13 and U15 Boys and Girls 100m as well as the U13 and U15 Boys and Girls 600m and 800m timed finals. Day I concludes with finals in the short sprints.

Saturday’s competition will begin at 3:30 p.m. with the U13 and U15 Boys and Girls Baseball Throw and the U9 and U11 Boys and Girls Long Jump. The U15 Boys and Girls High Jump will start at 5 p.m. Prelims of the U9 and U11 Boys and Girls 150m and the U13 and U15 Boys and Girls 200m will kick off at 4:10 p.m.

Finals of the U13 Girls and Boys 300m and U15 Girls and Boys 400m as well as the short sprints will follow.

BVI To Host 2nd OECS Track and Field Championships

Rey O'Neal, right, former BVI Olympic Committee & BVI Athletics Association President speaks during a media briefing, as BVI Olympic Committee President Ephraim Penn & BVI Athletics Association President Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway, listens

Rey O’Neal, right, former BVI Olympic Committee & BVI Athletics Association President speaks during a media briefing, as BVI Olympic Committee President Ephraim Penn & BVI Athletics Association President Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway, listens

By BVI Athletics Association

The British Virgin Islands will host the 2nd Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Track and Field Championships, July 1-3 at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds and officials are expecting ‘top flight competition’ from the sub region’s athletes.

The BVI will host athletes and officials from Anguilla, St. Kitts-Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.

“The BVI Olympic Committee is a part of the Association of Olympic Committees of the OECS (ANOECS) and ANOECS played a key role in getting these championships started,” noted BVI Olympic Committee president Ephraim Penn, during a press briefing at the BVI Olympic Committee office. “The decision was made in 2013 when the event was held in St. Kitts, to get things moving in this direction. Our regional Olympic Committees wanted to start national championships in the OECS, so that our up and coming athletes could get exposure to top flight competition, first among themselves, then regionally and internationally. The first one they came up with, with its rich history, is the athletics championships.”

Although there was an OECS championships from 1987-1991, under the new arrangement with ANOECS, Penn noted the first championship was held in St. Kitts in 2014 and last year’s slated for BVI was cancelled because of work planned for the track. He congratulated the BVI Athletics Association for taking up the mantle after the track has been resurfaced to move forward with the championships this year.

“I know the athletes in the OECS are looking forward to it, the Olympic Committees in the OECS are looking forward to it and I’m sure the fans will be in for a great treat,” Penn stated. “These are the athletes you will see later in August competing in the Olympic Games, so you’ll get a first glance of some of the top athletes in the OECS who will be in Rio. From discussing the event with other Olympic Committees, we get a sense that they are fully supporting their Athletic Associations and they will be funding them sufficiently to be here, so we expect big crowds and top flight competition. I’m encouraging fans to come out and see track and field at a very high level and enjoy the warm up for Rio.”

Former BVI Olympic Committee president and BVI Athletics Association founding member and longest serving president Rey O’Neal, an OECS Congress member, said what was great about the previous OECS Championships, is that outside of the Carifta Games and to a much lesser extent the biannual CAC Jr. Championships, there were very few opportunities for athletes from the small islands to compete.

There were a number of athletes at the time who still wanted to compete but, were not at a level where they would go to the CAC Sr. Championships, and the OECS meet gave them a chance to develop at their own pace.

“It was possibly the best development meet that could have been made available,” he noted. “There hasn’t been a whole lot for developing athletes outside the 20 and under age group. It was good to see the OECS Championships come back on stream. We are on the right track and I think it will be an excellent meet.”

Regarding athletes in this year’s competition, O’Neal, a member of the Association of Track and Field Statisticians, said Antigua and Barbuda’s Men’s 4x100m Relay team a Pan Am Games and 2015 IAAF World Championships finalist as well as their sprinters will be here. He noted that Grenada has a formidable 4x400m relay quartet-though he’s not sure if everyone will make it-but they currently have the two fastest quarter milers in the world in Kirani James and Bralon Taplin.

The field events will be stronger than they have ever been and Grenada has a tradition for Javelin Throwers. O’Neal noted that the BVI’s Eldred Henry and Dominica’s Dillon Simon are two Shot Putters who have been throwing distances unthought of several years ago. The St. Lucian pair of High Jumpers, Laverne Spencer and Jeannelle Scheper, ranked in the top 20 in the world last year, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Priscilla Frederick, will lead a qualify field.

“On the track, the sprints are obviously going to be strong and St. Kitts-Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, figure to be the leaders. While Grenada has several top 400m runners, there are several others we expect to see here and we have a few one lappers of qualify as well, but, there’s going to be a lot of good competition,” he said. “We anticipate a number of our All Comers Records falling.”

The BVI’s Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Chantel Malone are the reigning OECS 100m and Long Jump champions O’Neal noted and that both of the territory’s female relay teams should do well, with the 4x100m team running 44.05 seconds last week in Florida.

“We really think the crowd will enjoy what they see and there will be competition at a high level,” O’Neal said.

Stoby, Mays Lead Virgin Gorda Half Marathon Tune Up

PHOTO: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

PHOTO: Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

By BVI Athletics Association

Reuben Stoby and Maria Mays led the field of 33 participants in the men and women’s divisions respectively, during the first of two Dive BVI 10K Series races on Saturday, which are a tune up for the 5th Virgin Gorda Half Marathon and 6 Mile Challenge on May 14.

Stoby ran the race over the first half of the Half Marathon course with a trek out to Nail Bay and the notorious ‘beast’ in 46 minutes and 14 seconds. Mays was timed in 51.16 in the women’s division.

“We had directional on the road so that everyone would know where to turn so that for the Half Marathon, they are on their game and knew exactly where to go,” explained race director Casey McNutt. “We had 17 people from Tortola that came over to gauge what they are going to experience in the Half. Right now, we have 72 pre registered for the Half Marathon and 6 Mile Challenge. We are leaps and bounds a little over a month out from where we were last year. We have a tremendous amount coming from the U.S. Virgin Islands with 28 preregistered so far, so it’s really nice to see them coming over.”

Saturday’s race came ahead of the upcoming early bird preregistration period that end on Friday. McNutt said the early bird cut off is where participants can register for $60 before the fee goes up to $70 from April 16. The $40 fee for the 6 Miles Challenge will increase to $50.

“We have an amazing kit for all the participants, the race bags are awesome and we’ll have a lot of great merchandise on sale at the Half Marathon Festival,” she said. “This is our fifth anniversary and we’re really excited bout it. It has gotten better every year. So we’re hoping that people take advantage of the early registration and book early.”

The next 10K will cover the last 6.2 miles of the course including taking in vistas of historic Copper Mine and the renowned Baths, on April 30.”

Final results. Men: 1. Reuben Stoby, 46:14. 2. Julius Farley, 48:51. 3. Curwin Andrews, 50:56. 4. Vincent Fournier, 51:50. 5. Alan Cundall, 53:56. 6. Ben Mays, 57:19. 7. Dennis Versoza. 1:07:25, 8. Ryan Everett, 1:08:57. 9. Luke Plummer, 1:09:44. 10. Paul Hubbard, 1:17:47. 11. Zebalon McLean, 1:22:33. 12. Tim Backlund, 1:25:24. 13. John Hudspeth, 1:34:19.

Women: 1. Maria Mays, 51:16. 2. Rosmond Johnson, 57:59. 3. Kat Brownsdon, 1:01:11. 4. Anna Gillham, 1:01:44. 5. Kay Reddy, 1:03:15. 6. Becca Knight, 1:06:19. 7. Kim Takeuchi, 1:10:18. 8. Debbie Bell, 1:10:33. 9. Sarina Hancock, 1:12:59. 10. Tiffanie Houston, 1:17:36. 11. Jude Holmes, 1:17:47. 12. Clair Burke, 1:19:01. 13. Nedy Adordionicio, 1:20:45. 14. Michelle Backlund, 1:25:25. 15. Casey McNutt, 1:33:36. 16. Tasia Veenkemp, 1:33:37. 17. Kim Hudspeth, 1:34:19. 18. Kim Beradine, 1:44:58. 19. Chrissann Nickel, 1:44:59. 20. Chris Yates, 1:49:20.

Fournier Ends Stoby’s Streak in Blenheim Trust 5K Series Opener

Photo courtesy of Dean Greenaway

Photo courtesy of Dean Greenaway

By BVI Milesplit

Virgin Gorda resident Vincent Fournier ended Reuben Stoby’s year long winning streak in local road races during Saturday’s season opening Blenheim Trust 5K Series tour stop in Road Town, breaking the eight year-old course record in the process.

Fournier controlled the pace from the start to win the circumnavigation of Road Town from the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds and return in 17 minutes, 00.91 seconds. His time eclipsed Steven Asson’s 17:09.17 from 2008. Stoby finished in a personal best of 17:07 with Tarique “Tweety” Moses third in 18:14, in the race that saw five runners under 19 minutes.

“Every time I race, I try to do my best, I set my own things, if somebody beats me, he beats me, if he doesn’t he doesn’t, that’s just how it goes,” Fournier pointed out. “Today, I wanted to do 3:30 per kilometer. I ended up doing it and I’m proud of myself. I ended up winning too, so that was a great thing.”

Stoby said Fournier pushed a good pace and he was feeling comfortable for the second mile and was right there with him. “At the end, I just couldn’t keep up, he was very consistent so it was a very good run,” Stoby explained. “About the fourth kilometer, he put on a stretch that I couldn’t cover.”

Fournier said he heard Stoby’s breathing throughout the race. “I never really knew if he was going to give a surge or not, so in the end, I was happy to see him enter (the A. O. Shirley Grounds) way behind and I was like ‘yes, I got this.'”

Stoby is now looking forward to an interesting battle in defending his Male Road Racing Athlete of the Year title.

“This certainly makes the season very interesting with Fournier in the mix now, so I’m looking forward,” Stoby stated. “The aim this year is to run 16 (minutes) in the 5K and I’ve managed 17:07, smashing my personal best, so a very interesting season ahead.”

Katrina Crumpler who missed last year’s series because of injuries, returned and wiped out Claire-Louise Whiley’s women’s mark of 22.45 from 2011, with a time of 20:11.83.

“It was really fast and I think the conditions were really good, nice and cool, a little bit of wind,” she noted. “The first mile was too fast for me. I was trying to keep up with the boys and did about 6:20 which was really quick, so I backed off a bit over the second mile because of the hill and picked it up again.”

Final Results: Men1. Vincent Fournier, 17 minutes 00.91 seconds, (New course record. Old record, Stephen Asson 17:09.17, March 14, 2008.)  2. Reuben Stoby, 17:07.  3. Tarique Moses, 18:14.  4. Julius Farley, 18:32.  5. Guy Williamson, 18:52.  6. Michael Killourhy, 19:28.  7. Emrol Amsterdam, 19:57.  8. Stephen Asson, 20:05.  9. Zebalon McLean, 20:11.  10. Simon Cook, 20:49.  11. Simon Cross, 21:14.  12. Guyp Dubois, 21:27.  13. Adrian Dale, 21:41.  14. Ishwar Persad, 21:49.  15. Daniel Mitchell, 22:02.  16. Charles Kerins, 22:23.  17. Martin Trott, 23:02.  18. Lovat Carnally, 23:19.  19. Ravindra Sukhu, 23:20.  20. Dennis Delacruz, 28:40.  21. Howard Moore, 28:54.  22. Ravenal Santos, 31:44.  23. William Kinkead, 33:28.  24. Barry Leon, 34:16.

Women: 1. Katrina Crumpler, 20:11.83 (New course record. Old record, Claire-Louise Whiley. 22 minutes and 45.41 seconds, 2011.).  2. Rosmond Johnson, 21:21.  3. Melissa Brunner, 22:19.  4. Amy Sweeney, 22:23.  5. Lauren Julien, 23:06.  6. NiMade Oniasih, 23:51.  7. Anna Kinkead, 24:25. 8. Chloe Harris, 24:35.  9. Melisande Rowe, 24:45.  10. Philomena Robertson, 25:23.  11. Brodie Faragher, 26:27.  12. Sophia Addas, 26:27.  13. Clair Burke, 31:06.  14. Sara Knock, 32:16.  15. Simpa Ganadillo, 32:42.  16. Claire Santillan, 32:29.  17. Nedy Adordionicio, 33:40.  18. Jenny McConnell, 36:17.

Power Walkers: 1. Shirley Liburd, 45:45.  2.= Sophie Bennett and Linda Li, 48:06.

Three Records Fall in Boston and Arizona Indoor Competitions

By Dean Greenaway/BVIAA

Sprint Tech quartet of Tarika "Tinkerbell" Moses, left, Beyonce DeFreitas, Karene King and Lakeisha "Mimi" Warner, became the first BVI women to run a 4 x 400m Relay indoors and established a record of 3:45.34. Photo: Provided

Sprint Tech quartet of Tarika “Tinkerbell” Moses, left, Beyonce DeFreitas, Karene King and Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner, became the first BVI women to run a 4 x 400m Relay indoors and established a record of 3:45.34. Photo: Provided

Three indoor records were set during a busy weekend for BVI athletes in Boston and Arizona, marking the fourth straight week a record had been broken. Records were established for 13 straight weeks in 2015.

Competing at the Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic on Friday, Ashley Kelly kicked off the banner weekend that saw BVI athletes winning several heats of the competition and being among the Top 10 performances.

Kelly ran 23.69 seconds to win the third heat of the 200m with the competition’s second best time, ahead of Karene King’s 23.92, to claim King’s 2-year old record of 23.73, also established in Boston. Kelly was second in her 400m heat and fifth overall in 53.47 seconds, a season’s best effort. Her time is second to Chantel Malone’s indoor mark of 53.23.

To wrap up Friday’s competition, the Sprint Tech quartet of Tarika “Tinkerbell” Moses, Beyonce DeFreitas, King and Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner, became the first BVI foursome assembled for an indoor 4x400m Relay. They won the third heat, beating Boston College by two seconds as well as Morgan State and Manhattan in the process, with a time of 3 minutes 45.34 seconds. The time was the sixth best mark of the competition and established a BVI record in the process.

In other individual competition, Moses outdistanced the field to win the 500m overall with a time of one minute 11.60. Warner-who won heat 5-placed fifth overall in 1:13.43, followed in sixth by teammate Jonel Lacey’s 1:13.72 in winning the seventh heat. Judine Lacey took the 10th heat in 1:16.00.

DeFreitas was second in her 200m heat in 24.53 seconds and L’T’Sha Fahie- won her 60m section in 7.54 seconds-which stood up as the meet’s second best mark was also second in the 200m in 24.98.

In Saturday’s male competition, K’Cei Moses ran 7.09 seconds to win the ninth heat of the 60m dash, while Rikkoi Bratwaithe was eight in the second heat in 7.00. Moses won section 26 of the 200m in 22.25 seconds, while Brathwaite ran 22.36 for second in Section 15. Josh Hill won the 16th heat of the 500m with a time of 1:08.37.

Record throw in Arizona

Central Arizona College sophomore Tynelle Gumbs, upped her Weight Throw record from 17.28m to 17.84m, in her 2016 debut, to win the Paradise Valley Community College Indoor meet in Phoenix. The mark qualified her for Jr. College Indoor Nationals. Twin sister Trevia was fourth with a heave of 15.27m. Trevia finished fourth in the Shot Put with a fourth round throw of 13.81m.

Eldred Henry used a 17.56m effort to win the Shot Put and booked a ticket to the Jr. College Nationals. He was second in the Weight Throw with a 15.62m heave ensuring he’ll see action at Nationals in a second event.

Kyron McMaster made his collegiate debut for Central Arizona, with a second place finish in the 400m in 48.93 seconds. He will join Gumbs, Henry and South Plains College’s Taylor Hill who qualified in the 60m, at March 4-5 JUCO Nationals in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

St. Augustine Jr. Khari Herbert won this 200m heat in 22.49 seconds at the Camel City Invite in North Carolina. He led off the 4x400m Relay with a 48.77 seconds split, helping them to second overall with a time of 3 minutes 14.79 seconds.

In Jamaica, Nelda Huggins was second in her heat and fourth overall in the Queen’s Grace Kennedy Invitational 200m. She debuted with a time of 24.51 seconds.

At the Houston Invitational and Multis, sprinter Tahesia Harrigan-Scott ran a season’s best 7.30 seconds to finish third in the 60m dash. She ran 7.36 in the semis.

BVIAA DEVELOPMENT MEET #7 RESULTS

January 15, 2016

ALL TIMES ARE FULLY ELECTRONIC (no wind gauge)

80M

U.9 females:

  1.    Tamri Thomas 12.20; 2) Khloe Harrigan- 12.80; 3) Shyra Stoutt- 13.09; 4) Taryn Augustine-13.40; 5) Riley Brewley- 13.90; 6) Kaylee Tucker- 18.20.

U.11 females:

1) ASIA McMaster – 12.69; 2) Zaria Johnney – 12.93; 3) Nejma Robinson – 12.94; 4) SHANIQUE GLASGOW – 13.06; 5) SHARIKA HENDRICKSON – 13.67; 6) KENNIQUA GRATE – 14.61

100M

U.13 females:

1) Akeela Mcmaster – 14.26; 2) Cassidy Williams- 14.29; 3) Kaelyah Liburd – 14.36; 4) Ariyah Smith – 14.50; 5) Aniyah Findlay – 15.27; 6) D’naesia Springette – 15.32; 7) Reeiah Woodley – 15.35

U.15 FEMALES:

1) Xiomara Malone 13.40; 2) Crystal Mitchel – 14..59

U.18 FEMALES:

1) Britney Williams- 13.30; 2) Naya Penn – 13.53; 3) Kala Penn 13.55; 4)Arianna Hayde – 13.70

300M

U.13 females:

1)KAELYNN LIBURD – 46.16; 2) Kenyatta Grate – 48.43; 3) Anaya Findlay – 49.37; 4) Cassidy Williams-50.82

U.15 females:

1) Tashira Edwards – 42.06; 2) Akrisa Eristee – 42.14; 3) Alisha Hayde- 44.57

JAVLEIN THROW

FEMALES:

1kg: 1) Kiwana Emmanuel- 28.60; 2) Javlyn Frett – 28.55

Shot Put

4kg: 1) BRITNEY PETERS – 9.45

LONG JUMP

1)   Kayla Penn – 5.19m; 2) Arianna Hayde – 5.08m; 3) Xiomara Malone- 4.95m; 4) Ariyah Smith- 4.09m; 5) Kenyatta Grate- 3.67m

MALES:

80M

U.9:

1)Tiondre Frett – 13.03; 2) Latriel Williams – 13.07; 3) Ty’rique Charles 14.94

U.11

1) D’lano Hodge – 12.02; 2) Kshawn Martin – 12.40; 3) Johari Lacey- 12.49; 4) Sean Samuel – 12.52; 5) JAYQOI HOPKINS – 14.52

100M

U.13

1) Kyba Dawson – 13.98; 2) Carlyiek Benjamin – 14.01; 3) Tkhoy Stevens – 14.61; 4) Jaleel Smith – 17.48

U.15

1) Malaki Smith – 12.04; 2) WANYAE BELL – 13.54; 3)J’mari Duhaney- 14.90

U.18

1) Akeem Bradshaw – 11.44; 2) Keanu George- 12.13; 3) Josh Lynch – 12.42; 4) Osiah Vanterpool – 12.45; 5) TYRIQUE BRADSHAW – 13.06; 6) Ajaalee Malone – 13.12

1200M

U.13

1) Jaden Augustine- 5:01.56

300M

U.11

1) Kaleem Lettsome – 48.73; 2) Sean Samuel – 49.46; 3) Kshawn Martin- 51.47

U.13

1) T’khoy Stevens – 49.67; 2) AJAALI MALONE – 51.76

U.15

1) WANYEA BELLE – 44.91; 2) J’MARI DUHANEY – 46.23

400M

U.18 TO OPEN

1) Mikkel Bassue – 52.17; 2) Adriano Gumbs – 52.18; 3) Valique Graham – 52.43; 4) GEVAN SMITH – 54.60; 5) Khoy Vanterpool – 58.90; 6) Keanu George – 59.00; 7) Ryan Joseph- 1:00.55

Shot Put

5kg: 1) Djimon Gumbs – 15.58; 2) Diamate Gumbs – 12.50; 3)Deshoy Ward- 10.40M; 4) Dejahni Ward- 5.90

7.25kg: 1) KEVIN VANTERPOOL – 10.44

LONG JUMP

1)   Akeem Bradshaw – 6.46M; 2) Andre Turnbull – 5.88; 3) Malaki Smith- 5.30; 4) Vadley Sylvester-4.69; 5) Kybah Dawson- 4.32; 6) Dlano Hodge- 3.81

DISCUS Throw

1) Djimon Gumbs- 46.50; 2) Deshoy Ward- 34.45; 3) Kevin Vanterpool- 33.05; 4) Diamante Gumbs-32.40; 5)Dejahni Ward-15.70

BVI Athletes Shine at Home and Overseas

bpetersweb

Photo courtesy of Dean Greenaway

By BVI Milesplit

Virgin Gorda’s Raw Skillz Track Club member Britney Peters might be new to track and field, but not to British Virgin Islands sports.

The soon to be 19 year old is a Soccer goalie and has played on the BVI Jr. and Sr. Women National teams. She plays with the Avengers in the BVI Football Association League.

Peters took up track last April after the 2015 Soccer season ended after joining the Raw Skillz Track Club. She had her first competition in Miami last June and threw the Javelin 35.26m. It was the fifth best mark by a BVI female.

“I wanted to maintain my fitness, get stronger for soccer and I wanted to keep training so I wouldn’t fall behind because I’m to try and get out of here by September on a scholarship,” said Peters who started Soccer at 12.

During Friday night’s BVI Athletics Association Development Series meet, Peters heaved the 600g spear out to 37.39m, throwing into a strong cross wind. That mark vaulted her No. 3 on the BVI All Time List.

“I know I have the ability to do good,” she said. “I have the arm strength and my hands are good. Of all the events I’ve done-800m, 1500m, Shot Put, Long Jump, Javelin Throw-I like the Javelin best. I find it interesting.”

Harrigan-Scott lead NY winners

Sprinter Tahesia Harrigan-Scott tuned up for the Mar 17-20 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Portland, Ore., with a 60m victory in the Great Dane Classic in New York on Saturday. She had a winning time of 7.33 seconds, after running 7.39 in the prelims. Harrigan-Scott, who won the bronze at the 2008 championships, was a 2010 finalist and missed the 2012 final by .0001 has qualified for Indoor Worlds for a fourth successive time.

Karene King finished seventh in the same race in 7.62 after 7.59 in the prelims. She won her 200m heat in 24.15 seconds to finish second overall. IAAF World Youth Championships semifinalist L’T’Sha Fahie, had non advancing times of  7.65 and 25.43 in the 60 and 200m respectively.

Ashley Kelly won the 400m in 54.96 seconds. She’s coming off a 60m personal best of 7.46 seconds last week also in New York, becoming the BVI’s second best performer at the distance behind Harrigan-Scott.

Tarika “Tinker Bell” Moses won her heat in one minute 13.21 seconds and placed third overall in the 500m. Lakeisha “Mimi” Warner was fifth overall in 1:14.88, after winning her heat. Jonel Lacey also won her section with a time of 1:16.28, the 11th best mark of the competition.

400 Indoor Record for Herbert

St. Augustine Jr. Khari Herbert lowered his BVI Indoor Record 400m record from 47.92 seconds to 47.71, in finishing third overall in the Virginia Tech Invitational on Saturday.

In Alabama, Ronique Todman ran 7.20 seconds in the 60m dash and Adaejah Hodge, 9.14 second in the 9-10 division.

BVIAA DEVELOPMENT MEET #5 RESULTS

January 15, 2016

ALL TIMES ARE FULLY ELECTRONIC (no wind gauge)

80M

U.9 females:

  1. SHYRA STOUTT-15.54; 2, REILLY BREWLEY – 14.75

U.11 females:

1) SHANNIA JOHNSON – 12.12; 2) ASIA McMaster – 12.36; 3) NEJMA ROBINSON – 12.70; 4) JADA JOHN-LEWIS – 12.98; 5) D’NEAH HODGE – 13.00;  6) SHANIQUE GLASGOW – 13.09; 7) JAH’KYLA MORTON – 13.11; 8) ACAIDA FRETT – 13.14; 9) SHARIKA HENDRICKSON – 14.26; 10) KENNIQUA GRATE – 14.53

100M

U.13 females:

1) ABRIEL MAGLIORE – 14.28; 2) ARIYAH SMITH – 14.37; 3) JAHTIAVIYAH WILLIAMS – 14.65; 4) KENYATTA GRATE – 14.66; 5) REEIAH WOODLEY – 15.19; 6) GANIYAH FINDLAY – 15.35; 7) NICKERIA DRUMMOND – 15.44; 8) KAYLIA BRATHWAITE – 15.67; 9) DIAMONAE THOMAS – 16.01; 10) BRITNEY MENDEZ – 16.03; 11) TASIA GLASGOW – 16.30; 12) SHENEAH HODGE – 17.02

U.15 FEMALES:

1) TASHIRA EDWARDS – 13.59; 2) AKRISA ERISTEE – 13.80; 3) ANGELICA PENI – 14.58; 4) SYMMERA FORBES – 15.39

U.18 FEMALES:

1) BEYONCE DEFRAITAS – 12.56; 2) ZAKHIRA FRETT – 12.90; 3) SH’KAIDA LAVACIA – 13.26; 4) NAYA PENN – 13.42