The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation announced today that thanks to a grant from the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, the Virgin Islands will accept an invitation to compete in the XXXXII CARIFTA Junior Track and Field Championships to be held Easter weekend in Nashau, Bahamas. CARIFTA is considered to be one of the most competitive junior track and field championships in the world, particularly for the sprints, as it has produced many of the world champions and Olympic medalist up to the day.
The Virgin Islands has had several medalists at CARIFTA including: Iyeachia Petrus, Flora Hyacinth, Sanny Eugene, Adrian Durant, Aneicia Williams, Juan Robles, Allison Peter, James Fleming, Leslie Murray among others. CARIFTA started in 1972 in Barbados and the Virgin Islands first competed in 1973 and has competed in all but three years.
The 2013 team will be one of the youngest and the largest in memory with a total of 18 male and females selected from those eligible to compete in age groups under 20 and under 17. Most of these athletes will be competing in CARIFTA for the first time and some will have the opportunity to qualify for the IAAF World Youth Championships to be held in Russia later in the year.
Under 17 Girls:
Quashira McIntosh 100m, 200m, relays; Nia Jack 100m, relays; Britney Sage 200m, relays; Ranesia Mattew 400m, relays; Krystahl Gordon Triple Jump, relays; Layla Browne Shot Put, Discus, Javelin
Under 17 Boys:
Nyhne Daniel 100m, relays; Eugene Kohun 100m, 200m, relays; Emari Mills 200m, relays; Malique Smith; 400m, 800m, relays; Avery Joseph Shot Put, Discus, Javelin
Under 20 Girls:
Alile Browne 100m, 200m, relays; Kayla King 100m, 200m, relays; Keshema Fleming 400m, relays; Karen Dascent 400m, relays
Under 20 Boys:
Jared Hanley 100m, 200m; Malachi Bostic-Wattley 100m, 200m; Bradley Carbon Discus, Shot Put, Javelin
Coaches:
Keith Smith, Head Coach
Ileta Potter, National Coach
Mireille Smith, Team Leader
Notes:
St. Croix CARIFTA Team members should contact Keith Smith National Coach for practice schedule at 340-277-1123 or 340-778-2036
St. Thomas CARIFTA Team members should contact Ileta Potter Coach for practice schedule at: 340 514 8509 or 340 777 9256
All athletes (including those off-island) and coaches should contact Mireille Smith, Team Leader for travel information and uniform issue at: 340-422-1123
To become eligible for a V.I. National Track and Field Team and for more information logon to: http://virginislandstrackandfield.org email: isv@mf.iaaf.org
