Athletics Federation – Virgin Islands Olympic Committee

31st Olympic Day Run, St. Croix

June 25, 2017July 14, 2017 VIOC

In the tradition of focusing on the Olympic Movement, the St. Croix version of the Olympic Day Run event, the 31^st edition, saw a change of venue but a familiar format. With the closing of the track, where the event was held the past several years, for construction and repairs, the move to the new Christiansted bypass was a bit challenging but lots of fun for at least sixty runners and walkers. Five group levels (20 minute, 15 minute, 10 minute, 7 minute and 6 minute) ran the rolling out and back course with the start/finish overlooking the historic Christiansted National Historic Site.

6 min/mile group

The fastest of groups made up of no less than five Olympic federations including: Track and Field, Cycling, Sailing, Triathlon and Swimming was led by Malique Smith of the Track and Field Federation’s St. Croix Track Club and the Univ, of Arkansas Pine Bluff. The pack including top junior, open and master runners made the turn around and half way with the experienced Smith positioning himself for the win. He crossed the line in 4:55; Rodney Griffin also of SCTC and Unvi. APB edged out Michael Dizon Bauman of the V.I. Triathlon and V.I. Cycling Federations for second in 5:18 to 5:19. Bridget Klein Track and Field and V.I. Track and Field was the fastest female of the day in 6:15; Mikaela Smith of the St. Croix Track Club/V.I. Track and Field and latest track and field Youth Olympian was second in 6:26; Rachel Conhoff Track and Field was third in 6:45.

Stephen Swanston V.I. Cyling Federation/V.I Triathlon Federation was the fourth male in 5:28; Randall Nielsen V.I. Track and Field Federation was fifth in 5:47; Valance Modeste SCTC V.I. Track and Field Federation was sixth in 6:02; Jael Shoy was seventh in 6:07; No 6 What’s Your Name was eighth in 6:13; Antonio Lewit St. Croix Dolphins/V.I. Swimming Federation was ninth in 7.06

Bridget Klein V.I. Track and Field Federation was the first female in 7:06; Mikaela Smith SCTC/V.I.Track and Field Federation was second in 6:26; Rachel Conhoff V.I. Track and Field Federation was third in 6:45.

7 min/mile group

Eleven year old Michelle Smith Track and Field and the St. Croix Track Club/V.I. Track and Field Federation led the seven minute milers to the finish as she held off Track and Field V.I. 50 mile champ Mike Klein for second in 6:31 for first female, Klein was the first male in 6:35; Troy Holloway V.I. Triathlon Federation was the second male in 6:53

Stefanie Matthew V.I. Track and Field Federation was the second female in 7:06; Robin Seila was third in 7:09; Kat Brownsdon V.I. Triathlon Federation was fourth in 7:11; Lauren Jones was fifth in 7:32

10 min/mile group

Mireille Smith and her husband Keith Track and Field and St. Croix Track Club coaches/officials/V.I. Track and Field Federation led this group with Mireille less than a half step ahead of Keith for first female and he the first male, both were timed in 7:39.

Ian Cuffy V.I. Track and Field Federation was the second male in 8:29; Tom Maloney was third in 8:37; Louis Torres was fourth in 10:26; Rey Lutz V.I. Track and Field Federation was fifth in 12:09

Roma Maloney was the second female in 7:47; Shannan Calhoun was third in 4:51; Josephine Calhoun Shooting Federation was fourth in 8:02; Kirsten Jones was fifth in 8:06; Jimiah John Baptiste SCTC/V.I. Track and Field Federation sixth in 8:22; Lauren Jones seventh in 8:29; Kia Katlyn Jones 8::36; Maria Maloney 8:37; Lu Joseph eighth in 14:19; Beth Joseph ninth in 14:21

15 min/mile group

Jaidan Soe Comacho of St. Croix Dolphins/V.I. Swimming led the field with a time of 7:06; Genevieve Whitaher was the first female finisher in 9:56.

Amani Estrill St. Croix Dolphins/V.I. Swimming was the second male in 7:59; Luis Torres St. Croix Dolphins/V.I. Swimming was third in 8:49; Number 18 was fourth in 9:55; Ryan Smith was fifth in 10:55; Rey Lutz V.I. Track and Field was sixth in 13:22; Seft Andrews seventh in 14:00;

Kat Downsdon V.I. Triathlon was the second female in 9:57; Chancy Smith was third in 10:53; Patsy Guthrie was fourth in 11:10; Sasha Charlemagne was fifth in 12:15; Aurea Valez was sixth in 12:42; Chelesa Taylor V.I. Track and Field was seventh in 13:25; Erin Andrews was eighth I 14:01

20 min/mile group

11 year old Abriella Messier led the way in 10:31; Willie Lewis Mary’s Fancy Track Club/V.I. Track and Field Federation led males in 12:35

Rey Lutz V.I. Track and Field was the second male in 13:41; Ronald Russell V.I. Track and Field was third in 14:37

Larisha Primus was the second female in 11:24; ? Sloan was third in in 12:01; Sophia Artich was fourth in 13:09; Barbara Knight was fifth in 14:30; Hazel Smith SCTC/V.I. Track and Field Federation was sixth in 14:32; Victoria ? was seventh in 14:37; Bianna Mathis was eighth in 14:38

The 6 min/mile group at start of 31st Olympic Day Run in St. Croix. #110 Malique Smith fastest of the day.

Juan Robles on VITFF Grant to train at high altitude in Colombia

August 15, 2015April 10, 2016 VIOC

Juan Robles (in dark uniform) the top long distance road runner in the Virgin Islands and track coach at the St. Croix Central High School has been awarded a training grant for high altitude training in Colombia, South America for the summer. He joined some of his college teammates when he was a student/athlete at Turabo University in Puerto Rico at one of the Olympic Training Centers in Colombia situated at over 6,000 feet and ideal for long distance training.

The VITFF granted Juan a training grant for the purpose of both assisting with further developing his running capability and for making it possible for him to gain valuable technical and philosophical training in the theoretical and practical aspects of high altitude training for use in his capacity as a coach of distance and long distance runners (Juan received his IAAF Level I Coaching Certification last year).

While in Colombia, Juan was granted permission (a requirement of host country’s national track and field federation) of VITFF to compete in the Palmira Half-Marathon (at over 3,000 feet) where he ran the race in 1:13.41 for eighth overall and in his best time since he was a college runner and the best time for a V.I. runners in the past several years.

Robles has won the V.I. Half-Marathon champion for the past five years. His best time in the race was 1:14 when he was running for Turabo Univ. back in 2010. His 1:13 is the best time run by a Virgin Islander since the days of George Jules, Calvin Dallas, Marlon Williams, Wallace Williams. Danny Dickinson has the V.I. record for the half-marathon run in the 90’s when he ran a 1:10 on a St. Croix Course. The fastest half-marathon ever run in the Virgin Islands was 1:06 by Douglas Wakihuri in 1998 when V.I.Pace Runners organized the race from Beeston Hill to Fort Frederik to recognized the Emancipation of Enslaved Africans in the West Indies which took place at the finish line of the race.

Eduardo Garcia now top V.I. Long Distance Runner…Wins SEC 10K Championship…

May 26, 2015April 10, 2016 VIOC

The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation announced today that Eduardo Garcia won the Southeastern Conference Championship in the 10,000 meters at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi recently. His time was 29:49.92. He is the first Virgin Islands long distance runner to win a major NCAA championship at the distance and the V.I. national record holder for the distance at 29:36.26.

Garcia made his debut as a V.I. National Track and Field Team Member in last year’s CAC Games in Vera Cruz, Mexico and had the best ever V.I. performance by a Virgin Islander in the 10k with a strong fourth place finish behind the dominant Central Americans and just one spot out of the medals. The junior at NCAA powerhouse the University of Florida impressed his coach Mike Holloway with his performance… “It’s an unbelievable accomplishment for Eddie (Garcia). You’re talking about a guy that really comes to work every day and does what we ask of him. But that was still a big surprise for everyone. Words can’t explain how proud I am of him…

On getting stronger as the race progressed:

“Garcia said “Our race plan was to keep myself in position the entire way. Also, we’ve been doing a lot of speed work, Jimmy (Clark) and I, so we both knew that if it came down to the finish then we’d be alright.”

On the final two laps of the race:

“With just those couple of laps left, I was just trying to score as many points as I could for the Gators, you know? This is the SEC Championships and I just ran with my heart during the end of the race. It was just all heart.”

Garcia is the second V.I. Track and Field National Team member to excel at Univ. of Florida at the championship level joining Eddie Lovett 110m hurdles as SEC Conference Champion. He is gearing up for the NCAA Regional Championships coming up this weekend and ideally the NCAA Championships to follow. His next competition for the Virgin Islands National Track and Field Team will be The Pan American Games in Toronto in July.

Wallace Williams, General Secretary VITFF on Garcia’s performance at Starkville…”the track in Starkville is good to the Virgin Islands. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to see our Billy Bohlke run personal best there in the SEC Championships when he was a senior and top distance runner at LSU. Eduardo is in fine company, only a few Florida Univ. distance runners have achieved what Eduardo did there, he can count himself among that group which includes the great Olympian and Florida Alum, Frank Shorter, among others. We are happy for Eduardo, we are proud of him.”

THE 27TH PARADISE 5K

May 6, 2015 VIOC

The running of the 27th edition of The V.I.Pace Runners Paradise 5K gave local and visiting runners what they wanted, a tour of the toughest part of the run.

leg in the 70.3 Half-Ironman and a chance to run with each other. Juan Robles made a busy weekend of it as he took the lead from the start and never trailed and finished first with a time of 16:42. Billy Bohlke, doing it because he loves it, was second in 19:03; Tony Jolly was third in 19:46.

The female race was much closer as St. Croix’s Rachel battled Claudia Beristan of Mexico for the title, Beristan held on to win over the St.Crox Track Club/Country Day Good Hope runner by a mere six seconds, 23:10 to 23:16. Stacy Menyez of Des Plains, Illinois was third in 27:35.

The group of aproximately three dozen an international field saw the top ten males and females awarded race medals and race certificates. Each runner received a retro V.I.Pace Runners t-shirt. It included a contingent of Internation Triathlon Union officials on island to conduct a triathlon coaching course hosted by the Virgin Islands Triathlon Federation.

Place Name Age S City St Club Time Pace

===== =================== === = =============== == ========== ======= =====

1	JUAN Robles	26	M	St. Croix			16:42	5:24
2	BILLY Bohlke	30	M	St. Croix			19:03	6:09
3	TONY Jolly	43	M				19:46	6:23
4	RODRIGO Milazzo	42	M	Portugal			21:10	6:50
5	RANDALL Nielsen	42	M	St. Croix			22:02	7:07
6	ROBB Kulzynski	29	M	St. Croix			22:08	7:09
7	CLAUDIA Beristan	48	F	Mexico			23:10	7:29
8	RACHEL Connof	15	F	St. Croix			23:16	7:31
9	COLBY moran	13	M	St. Croix			23:23	7:33
10	TJ Vandehey	30	M	St. Croix			23:33	7:36
11	ADEN Stevens	16	M	St. Croix			23:36	7:37
12	HASANI Lynch	14	M	St. Croix			24:23	7:52
13	DREW Wall	34	M	St. Croix			24:31	7:55
14	ISAIH Stevens	14	M	St. Croix			24:57	8:03
15	MASON Lambert	8	M	St. Croix			25:21	8:11
16	KADEN Gleason	7	M	St. Croix			25:44	8:19
17	JAY Gleason	40	M	St. Croix			25:45	8:19
18	CHRISTOPHER Haug	31	M	St. Croix			27:29	8:52
19	JOSE FERINA Alfonso	54	M	Puerto Rico			27:31	8:53
20	STACY Menyez	27	F	Des Plains,		Ill	27:35	8:54
21	REGINA Stevens	40	F	St. Croix			27:42	8:57
22	JOHN Hourihan	59	M	St. Croix			29:04	9:23
23	MAYEH Russell	14	F	St. Croix			29:05	9:23
24	DENIS Honeychurch	68	M				30:46	9:56
25	NED Jacobs	63	M	St. Croix			32:21	10:27
26	KEVIN Moran	41	M	St. Croix			32:24	10:28
27 KARA Donnelly 36 F Cayman Islands 35:02 11:19
28	ROSLYN Turner	62	F	St.	Croix		35:06	11:20
29	KIRRA Lambert	8	F	St.	Croix		37:28	12:06
30	MEGAN Lambert	33	F	St.	Croix		37:29	12:06
31	JAYDEN Lazama	9	M	St.	Croix		38:07	12:18

32 JENNIFER Sturm	31 F St. Croix	38:09	12:19
33 REY Lutz	62 M St. Croix	38:44	12:30

AWARD LIST FOR RACE THE 27TH PARADISE 5K

Distance: 3.1 Miles…Rolling Course…

Segment of Ironman 70.3 Run Course April 30, 2015

The Buccaneer Resort Christiansted, St. Croix, Virgin Islands USA Organized by: The Virgin Islands Pace Runners

Sanctioned by: The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation

********** MALE OVERALL RESULTS FOR 5K RACE ***********

1	JUAN Robles	26	St.	Croix	16:42	16:42	16:42
2	BILLY Bohlke	30	St.	Croix	19:03	19:03	19:03
3	TONY Jolly	43			19:46	19:46	19:46
4 RODRIGO Milazzo 42 Portugal 21:10 21:10 21:10
5	RANDALL Nielsen	42	St.	Croix	22:02	22:02	22:02
6	ROBB Kulzynski	29	St.	Croix	22:08	22:08	22:08
7	COLBY moran	13	St.	Croix	23:23	23:23	23:23
8	TJ Vandehey	30	St.	Croix	23:33	23:33	23:33
9	ADEN Stevens	16	St.	Croix	23:36	23:36	23:36
10	HASANI Lynch	14	St.	Croix	24:23	24:23	24:23
11	DREW Wall	34	St.	Croix	24:31	24:31	24:31
12	ISAIH Stevens	14	St.	Croix	24:57	24:57	24:57
13	MASON Lambert	8	St.	Croix	25:21	25:21	25:21
14	KADEN Gleason	7	St.	Croix	25:44	25:44	25:44
15	JAY Gleason	40	St.	Croix	25:45	25:45	25:45
16	CHRISTOPHER Haug	31	St.	Croix	27:29	27:29	27:29
17 JOSE FERINA Alfonso 54 Puerto Rico 27:31 27:31 27:31
18	JOHN Hourihan	59	St.	Croix	29:04	29:04	29:04
19	DENIS Honeychurch	68			30:46	30:46	30:46
20	NED Jacobs	63	St.	Croix	32:21	32:21	32:21
21	KEVIN Moran	41	St.	Croix	32:24	32:24	32:24
22	JAYDEN Lazama	9	St.	Croix	38:07	38:07	38:07
23	REY Lutz	62	St.	Croix	38:44	38:44	38:44

********** FEMALE OVERALL RESULTS FOR 5K RACE ***********

1 CLAUDIA Beristan 48 Mexico 23:10 23:10 23:10

2	RACHEL Connof	15	St.	Croix		23:16	23:16	23:16
3	STACY Menyez	27	Des	Plains,	Ill	27:35	27:35	27:35
4	REGINA Stevens	40	St.	Croix		27:42	27:42	27:42
5	MAYEH Russell	14	St.	Croix		29:05	29:05	29:05

6 KARA Donnelly 36 Cayman Islands 35:02 35:02 35:02

7 ROSLYN Turner 62 St. Croix 35:06 35:06 35:06

8 KIRRA Lambert 8 St. Croix 37:28 37:28 37:28

9 MEGAN Lambert 33 St. Croix 37:29 37:29 37:29

10 JENNIFER Sturm 31 St. Croix 38:09 38:09 38:09 MALE AGE GROUP: 1 – 9

1 15 MASON Lambert 25:21 8 St. Croix 25:21 25:21

2 16 KADEN Gleason 25:44 7 St. Croix 25:44 25:44

3 31 JAYDEN Lazama 38:07 9 St. Croix 38:07 38:07

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 1 – 9

1 29 KIRRA Lambert 37:28 8 St. Croix 37:28 37:28

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 10 – 19

1 8 RACHEL Connof 23:16 15 St. Croix 23:16 23:16

2 MALE AGE		23 MAYEH Russell GROUP: 10 – 19				29:05	14	St.	Croix	29:05	29:05
1		9	COLBY moran			23:23	13	St.	Croix	23:23	23:23
2		11	ADEN Stevens			23:36	16	St.	Croix	23:36	23:36
3		12	HASANI Lynch			24:23	14	St.	Croix	24:23	24:23
4		14	ISAIH Stevens			24:57	14	St.	Croix	24:57	24:57
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 20 – 29
1 20 STACY Menyez MALE AGE GROUP: 20 – 29 1 1 JUAN Robles						27:35 16:42	27 26	Des Plains, Ill St. Croix		27:35 16:42	27:35 16:42
2 6 ROBB Kulzynski FEMALE AGE GROUP: 30 – 39 1 27 KARA Donnelly						22:08 35:02	29 36	St. Croix Cayman Islands		22:08 35:02	22:08 35:02
2 30 MEGAN Lambert						37:29	33	St. Croix		37:29	37:29
3 32 JENNIFER Sturm						38:09	31	St. Croix		38:09	38:09
MALE AGE GROUP: 30 – 39
1	2 BILLY Bohlke					19:03	30	St.	Croix	19:03	19:03
2	10 TJ Vandehey					23:33	30	St.	Croix	23:33	23:33
3	13 DREW Wall					24:31	34	St.	Croix	24:31	24:31
4 FEMALE	18 CHRISTOPHER AGE GROUP: 40 –				Haug 49	27:29	31	St.	Croix	27:29	27:29
1		7 CLAUDIA Beristan				23:10	48	Mexico		23:10	23:10
2 MALE AGE 1		21 REGINA Stevens GROUP: 40 – 49 3 TONY Jolly				27:42 19:46	40 43	St. Croix		27:42 19:46	27:42 19:46
2		4 RODRIGO Milazzo				21:10	42	Portugal		21:10	21:10
3		5 RANDALL Nielsen				22:02	42	St. Croix		22:02	22:02
4		17 JAY Gleason				25:45	40	St. Croix		25:45	25:45
5		26 KEVIN Moran				32:24	41	St. Croix		32:24	32:24
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 – 59
MALE AGE 1		GROUP: 19 JOSE		50 – 59 FERINA Alfonso		27:31	54	Puerto Rico		27:31	27:31
2		22 JOHN		Hourihan		29:04	59	St. Croix		29:04	29:04

FEMALE AGE GROUP: 60 – 99

1 28 ROSLYN Turner 35:06 62 St. Croix 35:06 35:06

MALE AGE GROUP: 60 – 99

1	24	DENIS Honeychurch	30:46	68			30:46	30:46
2	25	NED Jacobs	32:21	63	St.	Croix	32:21	32:21
3	33	REY Lutz	38:44	62	St.	Croix	38:44	38:44

17th Children Run Christiansted “Live and In Color”

May 1, 2015 VIOC

The start of the 17th Children Run Christiansted “Live and In Color”

With a total of 228 official finishers and over 50 unofficial participants, boys and girls 13 and under. Number 99 Valence Modeste of the St. Croix Track Club successfully defended his title, took the lead early on and held it down King St. to the finish at the Scale House of the Christiansted National Historic Site, his time was 1 minute 23 seconds for the 530meter race. Mikaela Smith also of the St. Croix Track Club defended her title as well and finished first for females and second overall, her time was 1:31.

The youngest male in the race was 1 year old Omar Mutidi 5:42 and the youngest female was 1 year old Isabelle Smith with a time of 5:15.

Participants in the event had guest celebrated founder of the Last Poets…the father of rap, David Nelson as the honorary starter for the race. Participants also have a chance to win a prize by doing the online quiz about the history of the St. Croix Triathlon, the Children Run Christiansted and the Christiansted National Historic Site.

THE 17TH ANNUAL CHILDREN RUN CHRISTIANSTED

Sunday Market Square to Christiansted National Historic Site

530 Meters

CHRISTIANSTED, St. Croix, Virgin Islands May 1, 2015

Hosted by Christiansted Restaurant and Merchants Association and The National Park Service…Triathlon Jump-Up Organized by: The Virgin Islands Pace Runners

Sanctioned by: The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation

Place Div No. Name City St Age S Run

===== === ==== =============================== ============== == === = =======

1	1	99	VALANCE Modeste	St. Croix Trac	13	M	1:23
2	1	101	MIKAELA Smith	St. Croix Trac	13	F	1:31
3	2	297	JUSENIA Tuitt	Hounds & Foxes	13	F	1:39
4	1	96	MAKARI Mathew	St. Croix	11	M	1:40
5	2	25	ASHTON Patalidis	Good Hope Coun	13	M	1:41
6	2	91	NASH Ramsdell	St. Croix Trac	12	M	1:41
7	1	230	PAIGE Combie	Hounds & Foxes	12	F	1:43
8	3	264	MIKEY Dizon-Bauman	Good Hope Coun	11	M	1:49
9	2	100	MICHELLE Smith	St. Croix Trac	8	F	1:52
10	4	206	Masse Hatcher	St. Mary’s	8	M	1:53
11	5	7	REICE Richards	Good Hope Coun	10	M	1:54
12	3	84	JORDON Frederick	Free Will Bap	13	M	1:55
13	6	85	MASON Lambert	Good Hope Coun	8	M	1:56
14	3	43	T’ANNA Lake	Hounds & Foxes	10	F	1:57
15	4	58	GRACIE Sperber	Good Hope Coun	11	F	2:00
16	7	49	ZAHNIYAN Forde	Eulalie Rivera	10	M	2:01
17	8	9	RONEL Schjang	Good Hope Coun	9	M	2:03
18	5	37	KIARRA lambert	Good Hope Coun	8	F	2:03
19	9	45	LAKE Sanford	Good Hope Coun	12	M	2:04
20	10	208	DERANTE Larsen		8	M	2:06
21	3	46	OLIVIA Hanley	Good Hope Coun	13	F	2:06
22	11	44	TYLER Jones	AZ Academy	8	M	2:06
23	12	10	ETHAN Bourque	St. Croix	9	M	2:06
24	13	76	JAHNEIM Samuel	Eulalie Rivera	10	M	2:07
25	14	39	NATHAN Langley	Good Hope Coun	8	M	2:07
26	15	103	JACKSON Archambault	Good Hope Coun	8	M	2:08
27	6	262	J’NEOLISE Green	Hounds & Foxes	8	F	2:09

See full results at Virgin Islands Pace

IAAF Track and Field Coach Certification Course offered July 10-19, 2014 – St. Thomas

July 2, 2014 VIOC

The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation invites coaches/others to enroll in the IAAF Level I Coach Course to be held in St. Thomas July 10-19, 2014. The New CECS Course offers Practical; Kids’ Track and Field Theory; General Coaching Theory and Specific Theory and Practical and Written Exam at the conclusion (this is the introductory course, you do not have to be a coach to take this course).

NOTE: The requirements for the 10 day course includes:

1] There is no charge to you for this course, you are however, required to register with VITFF for the 2014, pay the annual $25 registration fee and sign the VITFF Code of Conduct. This will enable the distribution of your materials for the course in a timely manner and establish the formal channel of communication with you.

2] Be a minimum of 18 years of age

3] Have a minimum of a completed primary school education

4] Have interest in track and field

5] Be physically fit and able to learn to demonstrate all track and field events

6] Be willing to actively involve yourself as a qualified coach and to assist the IAAF Member Federation (The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation) in the development of track and field.

7] Be able to speak and read English sufficiently well to sit a written and practical examination

8] Be available throughout the duration of the course (minimum 10 days, 8am to 5pm).

To register logon to: http://virginislandstrackandfield.org

If you are interested in taking this course please contact:

Dale Joseph: 340-474-6077

Email: cheetahstracksracevi@yahoo.com

V.I. Invited to CARIFTA Junior Track and Field Championships in the Bahamas

March 20, 2013 VIOC

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

Eddie Lovett wins NCAA Indoor Championships 60m Hurdles ! Record Time!

March 11, 2013 VIOC

Eddie Lovett, a junior at the University of Florida is in the ranks of all-time great Virgin Islands track and field athletes (pending). On Saturday he won the NCAA National Indoor Championship 60m Hurdles with a time of 7.50 ranking him at number two on the IAAF World Ranking. His performance adds to his career honors including: four-time NCAA All-America, two-time Southeastern Conference 60m hurdles champion, SEC Men’s Indoor Freshman Track and Field Runner of the year, 2011 First Team All-SEC (Indoors and outdoors), All-SEC (First Team Indoors, Second Team outdoors).

In his short career, Lovett gained fame as a high school track star in Florida and the winning the 2010 state championship in the 110m hurdles and became the state record holder in the event. His 2010 time in the event was the fastest in the USA, the fastest in Florida high school history. As a freshman he won the Pan Am Junior Championship in the event and set a record of 13.14, breaking the previous record by an astonishing .30 seconds! He was the youngest competition in the USA Olympic Trials in 2012 advancing to the semi-finals.

Lovett is now fourth all-time in collegiate history and brings home Florida’s first 60-meter hurdle title in program history. It’s the second hurdle crown in Florida school history, as Earl Diamond won the 55-meter hurdles at the 1989 NCAA Indoor Championships.

“Eddie is the kind of guy where he could have a perfect start and still say it wasn’t,” Florida Coach Mike Holloway commented. “ What I’ll tell you is watching his transformation…it’s always great when you can break that ice and watch him come around. He broke our school record, he’s one of the top five guys in the history of the event, the NCAA meet record holder and he’s been focused like this since August when he started. I’m extremely proud of him.”

“I felt pretty good,” Lovett said. “Yesterday, I just wanted to work on my start. I made it up in between the hurdles, and I did the same today. It wasn’t the best start like I wanted, but I made it up at the end. I’m just happy. If I got my steps and technique right, it would all fall into place.”

Note:

1] Eddie Lovitt is the son of St. Croix’s Edward Williams (deceased), former Minor League Baseball player.

2] Lovett has applied for a transfer of his eligibility from the USA to the Virgin Islands and plans to represent the Virgin Islands in international competition including: The IAAF World Championships, The CAC Games, The Pan American Games and the Olympic Games.

3] Lovett joins David Walters in the ranks of 2013 college championships (Walters won the NAIA 60m title last week.

V.I. Cross-Country Championships…Saturday UVI St. Croix…

October 30, 2012 VIOC

The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation announced today that the annual Veterans Day 5K/Virgin Islands Cross-Country Championships will be held on Saturday November 3 on the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix campus.

The championships is the final cross-country event for the year, it is open to all runners, clubs and schools. The top runners in the Territory are expected to compete for the title Virgin Islands National Champion in categories from youth to master. Each island district has held cross-country events for the schools and open runners in October. In St. Thomas STAR (St.Thomas Association of Road Runners) has organized events on the UVI St. Thomas campus with an average of over 200 runners per week contesting the races. In St. Croix an equal number of runners have been competing in the 4-H/V.I.Pace Runners Cross-Country Series hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Program and organized by The Virgin Islands Pace Runners and The St. Croix Track Club.

The races are expected to be competitive as STAR is sponsoring runners from St. Thomas as is Cheetahs Track Club for this weekend’s event. In St. Croix The St. Croix Track Club will be well represented, other clubs including Hounds & Foxes Track Club and V.I.Pace Runners will also compete.

Notes:

1] Categories contested included: Boys and Girls under 10; Boys and Girls under 14; Boys and Girls under 16; Male and Female under 20; Male and Female Open (20 and over) Male and Female Masters (40 and over). Entry is open to all runners, no affiliation required.

2] Distances: Boys and Girls under 10 1 mile; Boys and Girls under 16 2 miles; Boys and Girls under 14 2 miles; Male and Female Under 20, Open, Masters 5K (3.1 Miles)

3] Order of events: 9am Girls 1mile; followed by Boys 1mile; Boys and Girls Under 16/Under 14 2mile; Male and Female under 20, Open, Masters

3] Athletes eligible for V.I. National Cross-Country Team will be considered for selection (based on level of performances) to the V.I. National NACAC Cross-Country Championships Team to be held Jamaica in January.

For information contact: V.I.Pace Runners 340-643-2557 logon to: http://virginislandspace.org

St. Croix Cross-Country Champions Decided…

October 24, 2012 VIOC

The third race in the 4H-V.I.Pace Runners Cross-Country Series decided the St. Croix champions for elementary boys and girls, under 16 boys and girls and varsity boys and girls yesterday at the University of the Virgin Islands St. Croix campus.

Elementary Girls

In the first race of the day Mikaela Smith of Good Shepard School and the St. Croix Track Club continued her winning ways as she led the field 50 elementary school girls around the one mile loop, her time was 6:43; Avia Joseph of Claude O. Markoe School was second in 7:16 and Tyannah Lake of Alexander Henderson School was third in 7:19.

Elementary Boys

In yet another close battle for the boys elementary title, Phar-I Merchant of Ricardo Richards School in a photo finish took first place in 6:15; Shalmaark Spencer of Alfredo Andrews School was second in also 6:15 and Valance Modeste was third in 6:16.

Under 16 Girls

Rachael Conoff of Country Day School took first place in the girls under 16 2mile race with a time of 15:07; Stefanie Mathew of Arthur A. Richards School was second in 15:50 and Krystahl Gordon of John H. Woodson School was third in 17:02.

Under 16 Boys

Malique Smith of St. Croix Educational Complex High School ran a personal best to finish first in the 2mile race with a time 11:31; his teammate Rodney Griffin was second in 12:15 and Elijah Delvish of Freewill Baptist School was third in 13:12.

Varsity Girls

Jazmine Willock of Country Day School finished first in 25:04 for the 3.1 mile race; Karen Dascent of St. Croix Educational Complex was second in 25:35 and Aile Browne of St. Croix Educational Complex was third in 27:35.

Varsity Boys

Alex Washington of Country Day School took first place over the 3.1 mile distance with a time of 19:55; Greddie Gomez of Freewill Baptist School was second in 20:53 and Lais Williams of Country Day was third in 20:54.

Open 5K

Billy Bohlke was the overall winner of the 5k race with a time of 18:31; Bobby Mohammad was second in 22:45 and Antonio Maysonette was a close third in 22:53.

Individual awards were presented to the top 15 finishers in each of the school categories.

Elementary School champions:

Girls

1. Claude O Markoe 34

2. Alexander Henderson 58

3. Pearl B larson 104

4. Eulalie Rivera 135

5. Alfredo Andrews 147

6. Good Shepherd

7. Good Hope

8. Ricardo Richards

9. Free Will Baptist

10. Charles H Emmanuel

Boys

1. Alfredo Andrews 34

2. Ricardo Richards 98

3. Evelyn Williams 100

4. Country Day 127

5. Alexander Henderson 148

6. Good Hope 161

7. Pearl B Larsen 176

8. Claude O Markoe 176

9. Eulalie Rivera 211

10. Free Will Baptist

11. Good Shepherd

12. Juanita Guardine

13. Charles H Emmanuel

1] Cross-country runners male and female and all ages are invited to compete in the V.I. National Cross-Country Championships to be held on November 3 at UVI St. Croix. The competition will include: 1 mile boys and girls; 2miles junior boys and girls and 3.1 miles high school and open and masters (35 and over female, 40 and over male). Qualifiers in the national championships may be selected to compete in the NACAC Cross-Country Championships in Kingston, Jamaica.

2]] Complete results will be posted on: www.eteamz.com/stxtc (St. Croix Track Club) and http://virginislandspace.org (The Virgin Islands Pace Runners)

3]] For information contact: The St. Croix Track Club Keith Smith 340-778-3026 wk, 340-277-1123 c keithsmith@gmail.com or The Virgin Islands Pace Runners 340-643-2557 wallacewilliams@msn.com

4] The 4-H/V.I.Pace Runners Cross-Country Series is hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service/4H Program; organized by the Virgin Islands Pace Runners and sanctioned by the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation in collaboration with the St. Croix Interscholastic Association.

Category: Athletics Federation