Virgin Islands National Team members will meet stiff competition in several regional and world championships this summer including: the Central America and Caribbean Junior Championships in Santo Domingo; the NACAC Under 23 Championships in Miramar, Florida; the CAC Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; the IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada; and the First Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, according to a press release from the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation.
The first teams to compete in outdoor championship competition for 2010 were the V.I. junior team in the CARIFTA Junior Championships in the Cayman Islands in March at which Allison Peter won two medals. A V.I. youth team competed in the Leeward Islands Youth Championships in Anguilla in May. Medal winners there were Keshema Fleming, Rodney Griffin, Imani Joseph and Amari Joseph.
Athletes become available for V.I. National Teams after being declared eligible and qualified for specific competitions. Most of the senior team members train and compete outside of the territory because of limited training facilities. They compete for their college or high school and are either in college or are professionals. The professionals include: sprinters Laverne Jones, 100m and 200m; Courtney Patterson, 100m and 200m; Adrian Durant, 100m and 200m; and Muhammad Halim, relays and triple jumper/long jumper. Marathon runners Billy Bohlke and Ruth Ann David live and train in the territory. College athletes include: Tabarie Henry of Texas A&M, 400m and 200m relays; Leon Hunt of Florida A&M, long jump; Leslie Murray of Delaware State, 400m hurdles and relays; Wynetta Kirby of Norfolk State, 100m hurdles, high jump and long jump; Hasheem Halim of Virginia Tech, long jump and triple jump; Terry Charles of South Carolina State, 800m relays; David Walter of Hinds Community College, 100m and relays; Juan Robles of Turabo University, steeplechase 1500m; Ninfa Barnard of Arkansas University Pine Bluff, 800m and 1500m; and Calvin Dascent of South Plains College, 400m and relays. High school athletes Allison Peter, 100m and 200m; and Desiree King, 400m, 400m hurdles and 800m, are scheduled for the CAC Junior Championships, David Walter, 800m and 1500m, is scheduled for the Youth Olympic Games; Seymour Walter, 800m and 1500m, is scheduled for the NACAC Under 23 Championships.
The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation (VITFF) has setup a training camp at the National Training Center in Clairmont, Florida and designated several tune-up competitions in the USA, Canada and the Caribbean in preparation for the championships. The training and competition for the V.I. National Teams is made possible with funding from International Olympic Committee Solidarity Program through the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee; the International Association of Athletic Federations through the VITFF; and the Government of the Virgin Islands through the VIOC and the Department of Housing, Parks and Recreation.
VITFF is accepting donations to support the V.I. National Track and Field Team members. The current registration drive for athletes, coaches, technical officials, volunteer parents and supporters is underway.
For information, contact the VITFF by e-mail: isv@mf.iaaf.org or call: 643-2557 or logon to: virginislandstrackandfield.org
