By: Curtis Morton
A delegation of athletes and officials returned to Nevis via the Carib Breeze just after 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2013.
The contingent of athletes and officials was led by Lester Blackett, President of the NAAA who explained that the NAAA had responded to a late invitation to send some athletes to participate in the inaugural BVI twilight invitational which was held on Saturday 1st June at the AO Shirley Ground’s Mondo track, located in Tortola.
The athletes who represented Nevis were as follows:
Chloe Williams— ran 100 and 200 meters and placed 3rd in the 200 meters for under 18 girls
Morris Gumbs—1st in the 400 meters in his category
Kerisha Powell—under 20 javelin—1st in her category
Kaden Rawlins—placed in top five
Lakia Harrigan-placed in top five
Jevon Claxton-placed in top five
Adrian Williams-2nd in the javelin in his category
Mr. Blackett thanked the Ministries of Sports and Education for their outstanding contributions in making the trip possible.
The athletic contingent was met by a very impressive delegation which comprised of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Keith Glasgow; newly appointed Asst. Secretary in Ministry of Social Development, Ms Dishern Michelle Liburd and Ag Director of Sports, Mr. Jamir Claxton.
Mr. Glasgow congratulated the athletes for their great performances and thanked the Nevis island administration for coming through for the athletes, even at short notice.
Mr. Claxton also warmly congratulated the athletes and wished them success in their future endeavours.
The two coaches who accompanied the athletes were: Sherwin Caines and Shefton Daniel.
Mr. Blackett promised that footage from the meet will soon be available on NTV channel 8.
Some other information coming out of the meet indicates the following:
‘A 10.1 in the 100 by Kim Collins, which is good anywhere in the world. We saw a 45-second 400m runner from the Dominican Republic, which is a new track record here in the BVI and they did it at the Twilight Invitational, so that’s great for us. We saw the local girls in the 100 and 200, we saw our 4 x 100 relay team grab a bronze and set a new record, so yes, in my view, a resounding success!”
Collins finished in 10.19 ahead of Antoine Adams in 10.28 and Dexter Lee in 10.29secs.
In the Men’s 200m, Anguillan Zarhnel Hughes ran 20.82 to victory ahead of Antoine and Joel Redhead of Grenada, who ran 20.87 and 20.91 respectively.
In the Men’s 400m, Guavo Cuesta of the Dominican Republic took 1st place in 45.87 with the USA pair of Marcus Boyd and Josh Scott second and third in times of 46.26 and 46.79secs.
Jamaican Patricia Hall had the night’s lone double victory with wins in the 200m and 400m and set a new All Comers Record in the 400 with her time of 51.34 seconds. Anastasia Leroy, also from Jamaica, was second in 51.65secs, just ahead of St. Vincent and the Grenadine’s Kenike Alexander’s 51.67.
In the 400m, Ashley Kelly and Chantel Malone came home in 5th with a season’s best 53.54 and 8th in 55.02, respectively. “I tried to get out a little harder than I usually do and then relax down the backstretch. It was kinda hard, but it’s all a learning process. I got a season best for me so I’m progressing, I came out healthy and ready for the next race,” commented Kelly.
Hall completed her double with a 22.93 victory in the 200m. King equaled her 23.35 personal best in second, avenging a loss to Alexander in Puerto Rico two weeks ago, with Alexander getting to the line in 23.40, for third.
Canada took a 1, 2, and 3 in the 200m (B) race to hold off Dominique Maloney, who ran 24.80 to claim 6th place.
In the women’s 100m, much anticipation was on how well Tahesia Harrigan-Scott and Karene King would fare against some strong opposition. As it turned out Harrigan-Scott was nursing a sore knee and finished 6th with a time of 11.94. King, however, snatched 3rd with her time of 11.65secs.’