Elimination trials to narrow down the field of students from the Virgin Islands who will eventually complete in the track and field events at the 33rd United States Youth Games in Birmingham, Ala. in July are in full swing.
The games are for students 15 and under.
Time trials have been going on for weeks, according to Terese Hodge, coach at Adelita Cancryn Junior High School. "And we still have a few more trials to narrow the field of competitors down," Hodge said.
The next set of time trials for the V.I. National Team will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 6 at Charlotte Amalie High School for the 100 and 400 meters. The trials for the 200 and 800 meters will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, May 7 at CAHS.
The finals for the territory will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 15 at CAHS.
There are four categories of competitors: girls 13-years-old and under, boys 13-years-old and under, girls 15-years-old and under and boys 15-years-old and under. Six students in each category will be chosen to compete in the national games, based on a point system.
There are other areas of competition at the national games, according to Glenwood Dickerson, the chief advisor to the track and field group.
The national youth games will take place July 28 – August 1.
The other areas are swimming, tennis and basketball.