Oct. 14, 2005 – The annual Virgin Islands Pace 4H-Club Cross-Country Series got off to a fine start on Wednesday at the St. Croix Campus of the University of the Virgin Islands. The best high school distance runner in the Virgin Islands, Juan Robles of St. Croix Central School continued his winning ways with a first place finish in the rain-soaked 5k (3.1 miles) with a time of 18 minutes and 25 seconds. UVI student William Kirkland was a distant second with a time of 23:07 and Cesar Tapia, also of Central HS, was third in 23:32. The females were led by Erica Sweitzer, a teacher at Ricardo Richards Elementary School, with a time of 23:25 (third place overall); Sissel Halloway of St. Croix Country Day School was second in 24:47; Watina Hill of the St. Croix Educational Complex was third in 37:53.
The junior varsity boys and girls ran two miles and were led by Jelani Peters with a time of 15 minutes and 12 seconds; second was seven year old Malique Smith of Reading Rainbow with and super time of 15:12 in a race to the tape; Ismael Navarrow of the SCEC was third in 16:55. Mackiesh Taylor led the female JV runners with a time of 17:21; Jochebed Harris was second in 18:08; and Radience Clarke of SCEC was third in 22:55.
There were two participants in the elementary race over the distance of one mile. Karen Dascent of Ricardo Richards Elementary School was first in 10:32 and Makela Smith was second in 10:35 in a very competitive race.
The V.I.Pace Runners 4-H Club Cross-Country Series is hosted by the UVI Cooperative Extension Service/4-H Program, which was sponsored by the Boys to Men, Girls to Women Foundation; organized by the V.I.P.R.; and sanctioned by the Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation.
The next race in the series is on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m., at UVI, followed by the third race on Oct. 26, 4 p.m., also at UVI and the championships on Veterans Day Nov. 11 which is also open to elementary, junior high, high school and open adult runners.
For more information, logon to: http://virginislandspace.org or call: 777-0258 or 643-2557.
The Finishers Varsity/Open Male 3.1 Miles):
1. Juan Robles, St. Croix Central High School 18:25
2. William Kirkland, UVI 23:07
3. Cesar Tapia, St. Croix Central High School 23:32
4. Clint Smith SCEC 23:50
5. Carmona Robinson, CHS 24:49
6. Cidbernie Ayla, CHS 25:36
7. Ralph Christian, CHS 26:23
8. Lester Liburd, SCEC 27:05
9. Giustino Fyfield, SCEC 29:49
10. Calvin Dascent, SCEC 32:42
11. Jose Ramiez, CHS 32:51
12. Lakeef Lake, SCEC 37:55
13. Leonardo Reyes, CHS 38:50
14. Isaac James, SCEC 41:36
The Finishers Varsity/Open Female (3.1 Miles):
1. Erica Sweitzer, Ricardo Richards Elementary School 23:25
2. Sissel Halloway, St. Croix Country Day School 24:47
3. Watina Hill, SCEC 37:53
4. Carrisa Cave, SCEC 38:52
5. Taisha Richards, SCEC 41:58
6. Chantel Bramble, CHS 42:16
The Finishers Junior Varsity Male (2 Miles):
1. Jelani Peters, SCEC 15:12
2. Malique Smith, Reading Rainbow 15:12
3. Ismael Mararro Jr., SCEC 16:55
4. Rashad Wilson, SCEC 17:03
5. Kendall Payne, SCEC 20:28
6. Nickyle Blenman, SCEC 20:28
7. Nile James, SCEC 20:51
8. Derrik Miller, SCEC 22:47
9. Megrid Brown, SCEC 22:54
The Finishers Junior Varsity Female (2 miles):
1. Mackiesh Taylor, SCEC 17:21
2. Jochebed Harris, CHS 18:08
3. Radience Clarke, SCEC 22:55
4. Varez Richards, SCEC 22:57
5. Kenisha Wallace, CHS 28:25
6. Shelly Attidore, CHS 28:25
7. Janice James 29:33
8. Kyanne Cave, Arthur Richards Jr. HS 29:55
9. Takesia Martinez, SCEC 31:43
The Finishers Elementary Girls (1 mile):
1. Karen Dascent, Ricardo Richards Elementary School 10:27
2. Mikaela Smith, 10:35