The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation announced today, March 25, that Karl Williams of South Carolina State took first place in the 100 meters at the Palmetto Classic Meet in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. The time qualifies him for the World University Games to be held in China this summer. Williams took third place in the 200m with a time of 23.38.
He recently registered with the VITFF and was very excited about the possibility of representing the territory in international competition as a V.I. National Track and Field Team member. He stated that he will now focus on sprinting as the football season has ended.
Williams is one of three V.I. track and field athletes at South Carolina State including: Seymour Walter and V.I. National 800m and 4 x 400m relay record holder Terry Charles. The Virgin Islands has eight track and field athletes in the MEAC Conference.
The Virgin Islands Track and Field Federation also announced today that V.I. National Team Member Seymour Walter was impressive in his first outdoor college meet. Walter, a freshman at South Carolina State University, finished first in the 800m at the Palmetto Classic Track Meet in Park West—Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina on March 11. Walter’s time of 1:53.80 is a personal record and qualifies him for the World University Games coming up in China this summer. Walters also finished first in the mile and broke the school record with a time of 4:26.47.
VITFF officials are most impressed with his performance in the 800m as he is on target to qualify for the Pan Am Games as he continues to progress after running 1:57.91 in the MEAC Conference Championships. Officials are aware of and impressed with his versatility as he has put in times in distances from 400m to the mile indoors. The VITFF is hoping to field a strong 4 x 400m relay team in the Pan Am Games this year and Walters could be vital to that effort.
Walter is a graduate of the St. Croix Educational Complex High School. He is the brother of David Walter, the first V.I. Youth Olympics track and field athlete, and he is a multiple finalist at CARIFTA. A multiple V.I. National High School cross-country champion, he is a champion of the annual 3 Kings Mile and other V.I. road races.