Dominique Maloney takes off in her 400 meter heat where she ran 58.77 seconds. Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—There were more people in the stands at the Joao Havelange Stadium than live in the British Virgin Islands, when the territory’s novice athletes Dominique Malone and Leniece Lewis, competed in last night’s 400 meters and 100 hurdles respectively.

Despite expected nervousness, both walked off with track with the second best times of their careers, after running 58.77 and 15.10 seconds respectively.

“I felt pleased. I had a wonderful start, but coming down the home stretch, it kind of killed me,” said Maloney in her first full season of running. “It wasn’t the time I expected to run, but I ended my season pretty well.”

Except for St. Croix’s Lavern Jones who ran from lane two while she had eight, Maloney said she wasn’t aware that former world  and Pan Am Games defending champions Ana Guevera of Mexico, was in her race. “Wow. I didn’t know anything about her rest of them,” she said. “The experience was nice. Never mind those girls being world class and things like that, I enjoyed it.”

Leniece Lewis clears a hurdle en route to running her second best time of 15.10 seconds. Photo: Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

Lewis said she was nervous even before getting to the track. “I’ve never competed in a competition this size before,” said Lewis who began competing in the hurdles in March. “I wish I could have gotten another personal best but, it was close. But, I realize you have to come in with excellent times and you have to work hard to get them. A lot of the drills I saw the other girls doing and several other things, I took notes and I realize that I can be doing them also.”

Both Maloney and Lewis, said for them to improve, they have to make greater commitments. “You have to be committed to doing what you said you are supposed  to do—your pushups and sit ups—the things that will strengthen you.”