Samantha John took down Chantel Scatliffe's 12 year old 800 meters record by running 2:18.79. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Samantha John broke Chantel Scatliffe’s 12-year old 800 meters national record, while sprinter Britney Wattley qualified for the World Jr. Championships in the 200 meters, with a National Youth and BVI Scholastic record, as several athletes also recorded personal bests during the weekend Austin Sealey Classic in Barbados. John, 17, took down Scattliffe’s, 800 meter mark of 2 minutes 19.6 seconds which had been on the books since July 1995, with a semifinal run of 2:18.79, in only her second time at the distance. Wattley became the fourth BVI athlete to qualify for the July 8-13, World Jr. Championships in Poland, by winning the Under 17 Girls half lap in 24.55 seconds, which broke Ashley Kelly’s National Youth and BVI Scholastic Record of 24.61.

University of Illinois eyeing sprinter Ashley Kelly. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—The University of Illinois Fighting Illini is avidly recruiting British Virgin Islands sprinter and World Jr. Championships 200 meters qualifier Ashley Kelly, who returned from visiting the school on Sunday, where she spent four days on a recruiting trip. Kelly who turned 17 a day after the Carifta Games where she qualified for the July 8-13, World Jr. Championships in Poland, has run seasons best in the 100, 200 and 400 meters and contributed a leg to the territory’s 4 x 400 meter national record setting squad. So far this season, Kelly has posted career best times of 12.21 and 56.24 in the 100 and 400 meters and came within .03 of her 200 meters best after running 24.64.

TORTOLA—The British Virgin Islands Amateur Athletic Association will host its first Youth and Jr. Championships on the new 400 meters Mondo track at the A. O. Shirley Recreation Grounds on May 17. The meet will also celebrate World Athletics Day. Events will range from the 100 to 1500 meters for boys and girls. The meet will be one in a series used to select athletes for the upcoming Leeward Islands Youth and Jr. Championships later in the season. It will also be use to see where some athletes are with their preparations for the July 18-19, Caribbean Union of Teachers Games which the BVI will host.

After handing out awards, Tahesia Harrigan celebrates with Victor Ludorum Alliston Blyden and Britney Wattley. Photo>Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Despite a busy five days at home where she was honored for winning the territory’s first medal at the IAAF World Championships level, Tahesia Harrigan found time to complete a training session as she prepares to make her outdoor debut at the Hampton Games in Trinidad on May 17. Harrigan who departed on Sunday, described her trip as ‘fascinating.’ “It was fun and exhausting at the same time, but it felt good to be recognized by so many people in the country,” she said, noting there are lots of expectations. “People are looking up to you, they are expecting a lot from you and I’m expecting a lot from myself."

The clock says it all about Britney Wattley's 200 meters. Photo.Dean "The Sportsman" Greenaway

TORTOLA—Elmore Stoutt High School senior Britney Wattley wanted to end her high school career by joining her sister DeAnna in winning the Victrix Ludorum award as the highest scoring female athlete during the Apr 24-25, inter-house sports day competition. She also wanted to leave her name—and did she ever. In an athletic display never before seen in the annual competition that returned for the first time since 2004, Wattley, 15, not only helped Carlisle House to its first title since 1988, but was associated with five of the fastest times ever run during the competition. She captured the 100 meters in 12.39 seconds into a negative 3-5 mph headwind, demolished the 200 meter mark with a time of 24.70, and then ran a personal best 57.27 in the 400 meters.