The team of Athletes who created history for the Virgin Islands at this year’s North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Age Group Championship were welcomed back home with celebration and a brief ceremony with the promise of a grand motorcade soon. Photo: VINO

Coach Ericca Frederick was also present got emotional to see how dedicated the team was and the support they had from families and the territory. Photo: VINO

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Sport, Agriculture and Fisheries Dr the Honorable Natalio D. Wheatley ( R7) who was among the welcoming party, yesterday, December 20, 2021, who congratulated the team while informing them of bigger celebrations to come for their accomplishments.

The team; four athletes and two coaches, returned to the territory via the Road Town Ferry Jetty where they were met with loud crowd cheering in celebrations as they also waved the Virgin Islands flag.  Among the welcome party was the President of the BVIOC, Mr. Ephrim E. Penn.

Morton & McMaster take 8 medals  

While in Managua, Nicaragua, Jah’kyla Morton won the overall Under-15 Girls Heptathlon event with 4,198 points and A’Sia McMaster finished second with 3,745 points landing them four gold medals and four silver medals altogether. This made their combined points the U15 Girls division winners. 

Morton’s total points of 4,198 broke the territory’s 36-year-old record when she recorded the highest score ever in NACAC Age Group Championships for a VI athlete.

On the other hand, the lads' combined points won them the top place in the Under 13 boys division. Othniel Gillings won the U13 Boys Pentathalon event gaining 3,189 points, while  Ty’Rique Charles came in sixth with 278 points.

One of two coaches who accompanied the team, Mr Ralston Henry aka ‘Grandfather’, said it was no surprise how well the team performed.

Hard work paid off - Coach Henry 

“We just wanted to know how close we were to the team competition because we know that after day-one Jah’kyla and Othniel were going to win the individual competition.”

My Henry added, “These kids have been working for the last year for this meet and it really is a lot of hard work. Hard work, this is what you see here today.”

Coach Ericca Frederick was also present got emotional to see how dedicated the team was and the support they had from families and the territory.

In addition, a third coach who worked hard with the boy was Carl Barrett, he did not travel with the team, however, was on spot to welcome the group home.