Jones-Ferrette sets track record in Houston
Published: February 2, 2012
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U.S. Virgin Islands sprinter Laverne Jones-Ferrette is already in top form a few weeks into 2012 track and field season.
She ran a time of 7.08 seconds and took first place in the 60-meter finals at the University of Houston Indoor Invitational and Multi's last weekend. Her time set a new stadium record at the University of Houston Field House.
There were nine preliminary heats that included 64 sprinters from across the country. Jones-Ferrette recorded the fastest time in the preliminaries with a 7.22, while fellow St. Croix track and field athlete Allison Peter, a Texas University sophomore, recorded the third-fastest preliminary time of 7.46.
In the finals, Jones-Ferrette took first, followed by former record holder Murielle Ahoure (7.23) and then Peter (7.40).
Next up for Jones-Ferrette is a trip to Europe where she will compete at the International Association of Athletics Federations Permit Series in the 60-meter event. She will also join USVI standout Tabarie Henry, a 400-meter specialist, at the IAAF World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey, from March 9-11.
That same weekend, Peter will compete at the 2012 NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships in Nampa, Idaho.
Henry took third in the 600-yard finals with a time of 1:11:75 at the U.S. Open Track and Field Meet at Madison Square Garden last weekend in New York City. Rennie Quow of Trinidad finished first and out-leaned the United States' Bershawn Jackson at the line, 1:11.20 to 1:11.31, followed by Henry.
Henry and Peter (200-meter) have already qualified for the 2012 Olympics in London, while Jones-Ferrette, a two-time Olympian, is expected to hit a qualifying mark during the indoor season. USVI triple jumper Muhammad Halim has also punched his ticket for London.
Lakish Plante went 3-for-3 for the Caribs and was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. He scored on a Tafari Carter double to trim the Barracudas' lead to 5-3 in the fifth, but that was the end of Central's rally.
Daniel Franco added a hit for Central, who had Ashante Lawrence on the mound.
"It was a good start for both teams, and we're looking forward to another competitive season," St. Croix IAA baseball commissioner Morgan Quigley said.
No games in St. Thomas-St. John District
Ivanna Eudora Kean and Charlotte Amalie High School were scheduled to take the field at Lionel Roberts Stadium on Wednesday, but the district varsity season opener was again delayed.
"I've talked with the coaches and they said they are not ready, so we have to give them more time," St. Thomas-St. John IAA baseball commissioner Steve Parris said Wednesday afternoon. "So there will be no varsity baseball on St. Thomas until Monday."
The varsity schedule has been released three times since December without a single pitch being thrown. An inter-island doubleheader was scheduled to be held last weekend on St. Thomas, but that was postponed and rainy weather altered the schedule two weeks ago.
"There's been some travel issues and other conflicts, so we're trying to work it out," Parris said.
Monday's game between CAHS and Kean High will start at 6 p.m. at Lionel Roberts. The St. Croix varsity teams are scheduled to visit St. Thomas on Feb. 9 and 10.
- Contact sports writer Aaron Gray at 714-9102 or email agray@dailynews.vi.
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