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‘I Just Unlocked Another Level!’ Jaleel Croal Embraces Role as BVI’s New Sprint Standard
Written by Leighton Levy. Posted in Athletics. | 06 June 2025 | 2434 Views
Tags: Bvi, Ncaa East Regionals, Jaleel Croal

When Jaleel Croal crossed the line in 19.95 seconds at the NCAA East Regionals in Jacksonville, Florida, the time itself made headlines. He became the first man from the British Virgin Islands to break 20 seconds in the 200 metres—an historic feat. But what has emerged in the days since is the story of an athlete who’s only just starting to believe what the clock has confirmed.

“I couldn’t believe it,” the 22-year-old said, reflecting on the moment. “I just kept looking at the board to see if it would change—if it was going to say 20. But it stayed. And when I realised it was real, the emotion was just… all over the place. I was shocked. I was proud. It didn’t even feel real at the time.”

What made the run even more astonishing was how sudden the jump had been. Just two weeks earlier, Croal had broken the national record with 20.28 at the American Conference Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina. That performance had fulfilled a season goal. The sub-20? That was something else.

“I skipped from 20.28 straight to 19.95,” he said, still sounding surprised. “I never ran 20.1 or 20.0—I went straight into the 19s. It’s crazy to me. And I know I can do it again. I messed up in that race—my hip shifted. So I feel like there’s more in me.”

Croal’s sudden leap into sprinting’s elite class is the result of more than just physical maturity. The athlete who once ran joyfully through junior competitions—winning the U17 200m title at the 2017 CARIFTA Games and taking bronze in the 100m—is now fully immersed in the discipline required of world-class performance.

“Back then, I was just having fun. I didn’t take the sport seriously—I just enjoyed it. But once I started running faster, I had people telling me, ‘You can really take this somewhere.’ That’s when things changed,” he explained. “College made it a business. You have to eat right, sleep right, train smart. I started lifting weights. This is only my second year lifting. I never touched weights back home. Everything was new.”

The physical gains have been matched by a shift in mindset.

“The biggest change has been mental. Now I know I have the talent to do something in the world. I’m not surprised by the time—I’m confident I can do it again and again. Right now, I’m not even chasing times. I’m running to beat people.”

With the NCAA Championships looming, Croal says his focus is simple: make the finals—in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay.

“That’s the goal. I’ve always wanted an NCAA trophy. If I can get into the final, anything can happen. That’s where my head’s at,” he revealed.

Beyond the track, Croal is increasingly aware of the impact his rise is having at home in the BVI, where a wave of talent that includes Kyron McMaster, Adaejah Hodge, and Chantel Malone continues to inspire a new generation.

“It means a lot to be the example now. I’m someone they can look at and say, ‘He’s from here—and he did it.’ That’s powerful,” he said. “Even before I ran this 19, kids were asking me how I got faster. That’s not easy to answer—it’s different for everyone. But I always tell them train hard, stay focused, and set small goals. That’s how you grow.”

His own inspirations came from home too. K'Cei Moses was one of the first older athletes he looked up to—“He was going to CARIFTA and running fast”—and he remembers watching Kyron McMaster compete and thinking, “I want to do better than him—even though he’s done great.”

The reaction since his 19.95 has been overwhelming.

“My friends back home asked if I’m even human,” Croal laughed. “They’re shocked but proud. My dad and brothers too—they’re super proud. Everyone’s just like, ‘Wow, someone from here actually did that.’ It’s a good feeling.”

From being the kid who once dreamed of running 10.5 to now being the man others want to emulate, Croal understands the power of visibility. And he’s determined to keep pushing that bar higher.

“Every level I reach, I just set a new goal,” he said. “Now I’m the guy people want to be like—and that’s special. But I still feel like I’m just getting started. I just unlocked another level.”