The Virgin Islands’ (VI) only medallist at the 2025 Junior Pan Am Games is encouraging others to shoot for the stars.

Jaleel N. Croal, who won silver in the 200m and bronze in the 100m on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and Wednesday, August 20, 2025, respectively, said he is elated following his performance at the games being held in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Super grateful to God

Croal, in an interview following his final race, said, “I was just grateful just because I had a long season and to be able to do something like this around these times is amazing, and I'm super grateful to God and whatnot for giving me the ability to do all these things.”

During his 200m race, he ran 20.39- a time that beat the Games’ 200m record of 20.51.

The young sprinter said he is also “happy” that he can show the young people that anything is possible.

His advice to the youth is, “Believe in themselves and just shoot for the stars, shoot for the stars.”