Tuesday, April 29, 2008

OMAR BRYAN WINS PENN RELAYS DISCUS BRONZE

Big Bryan Led the Way
Munro College has returned from the 115th Penn Relays Carnival a bit lighter in the medal category than we had hoped for. We did not return empty handed, however, as reigning CAC U-17 Discus Champion and Record Holder, Omar Bryan, took third place in the High School Boys Discus Competition with a throw of 50.48m (165-7). This placed him first among all Jamaican athletes entered in the event. We offer up special congratulations to Omar, his coach Dr. Gwyn Jones and Michael Vassell who helped guide all the Jamaican throwers during the competition in Philadelphia.

We started out well initially on the track. In the 4x100m heat we were ahead by a tremendous distance and were well on our way to a season's beast in the region of 41.5 or better when our anchor man, Moses Watkis, strained his hamstring muscle and bravely limped across the line for 2nd place in a time of 43.51 (click here for video - MC is in Lane 2). While we had no injuries for the 4x400m a lack of focus possibly led to the rather pedestrian time of 3:21:50 almost a full four seconds below our season's best of 3:17:72 (click here for video).

We now move onto a possible lane in this weekend's Jamaica Invitational and then onto the National Junior Trials, which will be held separately from the Seniors this year on June 13th and 14th.

We thank everyone for their support over the year and feel confident that our student-athletes got good exposure as we have had initial inquiries from Norfolk State University and North Carolina A&T University. Omar Bryan is now also on the radar screen of a few colleges as he was the best of the local athletes in the discus.

We must say a "Big Respect" to the Old Boys that made it to the meet: Garfield Comrie (Western Union), Weldon "Perro" Maddan, Damion "Missah C" Campbell, Escoffery "Scaffo" Thomas, "Trouble" Rowe, David Knight, Raymond "Foggy" Farquharson and David "Baddaz" Atkinson. We must also say a big thanks to that indomitable organization, Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB). TJB and its legion of volunteers and sponsors ensured all schools found safe and affordable accommodations along with free transportation and meals. We are reminded during times of crisis of the strength of the Jamaican Spirit and Brotherhood. TJB consistently reaffirms these virtues each and every year and as such they make us more proud to be Jamaican.

Best Regards,
B.C. Hayden
Team Manager

No comments: