MUNRO ATHLETES WIN INAUGURAL SCHOLARSHIP

MCTF TAKES TWO OF THE VERY FIRST AT UWI

Two graduating Munro College Track and Field team members, Cosmo "Spotty" Stephens (Team Captain and Head of Dickenson House) and Andrene "Petrol" Nelson (Head Prefect) have won inaugural track scholarships to the University of the West Indies (UWI). They were acknowledged along with three other scholarship recipients yesterday at a press conference held in the UWI Visitors' Lounge.

Both have been natural leaders throughout their careers at Munro and we have no doubt they will continue to be so at UWI, where Cosmo will pursue a degree in Management Studies and Andrene in International Relations. Spotty and Petrol entered Munro on the same day and have been members of the school's track team since their first year. They developed deep records of accomplishment over the years, particularly at the Western Championships where both have picked up numerous titles in the jumps, middle distance and sprint events.


MCTF is incredibly proud of these young men and congratulate them on their fantastic achievement. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Regards,
BC Hayden

PICS: (L-R in both) Cosmo Stephens and Andrene Nelson

***More to come later***

USAIN BOLT DROPS A 9.76 BOMB !!!

BOLT STEALS THE SHOW (and this report)
Munro College Track and Field performed its last relay event for the 2008 season at the Jamaica International Invitational last night at the National Stadium. We fielded a team of Andrene "Petrol" Nelson, Shawn Manboard, Jodirae Blackwood and Rolando "Midnight" Reid in the High School Boys 4x400m and finished 4th in a time of 3:19:32. We commend the team and coaches on a much improved season and wish them the best for 2009 and beyond.

And now for the thunder. Usain Bolt dropped a 9.76 (1.8w) over 100m last night and squarely captured the hearts and minds of a nationalistic Jamaican crowd. It was a performance that left the casual fan elated and the sport's "intelligencia" awe struck. With Asafa Powell sustaining a disturbing early season injury many were left to believe that a particular US sprinter would canter his way through to the gold medal at the Olympic Games later this August. Young Bolt, 21, has quite possibly put that nervous theory to rest. We sincerely hope that Asafa bounces back to full-fitness to face Bolt at this year's trials and the world in Beijing.

THE MYTH BREAKER


Needless to say that this recent phenomenon bodes well for our national sprint relay team as well. We now have the deepest national pool in years, perhaps ever, with Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt, Michael Frater, Marvin Anderson, Steve Mullings, Nesta Carter, Dwight Thomas, Chris Williams and Clement Campbell all running 10.1x or better. With a group like this one might eschew desire of the August flat final for the one in late June right here at the Stadium. It should be the best National Trials ever.

It was good for the young Munronians to witness such a feat from one of their very own from Western Jamaica. Bolt, the former William Knibb athlete, continues to perpetuate the sport's maxim of "speed begets speed and excellence begets excellence". What the young ones see, the young ones do and will eventually do better. Both Rolando "Midnight" Reid and Adam "Redz" Cummings were in the stadium last night. Reid won last year's Class III 100m final and Cummings this year's in a record time of 10.91. Both should have been duly inspired. On a similar note, Omar Bryan, recent discus bronze medalist at the Penn Relays, performed the role of "Measuring Official" during the shot put event won by national record holder Dorian Scott (20.51m).

Until next time, enjoy the video of Bolt's Bomb above (courtesy of Raffic Shaw). Complete results for the meet can be found here: 2008 Jamaica International Invitational Meet

Photo Source: Trackshark.com

B.C. Hayden ('87)
Team Manager

Bolt Follows with 9.92 at T&T's Hampton Games

MUNRO HEADS OFF TO PENN RELAYS TODAY

Back Row (L-R) Richard Wilson (Coach), Omar Bryan, Shawnterry Manboard, Jodirae Blackwood, Andrene Nelson (Head Prefect), Moses Watkis, Steve Cole (Coach); Front Row (L-R) Adam Cummings, Erroll Davis; Absent - Rolando Reid (US Embassy)

A ten man delegation from Munro College Track and Field will leave the Donald Sangster International Airport today for Philadelphia. Included in that number are:

Athletes
Jodirae Blackwood (4x100 & 4x400m - ran 48.4 at Champs)
Omar Bryan (Discus - Current CAC U-17 Record Holder)
Adam Cummings (Rewarded for winning National CIII 100m title in record time of 10.91 - not competing)
Erroll Davis (4x400m - 2nd Yr CII - 1:56.9h over 800m)
Shawnterry Manboard (4x100 & 4x400m - 10.7h and 50.4h)
Andrene Nelson (4x100m & 4x400m - Head Prefect - Relay Animal 49.1 over 400m)
Rolando Reid (4x100m & 4x400m - 10.6h - '07 CIII 100m Champ)
Moses Watkis (4x100m & TJ - 10.7h - D'Cup Striker and National U-20 Invitee)

Coaches
Richard Wilson
Steve Cole

We wish them all the best and thank everyone that helped make this trip possible. The guys looked good at the Penn Camp held this past weekend at Stadium East. Second leg man on the mile relay team, Jodi-Rae Blackwood, had the flu and was rested. Other than that all went well with Nelson and Reid clocking 49.1 and 49.4 over 400m in a 90% time trial. Omar Bryan threw for a few hours by the St. Hugh's field with Dr. Jones, Michael Vassell and Rory Marsh. He left with a best of 51.50m that would have put him 5th in last year's competition.

Let's remember that the last time Munro went to the Penn Relays in 2006 we won the 4x100m for High School Boys (Small Schools). Here's the video of that race to refresh your memory.

I will try and keep everyone updated on how things are going for the fellows over the weekend. In the meantime feel free to browse the Flotrack Video site at the end of each day for videos of every race. A link to the results can also be found below.

1. FLOTRACK VIDEO - PENN RELAYS COVERAGE 2008 (Updated at end of each day)

The 2008 4x100m Heat (anchor leg pulls)

The 2008 4x400m Heat

2. PENN RELAYS RESULTS (2008)

MC Takes 5 at Gibson 2008

Bodes well for Champs
MC Track and Field arrived at Gibson 2008 still buzzing from the West Champs victory earlier in the week. With a slight injury to Class II double middle-distance winner, Erroll Davis, we were unable to field our 4x800 team which has yet to touch the track this season. However, we were able to field teams in the 4x100m all classes, 4x200m Class II and the 4x400m Open.

We made it to the finals in three events, the 4x100m Class III and II, and the 4x400m Open. All three teams placed fifth in their respective finals. Good word must be mentioned of the incredible lead-off leg run by Adam Cummings that saw him covering the athletes from STETHS and Wolmers in the two lanes ahead of him.


Again, there was a bit of controversy with regards to how we finished in the 4x400m open, but pictures tell no lies. We were given a DNF (did not finish) result but the picture clearly shows that we finished in 5th place (click on picture to see larger image).

All in all we had a very good meet as we haven't performed this well at Gibson for quite a few years. This also bodes well for Boys Champs in three weeks (March 12 - 15).

MCTF GIBSON RELAY 2008 VIDEOS (Click on links to view)
Boys 4x400m Open
Boys Class II 4x100m Final
Boys Class III 4x100m Final

Photos: Top Left - Petrol Nelson to Moses Watkiss (Courtesy of Lippy); Centre - 4x400m Photo Finish