Brooklyn NY -- Pratt Institute, Brooklyn (1/30/16)… From an initial field of thousands, some 230 girls and young women from elementary school through college and beyond have emerged as top point-scorers in their grade and age divisions, to earn their way their way to the finals of the 42^nd annual Colgate Women’s Games.

 

From Georgia to Massachusetts, some of the nation’s best athletic talent persevered through four preliminary meets and a semi finals at Pratt, many improving each week and scoring their personal best late in the series.

 

In the High School Division Saturday, long term Shot Put star Egypt Parker of St. Catherine High School in the Bronx, tossed 14.00 at the Semi Finals, after setting a new High School record of 14.665M at the third preliminary meet with the division’s best toss in the Games’ history.  Shayla Sanders of Young Women’s Leadership School in Queens finished undefeated through the series with her season’s best 1500 meters, (4:54.37)

 

Also of note in the High School Division, each member of the national champion Paul Robeson High School relay team placed first in her event; Charnice Anderson won the 55M in 7.276, retaking the lead from Iantha Wright of St. John’s Prep in Queens (7.316); Alyssa Sandy made it a perfect season with a 55 meter hurdles win in 8.212; Latoya Stewart won the 200 meters in 25.985; and Amanda Crawford also finished undefeated with another win in the 400 meters in 56.732.

 

In the Mid School division, Brianna Brown of Bronx Latin Middle School, finished first in the 200 meters in 25.632; Nyla Harrell of Laboratory Charter School in Philadelphia, surprised the field with a first place win in 7.454; and Lauryn Heskin of Floral Park Memorial Mid School finished undefeated in the 1500 meters with a semi-finals win in her season’s best race (4:42.53); and Avery Lewis of Wynnewood, PA, often referred to as the nation’s fastest girl her age for the last three years, finished undefeated in the 55M in 7.757. 

 

Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint thanked all of this year’s participants, coaches and families, for their commitment to the sport and said the Games’ are not just about top talent but open to all girls, even those who have never competed in a track meet before.  “The Colgate Women’s Games put these special young people in the spotlight for their achievements and encourages them to strive each meet toward their personal best, while empowering them with self-esteem that will last a lifetime,” she said.

 

Complete results for all six divisions; Elementary A & B, Mid School, High School, College/Open and 30’s plus will appear at colgategames.com byTuesday, February 1, 2016; as well as a list of finalists who will compete at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory, NYC on Saturday, February 13, 2016, where trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company are awarded to top place finishers in each grade division.   The Games’ goal is also about the importance of continued education.  All finalists in grade divisions must submit their attendance records, and an essay to the meet director to be eligible to compete.  The essay topic will appear online by Friday, February 5, 2016.

 

The Colgate Women’s Games have produced more than 20 Olympians, hundreds of age/grade division national champions, and countless changed lives. Each year, High school participants are among the most heavily recruited athletes by colleges and universities across the nation. Coaches, recruiters, athletes and fans can follow scores each week at Colgategames.com.

 

Tickets to the Armory finals are free by request at Colgategames.com.