Russell wins as UTech stand out at Penns

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

The University of Technology (UTech) led the way among tertiary institutions at last weekend's staging of the 117th Penn Relays Carnival in Philadelphia.

World Junior 100 metres bronze medallist, Carrie Russell, captured gold in the collegiate women's 100 metres Championship event. She turned back the two top United States collegiate sprinters - defending champion Lakya Brookins from the Universty of South Carolina and Louisiana State University's (LSU) Samoy Hackett - to win in 11.29 seconds, as Brookins (11.39) and Hackett ((11.43) finished second and third, respectively.

"I am very happy for the win and I am also pleased with my time," said Russell, the former St Thomas Technical student. "This is a trend for UTech, as whenever the institution enters an athlete in the event they are successful. This is good because with exams now under way it has affected my training and as soon as this is finished I will be stepping up my programme big time as I look forward to the rest of the season," concluded Russell.

4x100 relay team

Russell was also a member of the UTech 4x100 relay team that finished second in the college final in 45.21 seconds. Virginia Tech Universty won in 45.01 seconds. The other members of the UTech team were Andrea Reid, Veneisha Baker and Natasha Morrison. G.C. Foster College finished fourth in 45.33.

In the men's competition, UTech also had two big performances.

They won the 4x100 and ended fourth in the 4x400. In the 4x100 metres, the quartet of Winston Barnes, Jacques Harvey, Nicholas Watson and Darrien Bent clocked 39.35. Their time was the fastest among all college teams at the meet. Only LSU, which clocked 38.77 to win the 4x100 metres Championship of America finals, ran faster. G.C. Foster College (40.39) were fourth and the Universty of West Indies took sixth in 40.66.