Tracey opts for UTech

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

Outstanding junior athlete, Ristananna Tracey of Edwin Allen High, is set to attend the University of Technology (UTech) in September.

Tracey, named the most valuable athlete at the 2011 GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys and Girls' Championships, will pursue a degree in sports management at the Old Hope Road-based institution. She is looking forward to her new school and has no regrets about staying at home instead of attending college overseas.

"I think I have made the best decision to stay home, as with my multiple talents, going overseas would have been a negative choice because I would not have got the chance to concentrate on the one event I want to do, because at the college level overseas it is about doing all these multiple events in order to get points, which in the end would have burnt me out," said Tracey, who will be concentrating on the 400 metres hurdles.

world-class athletes

At UTech, Tracey will be taking instructions from top senior coach, Stephen Francis, who is also the coach of MVP Track Club. In the 400 metres she will also be rubbing shoulders with World and Olympic champion Melaine Walker and last year's Diamond League winner Kaliese Spencer.

"I know that I will be training with world-class athletes but I am prepared for the challenge," she said.

Tracey also spoke about her seven years at Edwin Allen and expressed her regret at not being able to help her school to win an overall title at Boys and Girls' Championships.

"It is sad to leave Edwin Allen as this is where it all began, but in life one has to move on and, hopefully, I will be able to set the pace for other athletes," she added.

Her long-time coach, Michael Dyke, said Tracey's move to stay home instead of going overseas was the "best decision".

"It is the best decision because in staying here, both herself and the country will benefit as she will not have to think about the rigours of college overseas where she has to compete indoors and outdoors, as she is a special talent, and talent like this we need to nurture it properly," said Dyke, who stated that Tracey is the most talented athlete he has ever coached in high school.

Tracey has had an outstanding 2011. She has done personal-best times in the 400m (52.38), 800m (2:05.95) and 400m hurdles (55.81). At the Penn Relays, she broke the 400 metres hurdles record and ran two great anchor legs in the 4x400m, which was third, and the 4x800m, which was won by Edwin Allen.