Cole: I am back stronger and better

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania

“I AM back stronger and better and we are ready to defend our Penn Relays 4x100 metres relay title.”

Those were the strong words from Edwin Allen High School’s outstanding sprinter Serena Cole when The Gleaner caught up with her on Wednesday shortly after training.

Cole, the World Under 20 100-m silver medallist, was on course for something extra special at the ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) after a very relaxed and easy 11.17 seconds clocking to win her 100-m preliminary round race, but a hamstring injury forced her out of the final and the remainder of the Championships. Fans were expecting a mega clash in the 100-m final between herself and Hydel High’s Alana Reid who went on to win the Class One 100-m final in a national junior record of 10.92.

Since Champs, Cole has not been seen on the track, but after good work-outs in training sessions she is now fully healed and back to her best. She will be hoping to help her team retain its Penns 4x100-m title and also keep their unbeaten run in the event since 2014.

Very confident

“Since my Class-Four day I have been on Edwin Allen’s winning relay teams and I am very confident that it will remain so after Saturday as we will definitely defend our title,” said Cole.

Coach Michael Dyke is expected to insert Class Three athlete Theianna Lee Terrelonge in the team after seeing his Class One team lose to Hydel three times this season.

“With or without Theianna Lee we are confident of beating Hydel as at Champs I was missing and we lost narrowly. I am back now after that performance from my Class One teammates and we are set to go all the way,” Cole said.

According to Cole she let her fans down at Champs and is ready to make up for that.

“I know that I let my fans down at Champs as they really came out to support me, but I am making a promise to them that come this Saturday I am ready to make up for that by giving them a special performance,”she said.

Hydel have won the 4x400-m at the Penn Relays, but are yet to do so in the 4x100-m.