TSS off to Penn Relays once again

The Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSS) relay team is off, once again, to Pennsylvania, USA, where they will compete in the Penn Relays.{{more}}

This is the second consecutive year that the TSS is sending a team to the prestigious event which features some of the World’s best high schools’ athletes competing on the same track.

The team, comprising eleven athletes and four officials, left the country yesterday morning for Pennsylvania for the competition, which runs from April 26 to 28.

The athletes making the journey are Brandon Parris, Kerina Hooper, Nicky-Ann Stephens, Maranda Spencer, Kezlon Providence, Desron Wilson, Shaquile Browne, Shafiqua Maloney, Abiola Hinds, Rosannia Stephens and Ronique Dowers.

Travelling with the athletes are: Coach – Godfrey “Fuzzy” Harry, Assistant Coach – Camal Hunt, Manager – Paulette Williams and Chaperone – Dawana Balcombe.

Sponsorship for the team’s journey was made possible through the assistance of the National Lottery Authority.

Marketing Manager of the National Lotteries Authority Anthony Dennie encouraged the young athletes strive to do their best and at the same time maintain a level of discipline.

“Once you do that, your ability on the track, combined with excellent discipline, is only going to augur well for you as an athlete and also for your school,” he said.

Senator in the Ministry of Sports Elvis Charles told the team during a press briefing last Friday that going to the Penn Relay for the second consecutive year should be a great honour.

“You were selected because you were special… You are ambassadors of St Vincent and the Grenadines and we expect you to go out there and work hard.

“This is not a joyride but a time to hone your skills,” he added.

Charles, on behalf of the Government, wished the team the very best in competition.

Meanwhile, Coach Harry told SEARCHLIGHT that, based on the vigorous training that the team has undergone over the past year, he is confident that the team will perform at their best.

“We’ve been training hard,” he said,” adding that he hopes the TSS team can do a repeat of last year’s competition when they won their heats.

“Maybe we can also increase our rankings this year,” he added.

The TSS team will be competing in the High School Girls’ 4×100 Small Schools on Thursday and the High School Girls’ 4×400 also on Thursday.

The boys will then take to the track on Friday, where they will participate in the High School Boys’ 4×100 Small Schools event, followed by the High School Boys’ 4×400 on Saturday.(AA)