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Nation’s Best Track Stars Head to Semi-Finals of 44th Annual Colgate Women’s Games

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- From an initial field of thousands, some 445 girls and young women from elementary school through college and beyond, have scored points to earn a spot in the semi-finals of the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games Track and Field Series. From Georgia to Massachusetts, these gifted young competitors include some of the nation's top-ranked athletes in their events and divisions.

In the High School Division Friday:
- Sprint sensation Iantha Wright of Queen's Collegiate won the 55M, setting her own personal record in a fast 7.02.
- Hurdles champion Sophia Meyers of Queens High School of Teaching, finished undefeated with a win in 8.08, her fastest time of the series.
- In the 200M, Maya Cheatham of Queen's Young Women's Leadership School, won in 25.41. Chatham climbed all the way from 8th place at the first prelim to win with her personal best and the fastest time by anyone in the series so far.
- In the 400M, Jasmine Douglas Grant of Stroudsburg, PA crossed the tape in 58.37, with Brooklyn's Daniella Griffith of Medgar Evers College Prep, a close second in 58.75.
- New Jersey Junior Olympic Champion Athing Mu of Trenton High School scored another double win, with victories in the 800M (2:16.48) and the1500M (4:50.01).
- New York's Mariam Cisse of Promise Academy II, won the shot put with her season's best toss (11.79M).
- Brooklyn's My'Khiyah Williams of Benjamin Banneker cleared the high jump bar at 5'4" for the win.

In the Mid School Division Saturday:
- In the 55M and 200M, four-time record holder Avery Lewis of Wesstown School, PA finished another perfect season with another double win in (7.13) and (25.58).
- Hurdles champion Peyton Rollins of Andrews MS in Medford, MA finished undefeated with another personal best (8.25).
- In the 400M, Simone Kelly of Wissahickon MS in Ambler, PA remained undefeated with her win in 59.48, also a personal record. Eyota Bey of Cedarbrook MS in Wyncote, PA finished a close second in 59.68.
- In the 800M, New Jersey's Maameyaa Nyinah of Woodbridge MS scored an upset victory over last season's reigning champion Alina LaForest with a victory in 2:19.18. LaForest of Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester, PA finished a very close second in 2:19.41.
- Brooklyn's Rainn Sheppard of MS 313 heads to the semi-finals undefeated after her first place in 4:46.95.
- Rowan Houston of Rye Country Day School cleared the High Jump at 5'2"
- New Jersey's Melissa Aymil of Mendham, MS, remained undefeated in the shot put with a personal best toss of 11.34M.

Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint thanked all parents and coaches for their dedication, and encouragement throughout the preliminary meets. "We're so thankful to share in the privilege of helping your children discover and develop their abilities. To all those who are not semi-finalists, please know that each of you share in the success of our entire series, and we hope you've had a positive experience and will continue to pursue your academic and athletic goals," she said.

While the Colgate Women's Games have produced hundreds of national champions and boast 26 Olympians as alumnae, Toussaint says the Colgate Women's Games were founded to reach and impact the many thousands who don't draw the spotlight at the finish line.

"Countless participants who aren't making sports headlines are enjoying individual achievements that build self-esteem that will continue to have a positive impact throughout their lives," Toussaint said.

On Saturday, event officials paused to recognize one such special student that represents the thousands who are encouraged by a teacher, coach or parent to participate simply to learn to challenge themselves an atmosphere of friendly competition.

Eleven year-old Isabel Slippen of Pierre Van Cortlandt MS, Croton-on-the-Hudson, NY, first joined as an Elementary A competitor, and despite never earning points to move ahead to the semi-finals continued to return each week every year through mid school, where she still competes in the 800M and 1500M races. Officials noticed long ago how after her race, Isabel found her way to other competitors in her heats to offer congratulations with a handshake, high five or friendly hug and words of encouragement.

While many were brought to tears by the impromptu honor, Slippen herself seemed stunned. Toussaint said, "Isabel's kind spirit comes so naturally, and her friendly ritual is so genuine; her selfless encouragement and happiness for others' success is truly what we strive for at the Colgate Women's Games."

Saturday's emotional highlight was even more special with a surprise visit by founder Fred Thompson, who was pleased to watch his 44-year legacy still breeding this kind of success.

Results for all other divisions are available at colgategames.com, where a complete list of semi-finalists will appear on the home page on January 19, 2018.

Semi-finalist will compete on Saturday, January 27, 2018 to determine finalists who will compete at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory, NYC on Saturday, February 10, 2018, where trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company are awarded to top place finishers in each grade division.

Coaches, recruiters, athletes and fans can follow scores each week at http://www.colgategames.com/. Tickets to the Armory finals are free by request at colgategames.com or via email colgategamestix@gmail.com

*PHOTO 1: Send2press.com/300dpi/ 18-0116s2p-Isabel-Maria-300dpi.jpg
Photo 1 Caption - Mid school student Isabel Slippen of Hudson, NY shown with her mom Maria, was recognized for exemplary sportsmanship as officials noticed a long standing friendly ritual of encouragement of others after each race since joining as an elementary A competitor, at the final preliminary meet of the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games held at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY this weekend.

*PHOTO 2: Send2press.com/300dpi/18-0108s2p-wright-white-300dpi.jpg
Photo 2 Caption - Sprint champion Iantha Wright of Queens Collegiate wins the High School 55M In 7.02; her personal best; at the final preliminary meet of the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games this weekend at Pratt institute, Brooklyn, NY.

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Winter Storm Doesn’t Slow Pace as Thousands Brave the Worst and Find Their Best at Third Prelim of 44th Annual Colgate Women’s Games

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Pratt Institute: Thousands of young track stars braved the East Coast's historic snowstorm to compete at the third preliminary meet of nation's largest amateur track series for women, the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games. From Boston to Georgia, girls of all abilities from elementary school through college and beyond continued to improve, with many leaders achieving nationally ranked scores.

Friday in the High School division, sprint champion Iantha Wright of Jamaica, Queens, won the 55M in a fast 7.16, recapturing the lead from Manhattan's Brianna White of Leman High School who finished second in 7.21. Last week, White earned her first victory in two seasons chasing the reigning champion Wright, who's a year older and a year ahead in school. White also finished second in the 200M in 26.36, just behind Dominique Jackson of Bronx's Pelham Prep Academy who crossed the tape in 25.87 for the win.

Jackson is rising fast, improving from fourth place to win this weekend's Colgate Games 200M, then followed up Friday's victory with a personal season's record 200M time of 25.27 in the Women's Varsity division of the Hispanic Games on Saturday at the Armory Track, NYC. Her second place win there was especially notable for a field that included Colgate Women's Games' leaders Sophia Myers, Iantha Wright, and Brianna White finishing 3rd through 5th respectively.

Hurdles champion Sophia Myers of Queens High School of Teaching remains undefeated with a 55MH win in 8.28. Myers met new competition from a young Stephanie Graves, a 10th grader at Queen's High School of Law Enforcement and Public Safety, who competed in her first Colgate Games' hurdles event and came in second with her own personal record 8.56.

Jasmine Douglas-Grant of Stroudsburg High School, Pennsylvania won the 400M in 59.59; Brooklyn's Adia Palmer of Bishop Loughlin won the 800M in 2:19.25, as New Jersey' s distance champion Athing Mu opted to run only the 1500M this week, which she won in her best time of the series, 4:51.86. Mu's win was also her latest personal best, after 10th first place wins in major meets where she broke personal records in distances from the 400M to the mile, throughout all of 2017.

Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint said, "While our sports news generally reports on top-ranked leaders, thousands of girls of every ability are learning to challenge themselves each week to find their own 'personal bests,' and that's what the Colgate Women's Games are really about."

"Through more than four decades of competition, countless girls who didn't reach the finals or may not have even scored points are among our greatest untold success stories," adds Toussaint. "Regardless of how they finish, their memories and the lessons they learn on the track have a positive impact that lasts a lifetime."

Also on Friday, two-time Colgate Women's Games' High Jump record holder, My'khiyah Williams of Brooklyn's Benjamin Banneker school, cleared the bar at 5'4" for the win, and Shot Put champion 15 year-old Mariam Cisse of Manhattan's Promise Academy, won with a toss of 11.13M.

In the Mid School Division on Saturday, 12 yr-old Avery Lewis of Westtown School in West Chester, PA continues to prove she's among the nation's best, with a 55M win in 7.12, just .22 shy of setting a fifth Colgate Women's Games' record. For some perspective, that's less than 1/2 the time it takes to blink. Lewis made it a third double win, with a 200M first place finish in 25.37.

Peyton Rollins of Andrews Middle School remains undefeated in the 55MH with a win in 8.31. Rollins who travels all the way from Massachusetts also shared the track with Lewis in the 200M, finishing third in 26.88, just a flash behind Simone Kelly of Wissachickon MS, Ambler, PA who finished second in 26.83; Kelly won the 400M in 1:00.22, followed by Brooklyn's Tai Sheppard of the Dock Street School crossing the tape in 1:01.32; Sheppard also placed second in the hurdles behind Rollins in 8.37.

Alina LaForest of Drexel Neumann Academy, Chester PA won the 800M in 2:20.72; her third consecutive win, and placed second in the 1500M (4:55.97) behind Tai's sister Rainn Sheppard who placed first in 4:55.97.

The Mid School High Jump finished in a three way tie with Bronx's Bianca Staples, Kayley Lynch of Northstar Academy, Newark, NJ, and Selah Dungey of St. Peter Academy, River Edge, NJ all clearing 4'10"; and Melissa Aymil of Mendham MS in Brookside, NJ remains undefeated in the shot put after a toss of 10.87M, her best of the season and a new personal record.

On Sunday in the Elementary B division 55M, Following last week's tie, Brooklyn's Kaela Swift of Success Academy Bed-Stuy beat Philadelphia's Amirah Nesmith by 1/100 of a second in a photo finish that shows Swift won by a nose in 7.91 to Nesmith's 7.92.

In the 55MH, fifth place Kamilah Alabi of PS15 Queens, ran 10.67 for a first place win; In the 200M, Brianna Lindo of Queen's Riverton Street Charter School, also scored an upset victory, with a win in 28.6 over Kaela Swift (28.92); In the 400M and 800M Colgate Women's Games champion Damira Allen of Chester School of the Arts, Chester PA, retained a perfect season record with a third double win in the 400M (1:04.14) just ahead of Lindo (1:04.37), and the 800M in 2:26.87; and in the High Jump, Avery Hart of Pierce School, Brookline MA cleared the bar at 4'2" for her third consecutive win.

Additional results for College/Open and Elementary A and 30's Plus division events are available at colgategames.com/results.

Participation in the Colgate Women's Games is completely free. Girls and young women compete within their own age/grade divisions for ribbons, medals and points. Events include 55 meters, 55-meter hurdles, 200 meters, 400 Meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, high jump and shot put. Top point scorers advance to the Finals where they compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Four preliminary meets and a semi-finals at Pratt Institute determine who will compete at the finals at the New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory, New York Saturday, February 10, 2018, where trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company are awarded to top place finishers in each grade division.

Hopeful young track stars, parents and coaches can find information about the program at http://www.colgategames.com/.

*PHOTO for Media: Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0108s2p-wright-white-300dpi.jpg

*WEB PHOTO CAPTIONS:
(1) High School sprint champion Iantha Wright of Jamaica, Queens, wins the 55M in a fast 7.16, recapturing the lead from Manhattan's Brianna White of Leman High School who finished second in 7.21; at the 3rd preliminary meet of the nation's largest track and field series for women, the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games on Friday night at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y.

(2) Rainn Sheppard of MS313, Brooklyn, remains undefeated in the Mid School Division 1500M after her latest victory in 4:55.97, at the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Saturday.

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East Coast Track Stars Heat Up Cold New Year’s Eve Second Prelim of The 44th Annual Colgate Women’s Games

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Rising young stars and returning champions from all over the East Coast shared the spotlight throughout this holiday weekend at the second preliminary meets of the nation's largest women's amateur track and field series, the Colgate Women's Games. Extreme cold temps had little effect on top contenders, some who come from as far as New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia and Georgia, as they continue to improve an already fast national pace.

Friday in the High School division, Manhattan sprinter Brianna White of Leman High School stepped up a notch with an impressive double win in the 55M (7.24) and the 200m (25.89). Her 55M race was her first victory in two seasons over reigning champion Iantha Wright of Jamaica, Queens, and her 200M win earns White her fourteenth first place sprint victory in major meets throughout 2017.

Returning hurdles champion Sophia Myers of Queens High School of Teaching, won the 55MH in 8.21; continuing an undefeated streak that began week one of last season's series.

Brooklyn's Daniella Griffith of Medgar Evers Prep won the 400 Meters in 1:00.16; Athing Mu of Trenton High School in New Jersey scored her second consecutive double win with improved times in both distance events, crossing the tape first in the 800M (2:18.81) and 1500M (4:53.82). In the High Jump, with event champion My'Khiyah Williams out this week, Phoebe Myers of Young Women's Leadership School cleared the bar at 5'2" for the win; and Manhattan's Mariam Cisse won the Shot Put with a toss of 10.78M.

In the Mid School Division on Saturday, 12 yr-old Avery Lewis of Westtown School in West Chester, PA remains one of the fastest young sprinters in the nation, scoring another double win in the 55M (7.19) and 200M (25.15). The four-time Colgate Women's Games sprint record-holder's performance in the 200M was another personal record for Lewis. Having won the 55M at the first preliminary meet in another personal best (7.16), officials said her times are likely among the fastest in the nation for a twelve year-old this year.

Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint said, "Avery continues to bring her A game each season, and her participation has created an especially high level of excitement ever since she began competing in our Elementary A division. She's also an excellent student as well as a phenomenal athlete."

Toussaint adds that the Colgate Women's Games strive to retain a welcoming atmosphere for athletes of all abilities. "Our goal is to help girls of all ages build self-esteem through friendly competition, encouraging them to discover and then challenge their own limits," she said.

Toussaint said the Colgate Women's Games have become a proving ground, drawing top athletic talent and have produced hundreds of national champions, and with last summer's six alumnae Olympic Team USA, 26 former Olympians. More importantly, she adds they continue to have a positive effect on countless lives over more than four decades.

"The number of participants and the size of the crowds made up of families and friends, some who travel great distances is evidence the Colgate Women's Games continue to be such an important event, and we are so pleased that thousands of participants and their families chose to celebrate their New Year's weekend with us in Brooklyn this weekend."

In the Mid School Division on Saturday, Peyton Rollins of Andrews Middle School was among those who travelled the furthest to compete, all the way from Massachusetts to win the 55MH in 8.31. Rollins, who placed second overall at last year's Colgate Women's Games, had more than a dozen first place wins in hurdles races at major regional meets throughout 2017.

Simone Kelly of Wissahickon Middle School in Ambler, PA won the the 400M in 59.61; Last year's first place finalist Alina LaForest of Drexel Neumann Academy, Chester, PA won the 800M in 2:21.10; Brooklyn's Rainn Sheppard of MS 313 won the 1500M in 4:53.70; and Rowan Houston of Rye Country Day School cleared the High Jump bar at 5'2" for her second win and personal best jump. Melissa Aymil of Mendham Middle School in Brookside, NJ retains her lead in the shot put with a personal best toss of 10.65M.

Among Sunday, New Years Eve's Elementary School B division highlights; Philadelphia's Amirah Nesmith, last year's first place finalist in the 200M, ran a 55M tie with Brooklyn's Kaela Swift of Success Academy Bed-Stuy, both finishing in 7.9. Swift won the 55M at the first prelim in 7.88.

Damira Allen of Chester School of the Arts, Chester PA, last year's Colgate Women's Games' Division A 800M finals champion and Special Awards winner for "Outstanding Competitor....", now leads Division B after winning the 800M at Prelim 1 in 2:26.68 and Prelim 2 in 2:27.52. Both personal best times for the 10 year-old, multiple Gold-medal Junior Olympic champion. Allen has an astonishing record of more than 40 first place middle and distance race wins at major regional and national mets in her age division since 2015.

Additional results for College/Open and Elementary A and 30's Plus division events are available at colgategames.com/results.

Participation in the Colgate Women's Games is completely free. Girls and young women compete within their own age/grade divisions for ribbons, medals and points. Events include 55 meters, 55-meter hurdles, 200 meters, 400 Meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, high jump and shot put. Top point scorers advance to the Finals where they compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Four preliminary meets and a semi-finals at Pratt Institute determine who will compete at the finals at the New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory, New York Saturday, February 10, 2018, where trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company are awarded to top place finishers in each grade division. Hopeful young track stars, parents and coaches can find information about the program at http://www.colgategames.com/.

*Photo Caption: Philadelphia's Amirah Nesmith and Brooklyn's Kaela Swift sprint to a tie in the Elementary B division 55 Meters at the second preliminary meet of the 44th Annual Colgate Women's Games in Brooklyn, NY on Sunday.

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East Coast Track Stars Shine Through New Year’s Weekend with Fast Times at 43rd Annual Colgate Women’s Games

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Thousands of young athletes and their families and friends spent New Year's Weekend 2016/17 at the 43rd annual Colgate Women's Games. The nation's largest women's amateur track and field series featured some of the East Coast's best talent continuing to set a fast pace for the indoor track season.

In the High School division Friday, Iantha Wright of St. Johns Prep in Queens won the 55m with a personal best race time of 7:11. The Colgate Women's Games' 2015 High School champion sprinter also won the 200m in 25.74. Sophia Myers of Queens High School won the 55MH in 8.27. Both of these Junior Olympic champions achieved more than a dozen first-place wins in a wide variety of events through the outdoor season as well. Fourteen year-old Junior Olympic champion New Jersey's Athing Mu of Trenton Central High School, fresh off two personal records at the Jersey City Armory this month, scored another double win placing first in the 400m in 58.49 and the 800m in 2:19.7.

In the Mid School division Saturday, Zeyonna Davis of Cherry Hill, NJ also ran her personal best (26.76) this month in a first place win at the Jersey City Armory; and this week in an upset over Mid School champion Brianna Brown of the Bronx, her personal best got better winning the 200m in 26.27. Brianna Brown easily won the 400m, improving her time this week to 59.86. Newcomer Lauren Prince of Fernwood Avenue MS in Egg Harbor Township, NJ continues to impress with another win in the 55m, this week in 7.26. Eighth grader Tia Taylor also of Egg Harbor won her second straight hurdles, this week in 8.55. In distance races, returning Colgate Games Mid School champion Lauren Heskin of Floral Park Queens won both the 800m (2:21.89) and 1500m (4:51.73). Including Colgate Women's Games, USATF Junior Olympic Championships both indoor and outdoor and other championship meets, Heskin has more than 20 first-place wins in her age division throughout 2016!

Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint said, "The level of competition is extraordinary for early season action, and we're already seeing some of the East Coast's best athletic talent set a high bar for the entire nation at every age level. In addition to top talent, thousands of girls and young women of skill level from Boston to Georgia are celebrating their New Year's weekend having lots of fun here at the Colgate Women's Games in the world's greatest city!"

On New Year's Eve Sunday three of the nation's fastest and youngest track stars, all from Pennsylvania scored double wins. In the Elementary A division, Eight year-old Damira Allen of Chester won the 400m in 69.34 and the 800m in 2:35.64; Amirah Nesmith of Ben Franklin Elementary in Philadelphia ran her personal best indoor 55m in 8.21 and also won the 200m in 31.64. In the Elementary B division, Avery Lewis who now holds three age division records won the 55m in 7.50 and in a full second faster than Colgate Games week 1, she ran the 200m in 27.26. Lewis is the first competitor in more than 25 years to hold three Colgate Women's Games' records. Neffertitti Cooper also of Philadelphia held four records in three divisions in 1990-91.

Participation in the Colgate Women's Games is completely free. Girls and young women compete within their own age/grade divisions for ribbons, medals and points. Events include 55 meters, 55-meter hurdles, 200 meters, 400 Meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, high jump and shot put. Top point scorers advance to the Finals where they compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Four preliminary meets and a semi-finals at Pratt Institute determine who will compete at the finals at the New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory, New York Saturday, February 18, 2017, where trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company are awarded to top place finishers in each grade division. Hopeful young track stars, parents and coaches can find information about the program at http://www.colgategames.com/.

Photos available of each competitor highlighted at http://www.colgategames.com/gallery

Top row Left to right: 1. Wright, Core & Meyers 2. Athing Mu 3. Lauren Heskin 4. Amirah Nesmith.
Second Row: Brianna Brown 2. Avery Lewis; Zeyonna Davis.

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