Nation’s Best High School Hurdlers Continue to Push Fast Pace at Colgate Women’s Games Second Preliminary Meet

BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Some of the nation’s best high school hurdlers faced off against each other on Friday, the start of the second preliminary meet of the 39th annual Colgate Women’s Games. All-Star PSAL hurdles record-holder Brigitte Pewu of Curtis High School in Staten Island ran 8.1 this week, just ahead of Junior Olympic champion Sandreeka Bancroft, the Colgate Women's Games’ 2011 mid school record-holder from Cardozo High School in Queens, who ran 8.2. The outstanding competition helps both champions, as they each shaved .2 off last week’s times. Lauren Lyons of Spellman High School in the Bronx continues undefeated in the 55 meters (7.2), and 200 meters (25.4); and Egypt Parker of Preston High School in the Bronx, last year’s “Most Promising Newcomer” trophy winner and Colgate Women's Games’ mid-school record holder reclaimed the lead from Keziann Jones of Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn by tossing 11.07m to Jones’ 10.94m.

In the Mid School division on Saturday, 13-year-old Gabrielle Wilkinson of Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, PA continued undefeated with another double win in the 800 meters and 1500 meters, this week improving to 2:20:07 and 4:53:00 respectively.

In the College / Open Division on Sunday, Treasure Glymph of the Bronx, a Junior Olympic high jump and long jump champion, and Colgate Women's Games high school hurdles finalist last year, returns as a freshman from Buffalo State College this season to win the 55 meter hurdles in 8.5, an improvement over last week’s 8.7 win. Veteran Colgate Women's Games' champion Amber Williams of Parsippany, NJ who had a perfect season last year, continues undefeated. Williams took the 200 meters in 25.2, and 400 meters in 58.0.

Meet Director Fred Thompson says this year’s youngest competitors are sharing the spotlight with veteran champions. “We’re seeing elementary school girls running like experienced athletes, and this is very promising because it tells us there are great teachers, coaches and parents taking the time to work with their youngest kids. The results are obvious on the track, but more importantly, their physical and mental commitment will have a positive benefit throughout their lives.”

Also on Sunday in the Elementary A division, newcomer Jada Mora of PS 347 in Manhattan won the hurdles in 11.9, improving her time from last week’s first place win in 12.2; Jamilah Jackson of PS 815 in Brooklyn also improved and won the 800 meters in 2:57.9; Sabrina Imes of Shipley Elementary School in Bryn Mawr, PA remains undefeated with wins in the 200 meters 31.3, and 400 75.7, both times are more than two seconds faster than her wins last week.

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.

Two more preliminary meets and a semi-finals at Pratt Institute will determine top point scorers who will advance to the Finals to compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company. This year’s finals will be held at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory in New York City on February 23, 2013.

The 39th annual Colgate Women’s Games are the nation’s largest amateur track and field series for girls and young women, and have produced more than 20 Olympians, hundreds of age/grade division national champions, and countless changed lives. Each year, high school participants are among the most heavily recruited athletes by colleges and universities across the nation. Coaches, recruiters, athletes and fans can follow scores each week at Colgategames.com