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Jumping To Conclusions: Another National Record!
(15 May 2000) - Talk about a busy week for St. Lucian track and field! The Internet website of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) confirms this week that Dane Magloire of Dennery and St. Augustine's College in North Carolina is the best long jumper in NCAA Division II and - once again - the best long jumper in St. Lucian history. Competing at North Carolina Central University last Wednesday Dane, a second year student at St. Augustine's, cleared 7.82m for his new personal record. At the same time, he eclipsed Emile John's mark of 7.75m and brought himself within inches of qualifying for the Olympics.
Dane was the last man to hold the long jump record before Emile John, and the 24-year-old from Dennery now adds that mark to his St. Lucian-best 15.81m in the triple jump. He aims to break both personal records this month at the Division II National Championships, which will be hosted by St. Augustine's. Dane's long jump record came within days of new marks by Ronald Promesse in the men's 100m dash, Tamara Popo in the women's discus throw, Nessa Paul in the junior women's 1500m and Nathan Justin in the junior men's 200m dash.
Forgive me for reporting (inaccurately) last week that Dane set the national record in training. In hindsight, it's not the most likely scenario, but I was unable to get details until recently. He'd been consistent all season, nationally ranked in both long and triple jumps, but this one came pretty much out of nowhere. After a difficult indoor season, he's fully recovered from one or two minor injuries, and we should be expecting a great deal from him at Nationals.
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Exultant Zepherinus NJCAA 10k Champ
(15 May 2000) - St. Lucia's premier distance runner became the champion of the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association last week. 24-year-old Zepherinus Joseph, originally of Mon Repos, completed the NJCAA 10,000m run in 31 minutes 25 seconds last Friday in Illinois. Running for Central Arizona College, he had to hustle at the end to make it, but he eventually fulfilled a promise he had made to his coach.
"Last year, after [coming second in NJCAA] cross-country championships, I told him that my goal for the season would be to win the 10K," said an exultant Zepherinus upon his return to St. Lucia this week. Before Friday he had only completed but a single 10K for the season, but he was certain that he'd win this one.
"I never had any doubts about it. Even though the guy was running with me, I knew I could pull away in the end." And pull away he did, ending his junior college career on the highest of high notes. Twenty-four hours later, he ran the 5K in 15:12 and finished in fourth place.
The youngster, who has declared for the University of North Florida, says that he's aiming to work with some young runners in his community before returning for the fall semester. He'll appear in at least one meet on home soil during the summer, and he's very eager about the future. Zepherinus told St. Lucia Online that he's pleased with the North Florida academic and athletics programmes, and he's aiming to run some world-class times during his time at school.
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Middling Performances from Middle Distance Men
(15 May 2000) - This past weekend, a pair of St. Lucian middle distance runners ran into each other for the umpteenth time this season. Miguel Lambert of Georgetown University and Beryl Harris of Coppin State in Maryland contested the 800m run at the Carolina Classic Track and Field Meet, held at the University of North Carolina. In a strong field, which included several professional runners, Miguel was seventh in a time of 1:49.39, while Beryl ran 1:51.67 to cop the 11th position.
Both young men say that their goal this season remains a sub-1:48 run, which would place them in contention for the national record in that event (Miguel now holds it) and automatic Olympic qualification.
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Dog's Life Looks Good for Ball Hog's Brother
(14 May 2000) - St. Lucian forward David 'Bolo' Flavius scored the game-winning goal for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday in a dramatic win over A-League rivals Atlanta Silverbacks. Bolo came on for the Riverhounds at the half, and he made his presence known with a shot on goal during regulation time. The Hounds were up one nil at the time, thanks to a Mike Butler strike. The excitement mounted late in the game; Atlanta pressure paid off in the 87th minute when Patrick Beech kicked a loose ball in the slot past custodian Randy Dedini.
The game went to extra time, and in the second extra period, it was Bolo making the difference and sending the crowd of 3,371 home happy. The 28-year-old opened his tally for the season by beating Atlanta 'keeper Tony Roberts on a headed goal. Jair Vasquez and Ed Child combined to set up the shot for Flavius on a play previously designed by coach John Kowalski. "It was what we work on every day," Flavius said. "Get the ball to the middle and put it in the back of the net."
Bolo recently completed his bachelor's degree at Ohio Dominican College, where he holds or shares every major scoring record. Coach Kowalski has hinted that the St. Lucian, who has been a key reserve ever since joining the Hounds last year, may see more playing time Saturday against Long Island Roughriders. The Hounds are on a two-game win streak, and they have played three matches this season.
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