Donna on the Side
at the Colgate Games
by Donna Dye
The Colgate Games are an all ladies event for elementary through college students, plus adult women. Participants compete in 4 preliminary rounds and a semi final at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, followed by finals at Madison Square Garden. During the meets, competitors accumulate points to qualify for the finals. Finalists compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate Palmolive Company. Educational grants-in-aids totalling $60,000 go to the top 3 point scorers at the end of the series. The Games are organized into 6 age groups and 8 events: 55 meter dash, 55 meter hurdles, 200, 400, 800, 1500, high jump and shot put.
The Colgate Women's Games go back to 1973. Then, 5,000 young women from the New York area participated. Today more than 11,000 registered from Boston to Virginia. The Games were organized to provide an opportunity for girls to develop a strong self concept, sense of personal destiny and an appreciation for education through athletic competition.
To support the education goal, participants submit an essay around an important topic of the year.
The Games were founded by Coach Fred "Freddie" Thompson. Coach Thompson has spent many years coaching and guiding girls in track and field, particularly through his Atoms Track Club in Brooklyn. He has also been an Olympic Track Team coach. Coach Freddie has the love and respect of many, many women, young and old, for all he has done to help girls achieve their best.
Working as Mistress of Ceremonies, Dr. Lilian G. Chamberlain is another very special person to the Games. She is an accomplished professional and former athlete.
Dr. Chamberlain is the first U.S. National Champion in the 800m before it became an Olympic event and the first African American woman to respresent the U.S. in the 400m and 800m in international competition.She was a gold medalist in the 400 at the Pan American Games and 3 time National Champion and member of the U.S. Women's All American Track and Field Team.
In the business community she is an international physical fitness and sports consultant and motivational speaker. She also has a long and active history with the Women's Sport Foundation in various capacities. (Thanks to the colgate.com and womenssportsfoundation.com sites for the facts.)
The Scene
Squarely in charge of the Garden, athletes strut their stuff, perform to the heights and have some fun doing it. A special appearance by Bill Cosby excited the crowd. Bill Cosby is a fan of track and field who makes appearances at youth events to encourage, motivate the kids and have some fun too.
Special Athlete Awards
Jessica Retelny receives the Donna DeVarona Trophy for Most Promising Newcomer from Fred Thompson. |
Ashley Ramsey receives the Fred Thompson Trophy for the Most Improved Competitor from Fred Thompson. |
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Meet Officials
| New York City Council Woman, Yvette Clark and Fred Thompson. Ms. Clark welcomed the athlethes with encouraging remarks. |
Ladies on the sidellines watching the action. |
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| Lajura Diaz in the wheelchair and others confer on high jump order. |
Mistress of Ceremonies, Dr. Lillian G. Chamberlain and Meet Director Fred Thompson |
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The Athletes
| High School Shot Put Winners: 3rd Deanna Morell, 1st Lena Tankeng, 2nd Daria Zivanovic, 4th Natasha Day, 5th Veronica Myricks, 6th Marie Fofanah |
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| High School 800 Winners: 1st Chanelle McGregor, 2nd Janean Morris, 3rd Kameesha Worthington, 4th Kimara McDonald, 5th Jaleeca Jacobs, 6th Rakibat Abiola |
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| High School High Jumpers: 3rd Keva Ramsay, 1st Jessica Murphy, 2nd Jacquelin Chiodo, 5th Ashley Newby, 4th Kimberly Murphy |
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High School 1500m winners: 3rd Lavaughn Jones, 1st Rolanda Bell, 2nd Alexandra Condell, 5th Tyneka Green, 4th Adrenee Sterrett,
6th Brittnee Bynoe |
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| High School 55 meter dash: 3rd Nene Kamate, 1st Nekisha Franklin, Jessica Retelny, 4th Sophia Wallace, 5th Shanda Jackson, 6th Denecia Gardener |
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Jona'e McAllister of the United Stars in Philadelphia PA was first in Middle School 400 meters. |
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Mid School |
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Special Olympics Athletes |
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| Mid School 1500m: 3rd Alexandra Brasington, 1st Caitlin Lane, 2nd Briana Jackucewicz, 5th Anya Curtis, 6th Molly Kempton, Emily Fung |
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| Mid School 1500m: Anya Curtis, Emily Fung, Briana Jackucewicz, Caitlin Lane, Molly Kempton, Alexandra Brasington |
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| Elementary B 800m: 1st Claudia Francis, 2nd Olicia Williams, 3rd Joelle Amaral, 4th Nyree Burgess, 5th Jennifer Molke and 6th Andrea Brown |
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| A mixed trio: Lillian Awidi 2nd in the 200 for 30+, Jennifer Zaccariello 2nd in the 1500 at the college level and Danielle Okoro 6th in the 200 college level. |
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30+ Winners with their children |
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Parents with Their Athletes
Jona'e McAllister with her family: Dad, John; Mom, Rhonda and Grandmother Anita Minor.
Jona'e was 1st in the Middle School 400meters. |
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Carlene Lewis with Dad, Carl Sr. Carlene.
Carlene finished 6th in the 200meter |
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1st in the Shot Put, Lena Tankeng with her parents,
Boniface and Cacilia Tankeng |
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| The Murphy Sister, Jessica and Kimberly with their Dad, Patrick. Jessica and Kimberly competed against each other in the high jump. In the end, Jessica was 1st and Kimberly 4th. |
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Jennifer Molke with her parents Kim and Bob.
Jennifer was 5th in the 800 elementary. |
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Tess Quinn with her parents Mom, Amnika Larsson-Quinn and Dad, Mike Quinn. Tess finished 4th in the Elementary 800m. |
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United Stars Track Club of Philadelphia PA |
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Faces on the Side
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From IS90
Rosemary Mutiva-Ocanesy, Nia Ocanesy, Nicole Zernone and Mark Gil |
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NOVAS Track Club, Queens New York |
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| Nene Kamate, NOVAS Track Club Queens New York was 3rd in the 55m dash. |
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| Caitlin Makary with her family and fan club that drove all the way from Boston to cheer for her. Caitlin finished 3rd in the College Open 1500m. |
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| Tanya Johnson McCray's family came to cheer her on. Tanya is impressive. She is a 36 year old with 4 children and 2 jobs who also had time to train for running in the College Open 200. Tanya finished 5th. |
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The bunch from Thomas Jefferson in Brooklyn |
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Saleena Rashed (4th 55H), Nzingha Crusoe (2nd Mid School 200m),
Latisha Lawson (3rd Mid School 200m) in front Altagracia Vasquez (4th Mid School 55m) and Monica Phipps (6th Mid School 200m) |
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| The Savonnah Rowe 200 Elementary B family and fan club. This is also Derek Alvez's family. Derek follows track and field and reports on it for the Staten Island Advance. |
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| Savonnah Rowe with more of her family and fan club. Savonnah finished 3rd in the Elementary B 200. |
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Donna on the Side at the Colgate Games
Colgate Games home page
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