NEWS

Akron's Kelley ready to leap at Olympic chance

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Mawenh Guides Liberian Olympic Hopefuls

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Watkins Mill grad is running for home

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TOP LIBERIAN COLLEGE ATHLETES MAKE HISTORIC APPEARANCE AT THE WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES IN BANGKOK

October 8, 2007

The Liberia National University Sports Federation (LNUSF) sent 8 qualified athletes to the World University Games in Bangkok (August 8th – 18th). The athletes participated in Track & Field, Tennis and Table Tennis. The newly designed team uniform was donated by GK Elite Sportswear: http://www.gk-elitesportswear.com.

Members of the team included NCAA Division I 4x400-meter champion Siraj Williams of LSU, NCAA Division I Independent high Jump Champion Jah Bennet of UC Davies, NCAA Division III 400m champion Bobby Young of Lincoln University, Cyrus Westley of Cheney University, Emanuel Karngar of Rhode Island College, Maisha Pinkard of Hampton University, Jacob Smith and Evelyn Zuajar of the University of Liberia. The Team Physiotherapist was Dr. Aric Cruz.

The delegation was headed by Mr. Matthew Smith and 2 times Olympian and Track Ambassador Kouty Mawenh. According to Ambassador Mawenh “this was an important competition for our young elite athletes to get a good taste of what to expect at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.” Ambassador Mawenh is confident that about 5 athletes that attended the Games in Bangkok will make the qualifying standards for the 2008 Olympics.

There are currently more than 20 Liberian student athletes attending US colleges (Clemson, LSU, Lincoln, Nebraska, Houston Tillotston, Hampton, Rhode Island, UNC-Chapel Hill, Alabama, St Johns, UNC- Charlotte etc). Four Liberians have won NCAA national track & field championships (Sayon Cooper in 100m, Bobby Young in 400m, Siraj Williams 400m relay, Jah Bennet High Jump).

According to Ambassador Mawenh there are more than 40 Liberian collegiate athletes in Monrovia and Gbarnga that have the potential to compete and win internationally if they are given proper opportunities. “I am excited to say that we prepared two athletes from Monrovia, Evelyn Zuajar and Jacob Smith to attend the competition and learn some best practices from their peers on how to train and compete in future events.”

The 2009 world university will be held in Belgrade, Serbia.

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Indiana Invaders - The #1 American Field & Track Team for Elite Athletes.

Butler University - NCAA Division I Track & Field Team in Indianapolis

IAAF - World Track & Field Governing Body (International Amateur Athletic Federation)