Grenadian Olympians Honoured at Essex CC

NEWARK, NJ, October 29, 2008 – Three Grenadian Olympians were among 11 former student-athletes recognized by Essex County College (ECC) at a special ceremony here on Wednesday.

Alleyne Francique, Allison George and Trish Bartholomew participated in a day-long series of activities at their alma mater.

All 11 athletes are from the Caribbean and were congratulated for their achievements in representing their countries at the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China last summer.

Also participating in the ceremony were representatives from Grenada, Jamaica and Guyana. Consul General Derrick James extended congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Grenada and reminded them of the likes of Donald Pierre and Ellis Maitland who paved the way when they observed the 1980 Games in Moscow, and Grenada’s first representation in Los Angeles in 1984. Mr. James urged the Grenadian athletes to give back to their school and country.

Francique was from the Class of 2000, Bartholomew (Class of 2006), and George (Class of 2007).

Francique competed four years ago and also carried the national flag of Grenada in the opening ceremonies in Athens. George was a member of the 2007 NJCAA Lady Wolverine team that won the indoor track and field championship.

The Essex grads made up parts of the track and field rosters of Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, and Trinidad & Tobago. Three Jamaican team members from ECC won a total of four medals.

Melaine Walker, Class of 2004, was the biggest winner, capturing the gold medal in the 400 metre hurdles while running for her homeland. While an ECC student, Walker was cited for All-American honors eight times.

Jamaican teammate Kerron Stewart, who graduated from ECC in 2005, was the top medal winner with a silver in the 100 metres and a bronze in the 200 metres.

The third ECC grad who won a medal was Novlene Williams-Mills, Class of 2002. Her third-place finish in the 4x400 metre relay was her second bronze in that event in four years. While at ECC, Williams-Mills was a two time national champion and an All-American three times.

Ayanna Hutchinson, a member of the 1997 Essex women’s title team, represented Trinidad & Tobago. Marian Burnett, a member of the Class of 2001, competed for Guyana.