Rondell Bartholomew sets school record in 400m

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, February 13, 2011 - Rondell Bartholomew took the spotlight this weekend as Grenadian athletes continue their outstanding performances in the 2011 Collegiate Indoor season.

Bartholomew ran one of the fastest 400m splits this year to lead his South Plains College (SPC) to a world leading 3:05.14 and a new NJCAA 4x400 relay record at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas this weekend.

"Not many people in the world would be able to catch Rondell Bartholomew on the anchor leg for South Plains. Bartholomew split an incredible 44.54 seconds on the anchor leg," described by one commentator.

Earlier Bartholomew broke a 20 year-old school record in the 400 metre dash when he was edged out by Torrin Lawrence, the 2010 NCAA indoor champion from the University of Georgia.

Lawrence topped the world (legal) with 45.82 seconds while Bartholomew follows with 45.84 seconds. Kirani James has the fastest 400m so far this year, 45.47 seconds (oversized track).

Janelle Redhead also ran a race of her life in the second leg to help SPC women to finish second behind Louisiana State University in 3:34.78. Redhead had a split of 53.97 seconds.

Also improving and maintaining top list ranking was Colleen Felix in the triple jump, finishing third with a distance of 13.46 metres.