Track transfer valuable for Dogs in multiple events

Colleen Felix

by Chris Brandus

ATLANTA, GA, April 19, 2011 - When Colleen Felix came to the United States from St. Andrews, Grenada, three years ago she had no idea what to expect.

The junior had earned a track and field scholarship to South Plains Community College in Levelland, Texas, and it didn’t take her long to make a mark in junior college track and field competition.

But Felix proved to make the right move in heading to the United States to pursue her track and field career.

In 2010, she won two NJCAA individual national titles — one in the javelin and one in the triple jump — and was named the 2010 NJCAA Track & Field Athlete of the Year.

The transition wasn’t the easiest, but Felix has finally found her stride.

“I didn’t know anyone,” Felix said. “I didn’t really have a choice of where I went to school. It was exciting and it turned out to be a lot of fun and I still have a lot of great friends there.”

Now, after transferring to Georgia this year, Felix has become a weapon for the Lady Bulldogs’ track and field squad. During the indoor season, Felix won the triple jump at the SEC Championships with a distance of 44 feet, 3 ½ inches, which made her second in the Lady Bulldog record book.

“Colleen has been a pleasure to work with,” jumping coach Petros Kyprianou said. “The way her body is coordinated makes it easy for her to adapt to different techniques. We were fortunate that she decided to come to Georgia, and she has done great thus far.”

At the Spec Towns Invitational in Athens, Felix recorded the longest outdoor triple jump in the NCAA this year by jumping 44 feet, 6 ¾ inches and won the javelin throw with a distance of 153 feet, 10 inches.

“This year has been very different from Texas,” Felix said. “You don’t lift weights as much, but you do what is necessary to succeed.”

Felix, who is one of seven children, has returned home only once -— the last time being nearly two years ago. She said the training opportunities in the United States mainly fueled her decision to leave Grenada. And the 2012 Olympics in London is lingering on the horizon.

“Georgia is a great school with great academics,” Felix said. “I hope to go pro and continue to jump and throw well. I would love to make it to London in 2012. I don’t know what I will be able to do, I just have to keep working. I miss my family and friends, but I know that this will make me better.”

Although she misses her family and it isn’t always easy being in a far away country away from the comforts of home, Felix, a speech communications major, said she wants to serve as an example of perseverance and hard work for young athletes from her native country to emulate.

“You have to motivate yourself,” Felix said. “I want to help others out and inspire aspiring athletes. I love what I do and I would love to become a great example to others because of it.”

SOURCE: RedandBlack.com