Colgate Women's Games Opening Preliminary Meet Sets Fast Pace for 2003 Indoor Track Season.

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BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 2002

The nation's largest track series, with a participating field of more than 12,000 girls and young women, opened this weekend (12/27 -12/29) setting the pace for the 2003 indoor track season.

In the High School division, Tiffany Abney of Merion Mercy High School took first in the 200 meters with a fast early season time of 25.4. Abney has traveled from Philadelphia and taken at least one first place at every preliminary since she began competing in the Games as an elementary school student. Jessica Clark of Murray Bergtraum High School in Manhattan beat her this week in the 55 Meters (7.0 vs. 7.1 respectively).

Kristen Farley of Brooklyn's Poly Prep arrived late and ran in the last heat of the 1500 meters, where she lapped her competitors and crossed the tape first in 4:49.

National champion Janean Morris of Brooklyn's Bishop Loughlin was also in top form for an early season meet. She took the 800 meters in 2:19.2. Her mother Alethea Morris took first in the 30's Plus Division 200 meters with a very fast 26.6, a better time than the College/Open Division's 200 meters winner Fateen Boaith who placed first in 26.7.

Also in the College/Open Division, long-time Games' participant Kenya Benjamin of York College in Queens scored a double win, placing first in the 800 meters (2:25.1) and 1500 (4:50.6). Antonette Brown of CCNY won the division's 55 meters in 7.2.

Meet Director Fred Thompson says, "This year's registration may have been the largest ever, and more competition usually leads to even greater scores."

Athletes of all ages across the nation can follow the scores, times and results of races in their own grade division throughout the season at www.colgategames.com.

Four preliminaries and semi-finals for the Colgate Women's Games are held at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn with finals at Madison Square Garden on February 8th. Finalists receive trophies, and educational grants-in-aid are awarded to all first-through-third place winners. Tickets to the finals are free. Visit www.colgategames.com for details.

Contact: David Forman [phone]

Complete results by grade division and school are available at www.colgategames.com or via email request to David Forman at [e-mail]

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