The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

PURDUE University, here comes hurdler/sprinter Devynne Charlton and sprinter Carmiesha Cox.

On Sunday at the home of JR McDonald, president of Baker Concrete Construction, the two top athletes from St Augustine’s College and Aquinas College respectively officially signed their letter of intent to compete for the Boilermakers during the upcoming track and field season.

The head coach of the Boilermakers is Bahamian Lonnie Greene, assisted by another Bahamian Norbert Elliott. “It means so much to me and I’m just so excited,” said Cox, the silver medallist in the under-20 girls’ 100 metres at the BTC Carifta Games over the Easter holiday weekend at the new Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. “Before this, I never actually heard about Purdue. My coach did all of the work. I just decided to go based mainly on their academics.”

With her major on business management, Cox said she intends to go to Purdue and make the best of her opportunity, especially considering the fact that her long-time friend and rival, Devynne Charlton, will be there with her.

“I have someone to lean on, so I won’t be too homesick,” Cox said. “I’m just exciting to go there and do well.”

For Charlton, who clinched the gold in the 100 at Carifta, the excitement is already brewing. “I not only had Purdue, but a lot of other universities recognised my athletic talent, but I chose Purdue,” she said. “It’s an excellent academic school and I think I will have a great future there. We’re close, so it’s good to have someone who you know and can count on.”

Both Cox and Charlton advised their peers in the Star Trackers Club to always pursue their best because hard work does pay off.

Dave Charlton, head coach of the Star Trackers and father of Devynne, a 100 metre specialist, said the athletic scholarships account to about $50,000 a year that he and his wife, Laura, as well as Dwight and Carmen Cox, don’t have to look for as their daughters attend college for the next four years.

Laura Charlton said they are truly grateful to everybody who would have played a part in helping to get their daughter to this point in her career.

“In the absence of her grandfather, who claims to be her first coach, I would like to say thank you. We entered her in her first race at the age of 18 months in Clarence Town, Long Island,” she said.”Her father has taken good care of her. But Devynne is a very humble child. Once you ask her to do it, she will do and she gives you her all.”

Speaking on behalf of their family, Dwight Cox said they are also grateful to everybody who has helped his daughter.

“It was about five years ago when I met Mrs Charlton and I told her I wanted to run in a race, but she said ‘no it doesn’t happen that way’,” he said. “Afterwards, I did the official joining of the club and I signed my wife over too. She was the person who attended the track every afternoon Monday to Saturday, taking in all of the events of the Star Trackers.”

The high school principals of both athletes were just as delighted to speak on their behalf.

Noted Shona Knowles, principal of Aquinas College: “Carmiesha is a very humble person and unassuming young lady. It was a pleasure to have her at Aquinas. She is what we consider a true Aquinas Ace. If you don’t know what an ace is, it is the top card in the deck.

“Carmiesha, you have truly been a shining example for your classmates and you have also been a shining example for the Catholic Education, having gone through St Thomas More and now Aquinas. We are so proud of you and we know that you will continue to be a shinning ace.”

Added Sonya Knowles, principal of St Augustine’s College: “Over the six years, Devynne has shown a lot of spirit, a lot of determination. She is a very quiet person and you wouldn’t think so when you see her on that track. It took four years for me to get her to smile.

“With Devynne, you ask her to do something and she would say yes I would. Devynne, I hope that you will carry that same spirit and determination with you to Purdue and we know you will succeed. Thank you for being a good SACer.”

And JR McDonald, who once again opened up his home for the Star Trackers and the volunteers who assisted in making their annual track meet another success, said a lot of other kids have been afforded opportunities to attend colleges and universities in the United States on scholarships, but have not done anything with themselves.

“We’re very proud of you and we wish you the best and every success in wherever it takes you,” McDonald said. “With this background and everything infused within you over the years, you will be successful. We’re really proud of you.”