Grenadian-Canadian athlete wins National Track League title

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Published on Monday, 25 July 2011 00:00

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By Lincoln Depradine

Athlete Phylicia George, a Canadian with Grenadian roots, is having what sports commentators describe as a breakout season on the Canadian track circuit.

George, a recent graduate of the University of Connecticut where she was a standout in NCAA competition, earned the most points to emerge top female athlete in a series of races in the inaugural National Track League (NTL).

In the final NTL meet in Toronto, George beat veteran Canadian World and Olympic competitor, 30-year-old Perdita Felicien, in the 100 meter hurdles final.

George, 23, ran 12.87 seconds to beat Felicien by one-hundredth of a second.

Felicien paid tribute to the young champion. “For me, hats off to Phylicia today. She did what she had to do to beat me,’’ Felicien said. “But it puts me on guard now though; it’s going to be very hard to do it again.”

George has already qualified for the World Championships later this summer. She is also eyeing next year’s London Olympics where Grenada is expected to be represented by a contingent of top athletes such as Kirani James and Rondel Bartholomew.

George was delighted to be crowned the first NTL queen. "It’s exciting because the girls in Canada, they’re up there at world championships, Olympics. So to be up there with them, lets me know that when I get to worlds, I’ll be ready to do something really big there,’’ George said.

George and top NTL male athlete, shot putter Dylan Armstrong of British Columbia, each received a beautiful glass trophy and cash prizes.

Born in Toronto, George is the daughter Paul George of River Road, St. George’s, and the late Glenna George, nee Louison, of Mt. Moritz.

Video: Phylicia George is interviewed after being crowned NTL female champion in Toronto:

http://www.runnerspace.com/eprofile.php?do=videos&year=2011&pg=1&event_id=6541&video_id=51588&folder_id=recent&offset=5

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