Sisters Phyllis and Claudia Francis of Queens Shine During High School Meet at Pratt Friday
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY (1/15-1/17) - Laurelton, Queens sisters Phyllis and Claudia Francis made a family affair out of week four of the Colgate Women's Games preliminaries. First, high school junior Claudia took the 800 Meters race in a time 2:15.8 seconds. Then, her senior sister Phyllis tied with Valley Stream's Joanne Imbert in a closely-watched high jump competition, with both athletes clearing 5'6." Later, all eyes were back on Claudia as she won the 1500 Meters in a time of 4:43.3, ahead of Brooklyn's Kali Kendall, who finished in 4:48.1.
The sisters have competed in the Colgate Women's Games, the only free program of its kind, since elementary school and Phyllis is now being recruited by several universities.
"We've been watching Phyllis and Claudia grow as athletes, as competitors and as people, for many years now," said Colgate Women's Games Assistant Meet Director and former Olympian Cheryl Toussaint. "In 36 years of Colgate, we've seen thousands of kids just like them grow up to be extraordinary women. Those two are going places."
Also on Friday night, Brooklyn's Adrienne Alexander threw 11.81 Meters to take the Shot Put competition, the Bronx's Whitney Fountain came in first in the 200 Meters in 24.6 seconds and St. Anthony's Olicia Williams won the 400 Meters in 57.5.
This weekend was the fourth and final preliminary meet held at Pratt Institute's indoor track. Some 430 girls and young women will be back next Saturday (1/23) for the semi-finals which will determine who will compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from the Colgate-Palmolive Company at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, January 30th.
The Colgate Women's Games attract more than 11,000 participants each year who compete within their own age/grade divisions: Elementary A, Elementary B, Middle School, High School, College/Open and 30's Plus. The Games have produced 22 former Olympians and hundreds of age/grade division national champions. Coaches, college recruiters, participants, family and friends can follow scores and results each week at Colgat Games.com.
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