LSU, Boys & Girls big winners at 4th New Balance Games.

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Author: Benjamin, Barbara1

Meet and Armory Track & Field Center records have fallen each year of the annual New Balance Collegiate Invitational Games. In the fourth year of the meet that annually attracts world class national and international competitors, Louisiana State University (LSU) took top honors in the women's (138.50 points) and men's (103 points) team championships.

Muna Lee, a senior at LSU, ran a 7.36 in the 60m dash and clocked 23.06 in the 200m dash, besting her 2003 record time of 23.18.

The winsome foursome from Boys & Girls High School, Danielle Biggs, Adrenee Sterrett, Shanelle McGregor and Jamela ubar, won the 4x400 and 4x800 relays with Dunbar anchoring both wins, a 3:47.77 in the 400, and a record-breaking 9:06.75 in the 800 relay. The old record, held for just a year by Bay Shore, was 9:08.18. They finished second with a 9:08.07, breaking their own 2003 record.

Adrenee Sterrett's family was on hand to support and congratulate the team. Her mother Renee was happy and proud of the team's win. Mom, a former track scholarship winner at New York Tech, could relate to the longrange benefits of excelling in track.

"I never pushed her to run track, but I did expose her to dance, karate and other things," she said. From her own experience, she knew being involved in prts would help teach her daughter (Adrenee) the discipline to keep her focused and open up the possibility of a earning a college scholarship.

Academically, Sterrett and her teammates take advantage of the school's tutorial support program to help prepare them for college. "If you don't keep your grades up you can't run," said Renee Sterrett.

Running 56.3 in the 400m and 2:12.5 in the 800m, Adrenee, a sophomore, hopes her running and academics will enable her to earn a college scholarship. If she had to choose now she would hope that Duke, Texas, LSU and Stanford would be amongst those offering scholarships.

The meet's international contingent included Ayodele Ikuesan and Auirore Kassambara from France, running the 60m dash and hurdles respectively. Both lost in the preliminary rounds. u coming to the U.S. meant more than the New Balance Games. They wanted to see Harlem. Ayodele is studying to be a doctor and speaks fluent English. They visited the Schomburg Library to find out more about slavery and to see if Harlem was like what they saw on television at home.

Their impression of Harlem? "The people aren't all poor, and everyone's just doing the best they can," said Auirore, who is studying to be a teacher. They were pleased with being able to shop for clothes and cosmetics on 125th St.

A highlight this year at the meet was the awarding of the first Joe Klienerman Scholarships. Amongst his varied achievements, Joe was a past track and cross-country coach at DeWitt Clinton H.S. Natasha Hasting of A.P. Randolph H.S. and Saidu Hurbert Ezike of Port Richmond H.S. were the very first awardees.

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): DOUBLE WINNERS â€" The young ladies from Boys & Girls High School in Brooklyn won the 4x400 and 4x800 at the New Balance Meet. From left: Danielle Biggs, Adrenee Sterrett, Coach Jimmy Jackson, Shanelle McGregor and Jamela Dunbar.

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): Kym Hampton, the former New York Liberty all-star center and a charter player in the WNBA, paid a visit to the Monroe College Lady Mustangs at Mt. St. Michael's Academy in the Bronx. Kym talked with the girls about the game of hoops, giving them a pep talk and some tips. They soaked up the talk then went out and scrapped their way to a 60-56 win over the Borough of Manhattan Community College. The team is doing well, winging along with a 19-8 record and seeking to win the Region XV championship. Kym, two years into retirement, is a familiar figure around the city, working with youth groups and making appearances on behalf of many local charities.

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): RECORD RUN â€" The St. Augustine's College 4x400 team broke their 2003 record of 3:12.40 when they streaked to a record 3:10.17. From left: Jamal Torrance, Nathaniel McKinley, Andre Thompson and Beshawn Jackson.

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By Barbara Benjamin