Star Jamaican sprinter joins Spartans at Langley university

One of the top teenaged track and field athletes in Jamaica is coming to Trinity Western University.

TWU Spartans track and field coach Laurier Primeau announced last week the signing of high school champion sprinter and jumper Claudette Allen.

 Allen, who runs the 100-metre, 200m, and 100m hurdles, and competes in long jump and triple jump, joins TWU after being named the most outstanding female athlete at the 2014 CHAMPS, Jamaica’s most prestigious boys and girls championships, and captaining her school to the competition’s team title.

At the 2014 CARIFTA Games, which features countries within the Caribbean Free Trade Association, the 5’9” native of New Longville, Jamaica, earned a silver medal in both the U20 long and triple jumps.

Allen, 19, also recently competed in long jump at the 2014 world junior championships. Her personal bests are 6.45m in long jump, 12.69m in triple jump, 11.83 seconds in the 100m, 24.25 in the 200m, and 13.79 in the 100m hurdles.

“Excellence in two events is rare, but being internationally successful in five events is unheard of,” Primeau said. “Having represented Jamaica multiple times over all of these events, we know that she will bring a wealth of athletic experience and leadership to our team. We also expect that her faith qualities will [contribute] to the culture of the Spartans track and field program.”

Allen said coming to Langley and TWU will be an enriching opportunity for her: “With the help of my team and God, I hope to embrace this opportunity to be a good leader as a member of the track and field team at Trinity Western University.”  

She added, “I am coming to TWU to further my studies, explore a new culture and to meet new friends.”