in Barbados, another Island team has just returned from a successful tour of the United States.

The Mid-Island Striders Track Club travelled more than 1,600 miles to attend meets at the University of Florida, Florida State, Florida A and M University, the University of Georgia and the Atlanta University Centres.

At the University of Florida the team, of Kendia Gill, Kendell Webb, Cheri Minors, Knorisha Tucker, Samantha Smith, Dennis Joell and Darren Harvey, took part in the Florida Relays.

Coach, Bill Euler said all those who travelled had done well, despite some trying circumstances.

"High school, college and elite athletes came from all over the states to compete in this prestigious meet. Most of the high school athletes were from Florida and our team was the only one from out of the country,'' he said.

"Kendia was the top athlete of our team, making it to the championship finals in the 100m and placing seventh out of 32 girls with a personal best of 12.61.

Gill also took part in the triple jump with a jump of 34ft 10in, just missing out on qualifying for the finals,'' Euler said.

In the consolation finals Smith edged out Tucker to take seventh, the girls placing 16th and 17th overall. Tucker, Minors and Webb all competed in the long jump. "This is where the meet turned a little sour,'' said Euler. "The measuring standard was raised to 17ft just to get your mark measured. All of our girls came very close to reaching the mark with Cheri Minors coming the closest but to no avail.'' Only five of the 22 competitors who took part in the jump actually made the mark stipulated by the organisers.

In the open division, Joell took part in the long jump recording a leap of 5.95 metres.

"All in all the trip was a success,'' Euler said. "Not only did the athletes have an opportunity to participate in international competition and visit the many universities, they also got to meet a few Olympians.

"At the Florida Relay we had the privilege of meeting Dennis Mitchell and one of his proteges, Lewellyn Bredwood. At Florida State we met Maicel Malone, a top 200 and 400-metre runner who is now coaching there.'' The youngsters also got to see Kim Batten train -- the world record holder in the 400 metre hurdles -- and finally, in Atlanta at the Velocity Sports training centre the group met up with Milton Campbell, one of the world's top 400 metre runners.

The Striders are now preparing for their next international meet, the East Coast Invitational in Durham, North Carolina.

For more information on the club contact Bill Euler on 799-2455.