Young athletes from the Mid-Island Striders Track Club, led by their coach Bill Euler, left the Island yesterday bound for New York to compete in the 43rd Annual Loucks Games in White Plains this weekend.

The club are taking five athletes from various schools – Tyra Stovell, Shawnae Brangman, Jubilee Edness, Christian Wright and Dale Eve.

Stovell from the TN Tatem Middle School, who is only 14, has been invited to compete against the high school students in the New York meet.

"Tyra broke two school records – long jump and the 200 metres – as well as setting the Interschool long jump record this season," said coach Euler.

"This feat qualified her for the CAC Junior Championships in the Dominican Republic as well as the Caribbean Union of Teachers Track Championships in St. Kitts.

"Shawnae Brangman is from Warwick Academy and is a two-time Carifta qualifier."

Euler noted that Brangman placed second in the 100 metres in the same meet in 2008 and "is looking to redeem herself and obtain the coveted 'Olympian' trophy for first-place finishers. She'll also be competing in the 200 metres and the long jump".

The meet this weekend will be Jubilee Edness' first international competition.

"The Berkeley Institute student finished third in the 100 metres in the Interschool Sports and is looking forward to getting a personal best here. She will be off to St. John's University in the fall on an academic scholarship," said Euler.

"Christian Wright is from Warwick Academy and is in his first year of competing in track and field.

"He is still feeling the excitement from the Carifta Games where he placed third in the Under-17 boys' long jump. He will be competing in his specialty and the 100 metres.

"Christian has also qualified for the CAC Junior Championships in the Dominican Republic in July.

"Dale Eve is a student at CedarBridge Academy and will be competing in his second international competition after placing fourth in the heptathlon at the CAC Age Group Championships in the Bahamas last summer.

"He will be doing the long jump and triple jump and has also qualified for the CAC Junior Championships."