Athletics Are the Right Track to Scholastic Success
 (NewsUSA)
- This year, the nation's largest amateur track series begins
its 31st season as young female athletes compete in the Colgate
Women's Games.
More than 11,000 girls and women, from first grade to post-college
age, will compete in the weekly events at Pratt Institute
in Brooklyn, N.Y., for the chance to qualify for the finals
at Madison Square Garden in February. Track competitors across
the nation can measure their performances against some of
the best talent in their age and grade divisions.
Seventeen former Olympians and hundreds of national record-holders
have competed in the games, which aim to give girls and women
an outlet where they can develop self-esteem and learn sportsmanship.
The Colgate Women's Games also instill the importance of
educational achievement. All participants are required to
submit their school attendance records along with an essay
on a peer-related topic.
Each week, participants have the opportunity to win numerous
ribbons and medals. In addition, finalists are awarded trophies
and educational grants-in-aid.
"Thousands of former participants have continued on through
college and successful careers," said meet director Fred Thompson.
"They inevitably return to tell us that the games had such
a significant impact on their lives."
The Colgate Women's Games, which officially open the women's
indoor track season, have become a national proving ground,
annually setting the pace for the season. Participants, primarily
from the East Coast, travel to New York from as far as Boston
and Virginia.
"Our girls are among the most heavily recruited female athletes
by colleges and universities across the country," Thompson
said. "Thousands have received college scholarships from their
schools and earned financial help with tuition and supplies
from their Colgate grants."
The Colgate Women's Games, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive,
is the longest-running corporate-sponsored program benefiting
American youth. For an entry form, ticket information, or
to follow weekly scores of participants, visit www.colgategames.com.
Article Source: http://www.newsusa.com
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