Following a
second-place finish in the discus at the Jamaican Amateur Athletic
Association Supreme Venture National Championships, Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi's Hickel Woolery will compete in the Pan
American Games later this month.
The Pan Am Games
are in
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil beginning July 13 and running through July
29. The track and field events will be held beginning on the 23rd
with the men's discus on the July 28.
"It is a great
accomplishment for Hickel to qualify for the Pan Am Games," said
Islander head coach Shawn Flanagan. "The experience he gets
competing in these events will only help him to become a
competitor."
Woolery threw the
discus 54.86 meters – just less than a meter off the
first-place mark of 55.49 meters by Maurice Smith. He was also
fourth in the shot put with a distance of 15.46 meters.
It was the second
major meet for Woolery in the past month. The Islander had placed
11th at the NCAA Championship in the discus with a throw of 57.09
meters.
"It was a
completely different environment than the NCAAs," said Woolery from
Jamaica. "My timing was a little off. I am excited about qualifying
for the Pan Am Games, but was a little disappointed in how I
threw.
"Every meet I go
to is a stepping stone to getting better and throwing more
consistently," said Woolery.
A strong showing
at the Pan Am Games could lead to a spot at the World Championships
later this summer.
"My goal is to
just keep getting better and set a personal record," said Woolery,
who set a school record and a personal best at the NCAA Midwest
Regional with a mark of 57.69 meters. "I would have to increase my
personal record by several meters, but if I do well I could qualify
for World Championships.
