Runner bound for US college

YET ANOTHER Barbadian athlete has gained a scholarship to a university in the United States.Middle-distance runner Sabrina Welch, a former student of The St Michael School and currently a Combermerian, has landed a four-year scholarship at Jackson State.There is already a Bajan connection to the university. Former Barbados athlete Mark Thorne will be Welch’s coach there, and head of the Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme Michael Jules and Welch’s Freedom Striders’ coach Michael “Abu” Worrell also attended on scholarships.Welch was elated as she discussed her prospects after returning from a successful tour to North Carolina and Philadelphia with her club Freedom Striders, although she was yet to settle on her choice of studies.“This is the realisation of a life-long dream and I intend to pursue my goal of gaining a top-class education while improving to become one of Barbados’ better athletes,” she said.  The solidly-built 17-year-old, who has just completed her first year of A Level studies in geography, mathematics and technical drawing, plans to compete in the 800 metres, 1 500 metres and cross-country for Jackson.“I am nervous about leaving home and my family, but I am also excited about the opportunies which can evolve from this scholarship,” said Welch who credited Anthony Lovell, founder of Freedom Striders, with facilitating the scholarship.She will head off to Jackson next month.