Bahamian national record holder in the women’s discus Serena Brown is heading to Gainesville, Florida, to compete for the University of Florida Gators in the upcoming 2021-2022 season. The announcement was made on Saturday on the Gators’ social media platforms.
Brown, who is pursuing a post-graduate degree in construction management, said that she is excited to complete her athletic eligibility with the Gators. She recently graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in construction science, and competed for the Iowa Hawkeyes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Track and Field Championships in June, where she finished 10th overall.
“I am excited,” Brown said. “I got into grad school which is huge because I wanted to study construction management. That is one element for the move. I will also be closer to home. I have been in the United States of America (USA) for like five or six years now. Also, being back in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is big. I do not have to worry about my coach changing because he moved to Florida. Everyone from the Florida staff has been nice to me.”
Brown has the national record of 60.39m (198’ 1-1/2”) that she did back in 2018 at the Texas Relays in Austin, Texas. She also still holds the junior national record in the same discipline with a throw of 52.73m (173’) back in 2016. This past season, Brown was under the tutelage of Coach Eric Werskey. She was consistent in her throws, recording the second-best throw in Iowa’s history, 59.81m (196’ 2”). Locally, she is coached by Corrington Maycock of Blue Chip Athletics.
“I was not content with my season. It did not go the way I wanted it to go. At the NCAA nationals, my throw was the furthest not to make it in the final within the last six years which hurt because in previous years, the same mark would have gotten me into the final. It was a bit of a bummer. Overall, this past season was a very consistent one for me,” said Brown.
Brown joins two other Bahamians – Doneisha Anderson and Sasha Wells in Gainesville. Anderson, who is headed to Tokyo as a part of The Bahamas’ women’s 4x400m relay team, is entering her fourth year at Florida. Like Brown, Wells is also pursuing a master’s degree at Florida, and has one year of athletic eligibility remaining. It is Brown’s first time being on a collegiate team with Bahamians.
“It is pretty cool to be able to join Wells and Anderson on the team. It is such a relief because there is nothing like Bahamian culture. Throughout the years, I had to explain to people what it is to be Bahamian. I know both Anderson and Wells. Anderson and I went to St. Augustine’s College (SAC) together and we went on a few CARIFTA teams together. Wells and I also went on multiple CARIFTA teams together as well as world youth and world juniors teams. We have been roommates. To be there and cheer them on is good,” Brown stated.
The thrower has lofty goals for the upcoming season as she puts on a Gators uniform.
“I would like to be SEC Champion. I know that is very possible for me to do and it will contribute a lot of points for the team. That is why Florida is so excited to have me on board because they are building a phenomenal women’s team. I am looking to become SEC or national champion – those are two goals for me. They have always been my goals. In addition, I also want a team championship ring. This is something that I have dreamed of for a long time,” Brown said.
Brown is no stranger to the SEC. In 2017 and 2018, she competed for Texas A&M Aggies. She is also looking forward to representing The Bahamas in competition internationally again.
The post Brown heads to Gator country appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/brown-heads-to-gator-country/
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