Aggie Sprinter Revels In Shot At National Title

In between workouts at the Anderson Track & Field Complex and study sessions at the Nye Academic Center, Allison George can’t help but to sit back and reflect on how far her track career has brought her. All the comforts involved in being a track athlete at a major Division I school aren’t lost on George, a senior sprinter on the top-ranked Aggie women’s squad.

From the spacious Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium to the roomy Olympic Sports Training Room facility in the Little Athletic Complex to the team’s world class coaching staff, A&M’s track and field athletes are set up for success.

It’s certainly a far cry from where George was two short years ago.

George is a native of Grenada, an island of about 100,000 people located in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea. An accomplished athlete and the valedictorian of her high school class, George sought the opportunity to become the first in her family to enroll in college. Her quest landed her in Newark, N.J., where she earned a track scholarship to Essex County Junior College.

For a young woman accustomed to the beachy, tropical climate of Grenada, the chilly New England climate was quite a shock. So, too, was the living situation she was thrown into. Unlike a scholarship at A&M that pays for a variety of expenses, George’s scholarship to Essex covered only tuition and a place to live. As it turned out, that place to live didn’t come with just one or two roommates.

“It was a one-bedroom apartment with a bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen,” recalled George. “There were eight girls living there, all from different islands in the Caribbean.”

Imagine trying to live with seven complete strangers, even in a comfortable four-bedroom house, and you can imagine George’s dismay upon arriving at Essex.

“They never told us (before we got there) that it was going to be like that,” George said. “At first we thought it might not be that bad, but as time went by, girls always have their little arguments, so all that went on. It was really hard.”

Track practices turned out to be less than ideal, as well. George said Essex didn’t have a track on which the team could work out, so practices were held on a basketball court or along the city streets of Newark—even in the dead of winter.

Despite the less than ideal conditions, George performed well at Essex. She scored points at the NJCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007, including victories in the 400 (outdoor), 200 (indoor) and 55 (indoor).

In 2006, her freshman year, she also took notice of a very talented sprinter from Barton County Junior College named Simone Facey. Facey claimed three junior college national titles in 2007 before landing at Texas A&M, a school George had never heard of. George kept tabs on Facey the following year and watched as the sprinter excelled immediately in College Station. Facey finished her first year at A&M with six All-America honors while leading the Aggies to a then program best fourth place finish at the NCAA Outdoors.

“(Facey) came here and was that good, so I thought I could come here and the coaches could make me that much better, too,” George said. “She was the main reason that I wanted to come here. I had never really heard about the school. I was looking at her because she was such a good athlete. After I learned more about A&M, I never changed my mind.”

That fact that Essex and A&M share some recent ties helped George’s cause, as well. Former Aggie star Clora Williams came from Essex before winning the NCAA 400 meter title in 2006, and first-year A&M assistant Alleyne Francique—also a native of Grenada—attended Essex before he was a six-time All-American at LSU.

A&M coach Pat Henry liked what he saw in George, and it wasn’t long before she was a Texas-bound airplane. In particular, Henry liked George’s approach to academics, which can often be a red flag for coaches recruiting a junior college athlete to a major Division I program.

“You have to recruit those who have gone to a good enough institution to where they will have a good understanding of what it takes to be successful in the classroom,” Henry said. “The academic woes in front of a lot of young people today make it a situation where they have to go to a junior college first. It’s kind of like a stigma is put on the junior college kids that they can’t make it academically, but in fact, given the opportunity and going to the right place, they can be successful.”

George certainly believes she went to the right place. In addition to easing up her roommate situation, George said she was amazed by A&M’s seemingly vast resource pool to help student-athletes. Instead of dreading practice on the city streets, George excitedly anticipated working out on a full-size track.

Throw in tutors to help with schoolwork and a career center to assist in job advice and placement, and George was able to clearly see how Facey was able to succeed.

“There are so many people that are willing to help and that’s one of the things I saw when I came here to visit,” George said. “People are here just to help you, and if you use that, you’re able to succeed and know that you can get something done. I can be focused on that and not stressed out about what I’m going to eat today or what I’m going to do when I’m done with school. It makes a big difference.”

George’s first season at A&M—her junior season, eligibility-wise—reflected her newfound comfort.

She set career best marks in the 100 and 200 at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships, but her biggest contribution came on one of A&M’s relay squads. At the NCAA Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, George teamed with Facey, Elizabeth Adeoti and Porscha Lucas to claim a national title in the 4 x 100. George anchored the relay, which finished in a blazing 42.59 seconds to set a school record and become the second-fastest relay team in NCAA history.

She struck gold again at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships in College Station. This time, she ran the leadoff leg in the 4 x 400. Teammates Sandy Wooten, Lucas and Jessica Beard followed George’s stellar opening leg. In the end, A&M won the race by a resounding 1.78 seconds margin to claim the program’s first-ever title at the NCAA Indoor meet.

She’s also picked up some valuable international experience.

Her individual time in the 200 last year was good enough to qualify for the Grenadian Olympic team. George, along with the nine-member Grenada delegation (which included Francique, who competed in the 400 and was the nation’s flag bearer) spent almost a month this summer in China. Months later, the experience is one that is still fresh in George’s mind.

She competed in the first two rounds of qualifying at the famed Bird’s Nest stadium, running against the likes of medalists Veronica Campbell-Brown, Allyson Felix and Kerron Stewart.

“I’ve been running in front of crowds for a while, but all those people—it was nerve-wracking,” George said. “For me, being on the track and being mentioned by the announcer (was my proudest moment). Not everyone would get recognized. They would introduce some runners but skip others, but I was one of the people who was called out. I was so excited because nobody knows who I am. It was an opportunity for the world to see who I am and know me. That was encouraging.”

George already has her eyes set on the 2012 Olympics in London, and Henry is confident she has the potential to become a two-time Olympian three-and-a-half years from now.

“Allison has good years in front of her,” Henry said. “She will continue to improve, and I think she’s one of those who will run at the next level after she is done here.”

Before that happens, though, George wants to see the Aggies lift the team championship trophy at this year’s NCAA Outdoors. George has already posted NCAA Regional qualifying times in the 100 and 200, as well as the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relays. At the Texas Relays in early April the 4 x 100 relay team sped to a collegiate leading time of 42.91, and the group followed that with a title at the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia a few weeks later. The Aggies will likely be the favorite in that event at nationals, which conclude on June 12 in Fayetteville, Ark.

“Being a part of a winning team—and I know we are already a winning team—but being able to win a (national) championship is what I want,” George said. “I want an exciting finish, not a sad one where we regret something. I want us to come together and achieve what we’ve been working for.”

On And Off Track, Star Sprinter Shaped By Experiences

The NCAA Indoor Championships, hosted at Texas A&M’s Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium begin today and continue through Saturday. For heat times, participants and ticket information, please go to: 2009 NCAA Indoor Track Championships


Gerald Phiri is an interesting case study in contrasts.

For instance, the easy-going sophomore resembles just about any other Texas A&M student when he quietly ambles across campus on his way to class. Phiri offers a quick smile and handshake when he meets a new face, but his soft voice is almost difficult to discern as he exchanges pleasantries.

It’s quite the contrast that with the flamboyant sprinter who confidently struts into the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium before a meet. Phiri is loud, determined, brash and, more than anything, he exudes confidence. The mild-mannered young man from the previous day is long gone, and in his place is a finely tuned sprinter, readying himself to explode off the starting blocks.

While the differences in Phiri’s demeanor are certainly noticeable, so too are the differences in his cultural background. Phiri owns a travel log that dwarfs most classmates or competitors his age. Born in Ndola, Zambia, in 1988, Phiri’s family also lived in South Africa, Wales, England and Chicago before he arrived in College Station. Phiri’s father, Huggins, is a Pentecostal pastor, and the family often moved to accommodate Huggins’ evolving church duties.

“I don’t remember a lot of things (about Zambia),” recalled Phiri, pronounced “FEER-ee”). “Sometimes, somebody from Zambia will add me as a friend on Facebook and say we were good friends, so I remember some people. I loved South Africa. It was very much like the U.S.A. in the way people talk and the tall buildings and cities.

“(After that) We lived in a small town in Wales, (with a population of) maybe 3,000-4,000 people. There were only two other black families there, so it was a different experience. But I still have great friends there who I stay in contact with.”

It’s no surprise that old friends want to stay in contact with him.

Phiri, in his second year as a member of the A&M track and field team, is a seriously talented sprinter. He owns the five best marks in school history in the 60 meters (which is only contested during the indoor season). After setting the record with a time of 6.64 at the NCAA Indoors in 2008 to earn All-American honors, Phiri bettered the mark this season with a 6.59 clocking at the Texas A&M Showdown on Jan. 31.

Phiri was just as dominant during last year’s outdoor season. He picked up early-season wins against loaded fields at the FSU Relays and the Penn Relays while clocking a second-place finish at the prestigious Texas Relays in Austin. Phiri rolled through the conference meet, picking up gold medals in the 100, 200 and 4 x 100 relay. His stellar performance in the sprints made him the first male athlete in Big 12 history to win the 100 and 200 sprints in the same year, and it helped him earn men’s high-point award (22.5 points) and the conference’s Freshman of the Year honor.

Phiri’s record book should likely be even more impressive. He qualified for three events in the 2008 NCAA Outdoor meet, but was held out of the competition after sustaining an injury during the Midwest Regional, the final event before nationals.

To those who have known Phiri for a long time, his success probably isn’t a big surprise. He began competing at age 4, and it didn’t take long before Phiri was dominating the competition.

“In fifth grade, I ran a 12.49 in the 100 meters, which is what most people run in eighth grade,” Phiri said. “It’s a gift I’ve always had, and I’ve always worked hard to make sure that I could make it to where I am now.”

Recruiting Phiri was a no-brainer for A&M coach Pat Henry.

Phiri owned a well-established reputation and wasted no time making a national name for himself after his family moved to England. He quickly locked down his age group in the sprints, winning the national crown in his age group from 2003-06. Perhaps one of Phiri’s most impressive accomplishments came in 2005, when, at age 16, he finished fifth overall in the British Indoor Championships. He was the youngest sprinter in the final by three years.

“He is a good talent,” Henry said. “He’s done very well, but he’s young and is learning every time he gets on the track. We have to be pleased with how he’s done since he’s been here. He is very, very talented. (What he’s done indoors) is a good look at what he can do, but when you look at last year’s conference meet outdoors (when he won the 100 and 200)…as a freshman, that doesn’t happen.”

Another instance that rarely happens is finding a college student as well-spoken and experience-driven as Phiri. In fact, in this season’s media guide, Phiri noted that he came to College Station for “life changing experiences.”

For Phiri, who has experienced a multitude of cultures and nationalities, living in College Station has opened his eyes even more. Even the Texas slang—words like “howdy,” “y’all” and “fixin’ to”—were a new experience.

“It was kind of funny the first time I was in a class during my first semester,” Phiri said. “The professor came in and said “Howdy!” and about 300 people all shouted it back. I didn’t know what it was at first, but I have quickly joined in that.

“I’ve met people from different countries, and even people from different parts of Texas are completely different. My life changing experience (here) is about learning more from different people and different cultures. (It’s more about) maturing in myself and being more competent in terms of what else is out there.”

The opening of the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium inside the McFerrin Athletic Center has helped shape Phiri’s immediate future, as well. Prior to the facility’s ribbon cutting earlier this year, A&M track and field had not hosted a home meet in four-and-a-half years. Consequently, an entire class of Aggie athletes graduated without ever performing in front of a home crowd.

That will likely never be the case again.

A&M played host to five indoor meets from January-March, including both the Big 12 and NCAA championships.

Phiri, in particular, was grateful for the opportunity to compete in front of his fellow students. He’s done his part in telling classmates and people in the community about upcoming meets, and Phiri noted that even his barber has come out to watch him race.

Phiri’s parents now live in Frisco, Texas, and the new facility has allowed them to see their son compete for the first time in two-and-a-half years.

“That’s been the greatest thing about having this fantastic facility here,” Phiri said. “Last year, we were traveling to New York and Arkansas, and with my mother working and my brother having school, it was hard for them to fly away on Friday and back on a Sunday. They were able to come to three meets this year. I got them tickets right on the finish line. Every time I cross (the line), I can see them there…it’s been fantastic.”

The Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium has also given fans a chance to see just how impressive A&M’s athletes truly are. The 60 meter dash and 60 meter hurdles have become a fan favorite. Unlike some indoor track facilities, the sprint lanes at A&M are set up outside of the main competition oval, basically pressed up against the grandstands. That means some spectators are literally just feet away from the lanes when the competitors speed by.

In Phiri’s case, running also represents a way to express something very important to him: his faith. With a father who is a pastor, religion has played a large role throughout Phiri’s life. Phiri currently attends a non-denominational church in College Station, and he said he often finds his faith intertwined with his athletic endeavors.

“I believe I’ve been given a fantastic gift,” Phiri explained. “I feel it would be insulting if I did not use this gift to its fullest. To me, track is more about me showing people what God can do through me. I’ve learned to rely on God a lot. I always find that when my relationship with him is strongest, I perform at my best. I go through my Bible often, and it does help a lot when I read my Bible because it will relate to my everyday life and to my track.”

Phiri said one Bible verse he draws inspiration from is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“It helps me be strong and keep trust in God,” Phiri said. “It’s really helped me a lot, so I keep giving God the glory. I want people to see me do well in track, and I want people to say ‘there’s something about him.’ That something that they will be seeing, hopefully, is God. Whether it’s the hard work or perseverance—I want people to see that and say if Gerald can work hard, I can work hard and do great things, too.”