Another Bermudian may be heading to college in the USA compliments of his athletics exploits.

LoVintz Tota's long-jump prowess at last week's Florida Relays has earned him a scholarship offer from Florida A&M University, pending him attaining the required SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Tests) scores.

The Mid-Island Striders Track Club star beat more than 30 boys to win the 3A Division's (second-highest category) long jump at the meet with a series of jumps all beyond 22 feet. Not only that, in the preliminaries, he leapt to a new personal record of 23 feet five-and-a quarter inches. His previous best was 21 feet six inches.

"LoVintz scratched his first two jumps in the trials and then his third jump was the 23-feet one, his new PR. Then in the finals his jumps were all above his previous personal best. It was a great performance," said Tota's coach Bill Euler who organised the club's third annual tour to the USA.

Tota crowned an excellent all-round showing by notching another PR in the 100 metres, finishing ninth out of 40 boys overall in 10.99 seconds. Earlier, he placed third in his heat.

"Coach Roy Robinson from Florida A & M's track team approached LoVintz after his jump and offered him a scholarship pending his taking the SATs. He said the university is looking for a long jumper," explained Euler, adding that his star athlete is very excited about the prospect.

The 17-year-old who attends CARE Learning Centre is ecstatic about the chance to further his education while pursuing his athletics.

"I am very happy. I thought I did well to win the long jump especially because the second-place guy was a whole foot behind me. Then in the 100 metres my time (10.99 seconds) was the ninth-fastest out of 60-something people. That's a personal best too.

"I feel pretty good that they approached me. That's what I really wanted - to do my best so I could get a scholarship and come to school (college) out here.

"I am going to be studying hard. I want to get the scholarship. Opportunities like this don't come that often and I'm going to take advantage of it," said Tota, also a talented member of Devonshire Cougars football team.

Another Mid-Island Striders athlete who excelled at the meet was Keimar Clarke. He too competed in the long jump and surpassed his previous best of 18 feet five inches with a new mark of 21 feet two inches. Like Tota, all his jumps in the final were further than his former PR. Clarke (15) placed eighth in the event which his teammate won.

"Both of these boys have actually qualified for CARIFTA even though the CARIFTA team has been selected already. They have met the standards in their age groups.

"I don't know if they will be able to go because they don't train with the national team and that's the rule made up by the Bermuda Track and Field Association. I don't know if they would make an exception," said Euler, noting that "most countries bring a team together about three weeks before CARIFTA and they (Tota and Clarke) are within that time limit".

Meanwhile, another Mid-Island runner, Melissa Clarke, finished 14th out of 38 girls in the 100 metres.