The Mid-Island Strider?s Track Club saw two more athletes leave for college this month to continue their academic and athletic education.

Shahnel Woodley, who has only been running track for two years, headed off to Laney College in Oakland California to study social work and to train under top US coach Curtis Taylor, who trains among many others the best high school female triple-jumper in the US.

Woodley first found out about Laney, a two-year college just outside of Oakland, California from one of her coaches, Bill Euler. Euler had met head coach Taylor a few years back at a coach?s summit in Denver, Colorado and was impressed with his knowledge and expertise.

Woodley will join other Striders athletes abroad including Shianne Smith (Long Beach Community College in Long Beach, California), Keira Hill (Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland), Melissa Clarke (Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois), Joella Foster, (Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas and Whitney Matthew (Mercersburg Academy Prep School in Pennsylvania).

In addition to the seven female athletes, Striders long-jumper Keimar Clarke will be heading to Wallace State Community College in March.

Another Striders athlete, Jasmine Brunson, is being strongly considered by the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Last year Brunson broke the Under 15 inter-school record as well as the Over-15 inter-school mark as well.

That jump of 5.76 metres has qualified her for a full scholarship at any university in the US.