CB/UWI Run to honour Ricketts

PARIS OLYMPICS silver medallist Shanieka Ricketts will be this year’s special honouree at the CB/UWI Scholarship Run, set to take place on Sunday, November 24, at the UWI Mona campus.

The event raises funds for the UWI Scholarship Fund, which helps outstanding students in dire financial need to continue and complete their education by funding tuition and other associated expenses.

Executive director, Institutional Advancement Division at UWI and chair of the event committee, Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, says her body was pleased to honour Ricketts, recognising her consistent excellence in competition as well as her commitment to being a worthy ambassador for Jamaican sport. “Shaneka Ricketts has done Jamaica proud, not only in competition, but also in her overall presentation through the media and other fora. We’re delighted to add her name to the illustrious list of honourees,” said Buchanan-Hind. Ricketts joins previous honourees Asafa Powell, Hansle Parchment, legendary athletics coach Glen Mills, the Reggae Girlz, Shericka Jackson, netball legends Connie Francis and Molly Rhone, Omar McLeod, and football coach Neville ‘Bertis’ Bell.

Ricketts (nee Thomas), started in athletics at age six, where her physical education teacher at primary school noted her unusually long legs and moreover, that she was faster than most of her fellow students – boys and girls.

“I loved it from the start,” Ricketts recalled.

She first came to wider prominence as a student at former track and field powerhouse Vere Technical.

A six-time national champion, Ricketts has dominated her sport at virtually every level of competition. Competing for the San Diego State University Aztecs, Ricketts won the 2013 and 2014 triple jump at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships. A two-time World Athletics Championships silver medallist, Ricketts also has Commonwealth Games gold in her trophy case. She has also topped the prestigious Diamond League series in her event.

The CB Group/UWI 5K Scholarship Run is open to individuals, clubs, corporate groups, and wheelchair participants.

Since its inception in 2012, the event has provided 300 scholarships, with several recipients going on to graduate with honours and to noteworthy careers.