Wolmer's hurdler gets track scholarship

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

Sprint hurdler Yanick Hart will take up a full track- and-field scholarship at the University of Florida in August after a successful tenure at Wolmer's Boys' School where he has been team captain for the past two years.

Hart, who moved from Manning's School to Wolmer's Boys as a third former, is looking forward to his new school."I am really excited about going to the University of Florida as I have done my research on this school and I found out it is one of the best Division One schools in the United States, as it has turned out brilliant students both in the classroom and on the track, and I am confident that I have made the right choice," said Hart when asked about his choice of school.

Hart has done very well at Wolmer's. In his first year, while competing in Class Two at the annual Boys' Championships, he won the 110 metres hurdles when favourite Stefan Fennell from Kingston College fell. Hart has also won the event in Class One while in this, his final year, he finished third behind Kingston College's Omar McLeod and Jamaica College's Tyler Mason. Hart was also a member of his school's sprint relay team, which won at the Penn Relays in 2011 and 2012. They were third at this year's relays.

Representation

The 19 year-old has also represented the country at the junior level in both the 110 metres hurdles and 4x100 metres. His latest junior cap was a year ago when he competed at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Hart, who gained eight CXC subjects in fifth form, and who will be majoring in law at his new school, had some kind words for the students of his alma mater.

"I am like a big brother to my former teammates at Wolmer's Boys, and I will continue to be a big brother for them wherever I go, and I will always be willing to give a helping hand. They must always remember that, despite your skills in track-and-field, you must never forget the academics, because, without this, I would not have got this opportunity to gain a track scholarship," Hart said.