The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER watching her little sister, Serena Brown, go off to college first last year, big sister Selena Brown now has the opportunity to join her as she enrols in Valley City State University in North Dakota in August.

“I feel blessed and honoured because I’ve been in track and field for a while, but through the help of God, my family and coaches, I am finally going off,” said Selena Brown, also a shot put and discus thrower.

After graduating from St Anne’s High School, an injury forced her to stay at home as she enrolled in the then College of the Bahamas. Selena Brown then took a year off to train and get ready for her participation in the NAIA Division One.

“It was really nice. It’s nice and quiet,” said Brown after she made a recent visit to the school to sign her letter of intent. “The classes are close by the dorm and my coaches are awesome. The people up there are really nice.

“I enjoyed myself up there. The weather was really cool, it’s different from Nassau where it’s hot. But I know that I can make the transition to the weather.”

Having met with the coaching staff, Selena Brown said they advised her that they just want her to be able to come in and make her contribution as she prepares to represent Valley City State at their regional and national championships next year.

At 21, Selena Brown is following in the footsteps of Serena Brown, 18, who is holding her own at Texas A&M in her freshman year. “It’s alright. It feels nice,” Selena Brown said. “It’s a small school and they want a fresh start. There are a number of athletes coming in to help build their programme, so it’s going to be a good experience for me.”

When she goes, Selena Brown hopes to study business administration as a major and accounting as a minor as she looks to become a certified professional accountant. No doubt the Brown’s house won’t be the same with both daughters off to school.

“They’re happy,” said Selena of her parents, Sonjia and Whittington Brown.

“They’re kind of sad because around here will be kind of quiet. So it’s mixed emotions, but it’s more happiness because the two of us will be in college.”

Her father, Whittington, said it’s a wonderful feeling to finally get Selena off. “The older is supposed to go out first, but she fought through some injuries and she wasn’t able to achieve the things that she wanted to achieve,” he said. “We’re just so extremely excited and proud of her.  She went to coach (Corrington) Maycock and she got a new lease on life. She went to his camp in August last year and after she went there, she got motivated again.”

The facilitator, coach April Smith from Fresno State, was able to work with her in getting over her injuries and things just started to turn for her from there.

“So we are very excited to have the two girls doing the same sport,” he said. “One is in a warm state competing in the NCAA and the other will be in a cold state in the NAIA. So we are very happy and proud of what they are going to be doing.”