Promising up and coming sprinter Monica Korowi leaves for the United States today (Wednesday 17 February) where she will join the track team at WmCarey University in Hattiesburg Mississippi whilst studying Health Information Management.
The former Gordons Secondary School student was identified by Athletics PNG in March 2019 at the Pacific Games selection trials which were held in Kimbe.
She had been participating in local competitions in Port Moresby after relocating from Goroka early in 2017 where she had first started running as a 13 year old with the Givim 60 athletics club run by John Hou.
Korowi attended the 2018 National Championships whilst attending Gordons Secondary, which is one of the schools that has strongly supported Port Moresby Athletics for many years.
It was at the Oceania Under 18 Championships which were held in Townsville in June 2019 where Korowi established herself as a quality sprinter.
Competing against athletes from Australia and New Zealand as well as Pacific Islanders, she won the bronze medal in both 100m and 200m, clocking times of 12.84 and 26.47 secs respectively in the process.
After missing out on selection for further studies the 18 year old turned her attention last year to seeking alternative ways of furthering her education, and with the assistance of Athletics PNG connected with WmCarey University.
“The Covid 19 pandemic has created a very challenging environment for everyone, but it has also created some opportunities for our athletes.” said APNG President Tony Green.
“Monica will be receiving a scholarship which will go a long way towards covering her tuition costs. Its not a full scholarship, but Monica has not had the opportunity to compete and prove her ability so it is really a very good offer and we are very grateful to Sprints and Hurdles Coach Malcolm Dias for the confidence he is showing in Monica by giving her this opportunity.”
Green also commended the family for a great fundraising effort over the past year without which Monica would not be able to take up this opportunity.
There are currently 19 girls in the track and field team at Wm Carey including a few good sprinters so Korowi will not be short of good quality good training partners to push her. WmCarey University is a Private Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention.
It is a small school by US standards, with an undergraduate population of less than 3000 and approx. 220 teaching staff. Coach Dias said that he was looking forward to welcolming Monica to the WmCarey track & field family,adding that he believes she will be good fit academically, athletically, and personally.
“We have built a successful team which Monica will add value to, and I’m sure she will represent her country well.”
National 100m hurdles champion and former US Collegiate athlete Adrine Monagi has been assisting Korowi with her training for the past few months and is very pleased with her preparations for what will be a life changing experience.
“Monica has been consistently running sub 8 seconds for the 60m in her trials,” said Monagi