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Hamilton Grad Sets World-Leading Time In 200 Meter Dash

ELMSFORD, N.Y. — Speedster Trisha-Ann Hawthorne, a record holder at Alexander Hamilton High School, can now proudly say that she's one of the fastest women in the world.

Trisha-Ann Hawthorne, a 2007 graduate of Alexander Hamilton, is currently the women's world leader in the 200 meter dash.

Trisha-Ann Hawthorne, a 2007 graduate of Alexander Hamilton, is currently the women's world leader in the 200 meter dash.

Photo Credit: Trisha-Ann Hawthorne

Hawthorne, a 2007 Hamilton graduate, ran the 200 meter dash in Boston's Terrier Invite in 23.11 seconds   – giving her the current fastest time in the world in the 2013 indoor season. Being "world leader" is exciting for the 23-year-old professional runner, who has also represented the Jamaican national team in the Junior Olympics and the Under-23 league.

"It was a proud moment, looking at the clock," the former Elmsford resident said. "It just gives me confidence for the outdoor season."

Hawthorne is no stranger to setting records. She still holds eight track records at Hamilton and a handful at the University of Connecticut, her alma mater, where she still trains under her former coach, Clive Terrelonge.

It wasn't until her senior year at Hamilton that Hawthorne realized it was time to take running seriously, she said.

"I didn't really think too far into it. I took [it] meet by meet," she said. "But then I got the opportunity to come to UConn, thanks to [Hamilton track] coach Rich MacLeish. It became a full-time job, being a student-athlete."

In her college and professional career, Hawthorne has already become a four-time winter track league champion, a three-time spring track league champion and a state championship finalist, among other accomplishments. While she's used to racing through her challenges, Hawthorne said she wants to take her professional career step by step.

Her goal is to represent Jamaica at the Moscow World Championships in June, which will require qualifying through two sets of trial rounds.

"For now, I'm just basking in the moment," said Hawthorne, who still visits Elmsford frequently to see her parents. "I'm working out harder than I've ever worked out. This year is going to be extremely different."

 

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