1. Abilene Wildcats Athletic Club Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence 1963 - 2013

2. In September 1963 the Abilene Wildcats Athletic Club was founded in Arima by Cliff Bertrand Gold and Blue was chosen as the club colours in keeping with that of the Arima Borough In addition to the competion uniform each athlete at its beginning received a warm-up track suit with the Abilene Wild Cats Logo displayed at right. 3. The Early Years The Abilene Wildcats Athletes were a bit hit in their debut to organized Track & Field. After its first big track event in 1964, two of the T&T Newspapers headlines were:and 4. The Early Years(Continued)In the first two years the of its existence, the Abilene Wildcats began to dominate the Track & Field arena in Trinidad & Tobago Some of the noteworthy performamces of the early years were:Cliff Bertrand beats US athletes Mel Pender and Charlie Mays in 200 meters at Southern GamesAt the 1965 Southern Games, the underdog Abilene 4x100 meters relay team surprisingly won their race and established a new T&T record for that event with the quartet of Albert King, Winston Short, Ozzie Joseph and Cliff Bertrand. 5. The Early Years(Continued)Other Newspaper Headlines of the Early PeriodCliff Bertrand wins 400 meters at 1965 BP Games. Cilff and Winston Short of Abilene Wildcats also won the 200 meters in the Mens A and B events. 6. The Early Years (Continued) Lets meet some of the Athletes of the Early PeriodOther noteworthy athletes include: Winston (Fox) Emmanuel, Wayne Martinez, Mervyn Lewis, Selwyn Griffith, Ozzie Joseph, Keith Bertrand, Kelvin James, Larry Betaudier, Winston Lopez, 7. The Early Years (Continued) Abilene Wildcats Athletes of the Early Period (continued) Towards the end of the 1960s many of Abilenes feature athletes had achieved athletic scholarships to various Universities in the United States of America: In the fall of 1966 both Lennox Yearwood and Winston Short received scholarships at Grambling University. In 1967 Michael Gibbs went to the University of Wisconsin In 1968 Winston (Fox) Emmanuel, Keith Bertrand, and Mervyn Lewis left for Eastern Kentucky University. In 1969 Neville Walker, and Errol Welch went to the University of Wisconsin.Lennox Yearwood (above Right) Competed for Abilene Wildcats 1963 to 1966, Rep. T&T at the 1965 Central American & Caribbean Games Rep. T&T at the 1966 British Commomwealth Games Won Gold Medal on T&Ts World Record 4x440yds Relay Team, Rep. T&T at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.Winston Short (above Left) Competed for Abilene Wildcats 1963 to 1966, Rep. T&T at the 1965 Central American & Caribbean Games Rep. T&T at the 1966 British Commomwealth Games, Rep. T&T at the 1967 Pan American Games in Canada, Rep. T&T at the 1968In 1969 there was also a coaching change in Abilene: Cliff Bertrand returned to the USA to resume his Post Graduate Studies and Cecil Walker took over the coaching task. At Right:The 1965 record 4x100m relay quartet of Albert King, Winston Short, Ozzie Joseph, and Cliff Bertrand after the Abilene Reunion in 2006. 8. The Early Years (Continued) And then there was Charles (Charlie) Joseph Charlie wins at Southern GamesCharlie wins 400 meters at National Championships Hail Charlie Sprint King Charlie isCharles (Charlie) Joseph Track Career Highlights:Represented T&T at Southern Games 1969 and 1970 Olympic Games -Munich, Germany 1972 Central American & Caribbean Games 1975 Pan American Games 1975, Olympic Games Montreal, Canada 1976, Central American & Caribbean Games 1977, Olympic Games Moscow, Russia 1980, A member of a World Record 4x400 Relay Team in 1971 running for the Philadelphia Pioneers. WITCO Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year 1974 A member of another World Record 4x400 relay team in 1975 running for the Seaton Hall University, USAs Eastern Athlete of the year in 1975, Big Eastsurrounded by fans after beating Hasley Crawford in the 100 meters in 10 secs flat and setting a new National 100 m Record. 9. Charlie Joseph Track Career Highlights - ContinuedCharlie at age 17 receives the Pan American Trophy for the most outstanding performance.Above: Charlie wins the 400 meter from USAs Herman Frasier in 1974 SG At Right:Charlie receives the Prime Ministers Trophy for the most outstanding athlete at the National Track & Field Championships. Another Abilene Athlete: Henrietta Nancis (in picture) was the most outstanding Female athlete at the same meet.Charlie gets a Kiss from his mother after receiving the WITCO Foundation 1974 Sportsman of the Year Trophy award. 10. Abilene in The 1970s & 1980s Abilene continued its run of successes as the 1970s began with the emergence of a new group of dedicated athletes. The female athletes within the Club were prominent, among whom were Henrietta Nancis, who was at that time the National Record holder in the 800 meters for females, Sandra Fournillier, Andrea Taylor and Laura Pierre who became three of T&Ts female 4x100 meters relay at the Carifta Games in Barbados.Nancis wins 800m at VelodromeAbove: Sandra Fournillier wins at Southern GamesAbilene scored a number of Firsts in the local T&T Track History: Abilene won the First ever 4x400 relay for women in T&T. Charlie was the first local athlete to defeat the famous Edwin Roberts. Abilenes Laura Pierre became the first female to represent T&T in an Olympic Games. In the early to late 1970s Charlie together with Ainsley Armstrong & Mervyn Lewis continued the successes of Abilene Wildcats In T&T and abroad.Above: Laura Pierre wins 200m at National Championships. 11. Abilene in The 1970s & 1980s (continued) Together with Charlie and Ainsley , the new and emerging stars of Abilene Wildcats in this Period were Anthony Husbands, Michael Paul, Carlyle Bernard, Sandra Fournillier, Ray Astor, Andrew Bruce, Hilary Bernard, Mark Noreiga, Shedley Branche, Hayden Stephen etc. Some Historical Highlights of the 70s & 80s: First Women 4x4 in T&T Abilene girls won National Championships in 1972. Kelvin James defeated Horris Tuitt in 4oom -1972 Abilene won the 100, 200, and 400 Juniors, Men & Women and 400 Seniors at 1972 National Champs. Carifta Games In the first Carifta Games in 1973 3 Abilene athletes in T&T team: Sandra Fournilier, Andrea Taylor & Laura Pierre. Pierre won Gold in the 200 & 400m. 1975 Anthony Husbands 1978 Hilary Bernard 1979 Hilary Bernard 1980 Carlyle Bernard, Hilary Bernard, Finbar Pierre. 1981 Carlyle Bernard 1983 Carlyle Bernard 1986 Sherman Kelly 1987 Trevor Hackshaw & Carlene Hayns 1988 & 1989 Mark Noieiga and Hayden Stephens.Central American & Caribbean Games (C.A.C games) 1965 Winston Short, Lennox Yearwood 1975 Charlie Joseph, Anthony Husbands 1976 Andrew Bruce 1978 Anthony Husbands, Andrew Bruce 1980 Carlyle Bernard, David Williams 1982 Hilary Bernard 1986 Carlyle BernardSeon Maxwell, Trevor Hackshaw & Mark Noreiga in 1985Pan American Games 1967 Winston Short, Lennox Yearwood 1975 Charlie Joseph, Anthony Husbands 1983 Carlyle Bernard, Andrew BruceBritish Commonwealth Games 1966 Winston Short, Lennox Yearwood 1978 Hilary Bernard 1986 Carlyle Bernard Shedley Branche, Hayden Stephen & Mark Noreiga 12. Featuring: Andrew Bruce 1976- 1983Left to Right: Edwin Noel (Police), Hasley Crawford (Texaco- Center), Swanston (Burnley) & Andrew Bruce (Abilene ) Far Right at Hampton Games 100 metersAbove: -Andrew Bruce (Abilene), Ephraim Serrette (Hampton) & Cumberbatch. Below: -Andrew Bruce (Abilene), wins 200m final at 1977 NAAA Junior Championships. Andrew Bruce (2nd. Right) competing for Michigan beats Ephraim Serette (2nd. Left) in the 100 meters at the 1981 Penn Relays. At Left: -Andrew Bruce (Abilene) beats Ronald Affoon (Abilene) far left, and Richard Ross (Brooklyn)Abilenes Andrew Bruce represented T&T at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow 13. Featuring: Hilary Bernard, Carlyle Bernard, and Anthony Husbands Hilary Bernard: Represented Trinidad & Tobago at the following: 1978 Carifta Games -Bahamas 1978 British Commonwealth Games Edmonton, Canada 1979 Carifta Games Kingston, Jamaica 1980 Carifta Games Bermuda 1982 Central American & Caribbean Games (CAC) Havana, CubaAnthony Husbands: Represented Trinidad & Tobago at the following: 1974 Central American & Caribbean Games (CAC) Venezuela: Gold Medals in both 100m and 200m. 1975 Carifta Games Bermuda (4x100m relay) Bronze 1976 Olympics Montreal, Canada 1978 Central American & Caribbean Games (CAC) - Columbia: (4x100m relay) Gold; 200m SilverCarlyle Bernard: Represented Trinidad & Tobago at the following: 1980 Carifta Games Bermuda: 800m Bronze, 4x400m Bronze 1981 Carifta Games Bahamas: 4x400m Bronze 1983 Carifta Games Martinique: 400m Gold, 4x400m Gold 1983 Pan American Games Caracas, Venezuela 1984 Olympics Los Angeles1986 Central American & Caribbean Games (CAC) Dominican Republic 1986 British Commonwealth Games ScotlandMichael Paul: Ray Astor:The Late 1980s was a difficult time for the Abilene Wildcats Athletic Club as there was an internal split. Some athletes remained with Abilene with coaches Mervyn Lewis, Winston (Fox) Emmanuel, and Winston Lopez. Others went with Nestor (Thomas) Brown. There were fewer athletes in Abilene since as was the character of Abilene, its own excellence was its detriment . .. . Many continued to receive athletic scholarships in the USA and eventually just a small remnant remained and in a very short time all left on scholarships. After 1993, Winston Lopez and Michael Paul kept the name of Abilene Wildcats alive as it remained very dormant on the books of the NAAA of T&T. In the year 2006, after a successful Reunion of past Abilene Wildcats athletes, there was an interest in returning Abilene to its past prominence. In the NAAAs 2007 athletic season, Abilene was again alive with many young and anxious athletes under the coaching staff of Charlie Joseph, Brian Wiltshire, Dave Sandy, Winston Lopez and Michael Gibbs 14. Ab i len e s 2 0 07 Tra ck & F i e l d S e a s on - H i g h l i gh t s Once again, as it used to be in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, the faces of excited young athletes who call themselves Abilene Wildcats were part of the sporting landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Their first track meet in 2007 was the heats of the Southern Games in which 10 athletes qualified for the finals. . . . . . In the finals Desire Harper won Gold in both her 100 and 200 m events and was awarded the Southern Games Trophy for the most outstanding female athlete in her age group. . . . . Hendricks Foncette was the most dominant among the other athletes . . . He won the Gold in the 400m for the under 17 males. The Tobago Falcons Games was the Clubs second meet in 2007. . . . The Abilene Wildcats was considered the most outstanding team at this meet. . . . The Club won 9 Gold and 2 Silver medals which included another winning efforts by Foncette in the 400m, . . Desiree Harper won all 3 sprint events: 100m, 200m, & 400m; Corey Stewart dominated both his 100m and 200m events; . . . and the Junior male athletes won both the male 4x100 m and 4x400m relays.In the remaining 2007 Track meets that followed the Abilene Wildcats continued to succeed in many of their events many times improving on their finishing times. . Darvin Sandy won the Heptathlon for Boys under 14 at the CAC Age Group trials and represented Trinidad & Tobago at the CUT games in El Salvador.Abilene 2nd. In the 4x400 m relay at 2007 Junior Champs 15. A b i l e n e s 2 0 0 8 Tr a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n - H i g h l i g h t sFoncette & Deon 1-2 at 2008 Carifta TrialsDeon Lendore at 2008 Carifta Games St KittsDesiree Harper 2nd. at 2008 Carifta TrialsThe most outstanding athletes in the 2008 Track & Field Season were:Desiree Harper at 2008 Carifta GamesUnder 11 Male = Justen OBrien Under 13 Male = Corey Stewart Under 15 Female = Desiree Harper Under 15 Male = Darvin Sandy Under 17 Female = Breanna Gomes Under 17 Male = Deon Lendore Under 20 Male = Akini ThomasAwards for International Representation Hendrix Foncette Deon Lendore Desiree Harper Darvin Sandy2008 Carifta Games 2008 Carifta Games 2008 Carifta Games 2008 C.U.T GamesHendrix Foncette at 2008 Carifta Games 16. A b i l e n e s 2 0 0 8 & 2 0 0 9 Tr a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n - H i g h l i g h t s At Left: Breanna Gomes at the Carifta TrialsIn 2009 three Abilene Wildcats athletes were selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Carifta Games in St Lucia: Kyron Joseph, Darvin Sandy and Breanna Gomes Above: Desiree Harper was featured in a full page newspaper article in August 2008Off-Season Hill Training in November 2009 17. Highlights of the 2010 Season Include: Three (3) Abilene Athletes selected to Represent T&T at the Carifta Games: Deon Lendore, Darvin Sandy, and Breanna Gomes. Deon Lendore represents T&T at the 2010 World Juniors Track & Field Championships in Moncton, Canada. Deon Lendore represents T&T at the 2010 Central American & Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. Breanna Gomes represents T&T at the 2010 Central American & Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo. Darvin Sandy represents T&T at te 2010 Youth Olympics in SingaporeA b i l e n e s 2 011 Tr a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n - H i g h l i g h t s Abilene 2011 Awardees Under 11: Chane Gomes, Aaliyah Mitchell Under 13: Justen OBrien, Maricia Peters Under 15: Jelani Brathwaite Under 17: Jonathan Farinha, Kadisha Francois Under 20: Deon Lendore, Breanna Gomes Carifta Selections: (8) Asa Guevara, Deon Lendore, Hendrix Foncette, Jonathan Farinha, Darvin Sandy, Breanna Gomes, Kadisha Francois, & Desire Harper Most Outstanding athletes: 18. A b i l e n e s 2 011 Tr a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n H i g h l i g h t s ( C o n t ) 19. A b i l e n e s 2 01 2 Tr a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n H i g h l i g h t sRenaldo Moore, Jacob St Clair and Isaiah Taylor in action during the 2012 seasonAsa Guevara at 2012 Southern GamesDeon Lendore in action for Texas A&MJonathan Farinh at 2012 Southern GamesShaquille Singuineau at 2012 Carifta GamesAsa Guevara at 2012 Carifta Games Jonathan Farinh at 2012 Carifta TrialsJonathan Farinha at 2012 Carifta Games 20. A b i l e n e s 2 01 2 T r a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n H i g h l i g h t s ( c o n t i n u e d )Jonathan Farinha wins Carifta GoldDeon Lendore Career Highlights: Represented Trinidad & Tobago at the Following: 2008 Carifta Games 2009 World Youth Championships, Italy, 400m 2009 Pan American Junior Championships 2010 Carifta Games 2010 CAC Junior Championships, Santo Domingo 2010 World Junior Championships, Canada 2011 Carifta Games 2011 CAC Championships, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 2011 Pan American Junior Championships, USA 2011 World Championships, Daegu, South Korea 2012 Olympics, London, England 2013 World Championships, Moscow, RussiaDeon Lendore at the 2012 London Olympics 21. A b i l e n e s 2 01 2 T r a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n H i g h l i g h t s ( c o n t i n u e d ) 22. A b i l e n e s 2 01 3 T r a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n H i g h l i g h t sAbilenes 4x400m relay Gold at Southern Games Above: Ayodele Taffe at 2013 Presidents ClassicAbove: Asa and Jereem at the 2013 Carifta Trials 23. A b i l e n e s 2 01 3 T r a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n H i g h l i g h t s ( c o n t i n u e d )Above & At Right: Jonathan Farinha competes at the 2013 World Youth Track & Field Championships Below: Some of Abilenes younger athletes in Action 24. Just as in the Early Years Abilene Athletes featured frequently in the Newspaper Headlines 25. A b i l e n e s 2 0 1 3 Tr a c k & F i e l d S e a s o n H i g h l i g h t s ( c o n t i n u e d )Abilene athletes at 2013 International Meets: Carifta 2013 Jonathan Farinha, Ayodele Taffe, Jereem Richards, Asa Guevara Central American & Caribbean Games 2013 Kyle Greaux, Ayodele Taffe, Jereem Richards 2013 World Youth T&F Championships Jonathan Farinha 2013 World Track & Field Championships: Deon Lendore, Kyle Greaux, Ayolele TaffeAbilene Wildcats Athletes at the Olympics 1963-2013:Cliff Bertrand-1964 Tokyo Winston Short-1968 Mexico City Lennox Yearwood-1968 Mexico City Charles Joseph-1972 Munich, 1976 Montreal, 1980 Moscow Ainsley Armstrong 1972 Munich, 1976 Montreal Laura Pierre-1972 Munich Anthony Husbands- 1976 - MontrealAndrew Bruce-1980 Moscow Jonathan Farinha Career Highlights:Michael Paul-1980 Moscow, & 1984 Los Angeles2011 Carifta Games 2012 Carifta Games 2012 World Juniors Championships 2012 CAC Juniors 2013 Carifta Games 2013 World Youth ChampionshipsCarlyle Bernard: 1984-Los Angeles Deon Lendore: 2012 London, England