Vincentian track star Brandon Valentine-Parris ran 21.48 sec. in the 200 meters in setting the meet record Sunday at the Emory Crossplex Invitational in Birmingham, Ala., according to Claflin University.
The Claflin Panthers athletic team finished 7th overall in the meet out of 19 teams.
Claflin University is a private, co-educational, liberal arts institution located in Orangeburg, S.C., about 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Columbia.
In establishing the meet record Sunday, Valentine-Parris, a former Thomas Saunders Secondary School top athlete, also set a record for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Claflin University said.
The university said Valentine-Parris also finished “just out of medal contention” in the 60-meter dash, finishing fourth, in a time of 6.97.
“Claflin had an overall good meet, as the 4×100 meter relay team, consisting of Nicholas Williams, Valentine-Parris, Daniel Montgomery and You’shi Kirkland, set the meet and school record with a time of 3:16.47,” Claflin University said.
It said the Claflin Panthers, of which Valentine-Parris is an integral part, will have a week off from competition before heading to New York City, on Feb. 5–6, to participate in the Armory Collegiate Invitational.
In a brief profile, Claflin University said Valentine-Parris, who was born on April 17, 1995 and stands at 5’9”, majors in Sports Management.
He participated in the World Youth Champs, (France 2011); World Junior Champs (Barcelona, 2012); World Junior Champs (Eugene, 2014); Commonwealth Games (Glasgow, Scotland, 2014); and NACAC Senior Champs (Costa Rica, 2015).
The university said one thing that may surprise people is that Valentine-Parris is “kind-hearted” and prays before every athletic meet.
His parents are Lesanne Valentine and Franklyn Parris; and siblings are Tastianna Parris, Quantano Parris, Shaquille Codougan, Daniellea Valentine and Reon Valentine, Claflin University said.
On his Facebook page, Valentine-Parris noted that he is a senior member of the local I.T. – D.A.T. Track Club.
His track events are: 200m, 400m, 800m, 400m hurdles and “an occasional” triple jump.
Among other things, Valentine-Parris was St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ National Under 14 Male Champ and the 2008 St. Vincent ant the Grenadines National Under 15 Male Champ.
Claflin University was founded in 1869 after the American Civil War by northern missionaries “for the education of freedmen and their children.”
The university describes itself as a “progressive, independent, liberal arts, co-educational, historically Black institution that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.”
Claflin University also said it has “provided 136 years of loyal service to the Orangeburg community, the state of South Carolina and the nation in the field of higher education.”
It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In 2014, Claflin University was ranked as “the best liberal arts college in South Carolina” by Washington Monthly.
