Korowi leaves for US university to study, join track team

UPCOMING sprinter Monica Korowi left yesterday for the United States where she will join the track team at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, while studying health information management.
The former Gordon 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 competitions in Port Moresby after relocating in 2017 from Goroka where she had first started running as a 13-year-old with the Givim 60 athletics club which is run by John Hou.
Korowi attended the 2018 national championships while attending Gordon Secondary, which is one of the schools that has strongly supported Port Moresby athletics for many years.
Korowi established herself as a quality sprinter in the 2019 Oceania Under-18 Championships, which were held in Townsville, Australia.
Competing against athletes from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, she won bronze in 100m and 200m, clocking times of 12.84 seconds and 26.47s respectively.
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 connected with William Carey University with the assistance of Athletics PNG (APNG).
“The Covid-19 pandemic has created a very challenging environment for everyone, but it has also created some opportunities for our athletes,” APNG president Tony Green said.
“Monica will be receiving a scholarship which will go a long way towards covering her tuition costs.
“It’s 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 her family for a great fundraising effort over the past year without which Monica would not be able to take up the opportunity.