SPC track star finalist at Olympic games

by Cody Barron, staff writer

 

 

Renny Quow came to SPC with a distinguished track record.

This summer, at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, he was given the opportunity to show the world his track skills. 

Quow, representing his home country of Trinidad and Tobago, finished seventh in the gold-medal round of the 400-meter relay. 

“I was upset at the end of the race,” said Quow.  “I felt like I could have run a better race.” 

Quow’s time of 45.22 seconds in the finals came just two days after setting a personal-best time of 44.82 seconds while finishing fourth in the semi-final run.  His semi-final time was a mere 0.7 seconds behind semi-final winner and eventual Olympic champion American LeShawn Merritt.  Despite his disappointment with his final run, Quow assures that he is extremely proud of how he represented his home country.

Quow was not the only track and field contender with SPC ties.  Former SPC and Louisiana State University standout Isa Phillips competed for Jamaica in the men’s 400-meter hurdles.  Also, former SPC and Texas Tech University standout Andrae Williams helped the Bahamas to a silver medal in the men’s 4x400-meter relay.

Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Quow was one of five brothers, three of which were older.

“My family inspires me most,” Quow says.  “They’re always encouraging me and keeping me going, especially my father.”

Quow remembers seeing his father, who worked at a local Hilton hotel, running on the track at the hotel’s fitness facility.

 “I would jog with my father at the track, which eventually turned into running,” says Quow.

Although the Summer Olympic Games served as his latest, and probably most publicized, running event, Quow is no stranger to high-profile competition. 

The sprinter helped the South Plains College men’s track and field team to the 2008 National Junior College Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field National Championship, where he placed first in the 400-meter dash.

In 2006, Quow posted first-place finishes in the 400-meter dash at the CAC Junior Championship, the Trinidad National Championship and the World Junior Championship, which was also held in China.  In addition to these accolades, Quow owns the Trinidad and Tobago National Junior record in the 400-meter dash.

While everyone, Quow included, is looking forward to the 2012 Olympic games in London, he has his eyes set on the near future.

“I’m training for the 2009 World Championships right now,” says Quow about his current training regimen. “But I’ll be ready to run again in the Olympics.”

As far as his time this summer in Beijing, it was definitely an experience to remember for Quow.  He says that he had time to enjoy other activities when he wasn’t competing. 

When asked about his favorite part of the Olympic experience besides the games themselves, Quow laughed and said, “Shopping.  Definitely shopping.”

 

 Photo by Michael Guevara/Plainsman Press