Victor 'Poppy' Thomas - File

SINCE taking up duties as head track and field coach at Division II school, Lincoln University in Missouri, it has been smooth-sailing for the former Camperdown High and St Andrew Technical High School coach, Victor 'Poppy' Thomas as his female team has captured three NCAA indoor titles and five outdoor titles.

The year 2008 was, however, not a winning one for Thomas as his championship hopes suffered a major setback before the season started. After competing at the 2007 World Championships for Jamaica in Osaka, one of his top athletes, Davita Prendergast, went professional. In two years, Prendergast had been his trump card and her absence was really missed.

Our winning chances

"Injuries over the past season also affected our winning chances as former Queen's High athlete Janika Martell and the University of Technology athletes Marcia Woolery and Carla Thomas were injured ," said Thomas.

Thomas stated that the athletes from the Caribbean have played significant roles in his team's success over the years.

"Most of the athletes in my squad are from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, The Bahamas and Jamaica and they have really helped the programme to move in a positive way," he continued.

In two recent indoor meets, athletes coached by Thomas have started well with new recruit Nyoka Cole, the former Holmwood Technical athlete leading the way with a record-breaking performance in the 60 metres in Kansas. Thomas is optimistic that his team will do very well indoors but there is a question mark over the outdoor season.

Fingers crossed

"All my athletes will be eligible for indoors but the likes of Jody Ann Powell, Carla Thomas, Marcia Woolery (all Jamaicans) and Bahamanian Michelle Cumberbatch will be competing in their final indoors season while they are not eligible for outdoors. These athletes are big point earners but with the addition of a few athletes who will be coming in for the outdoor season, we are keeping our fingers crossed," he explained.

Thomas, who also coaches the men's team, has eight Jamaicans in his squad.

Despite being in a new system the Jamaican men had no problems in settling down.

"The athletes from Jamaica adjusted quite easily as when they arrived at Lincoln, they saw many of their former teammates from Jamaica and because of this they do not see themselves as strangers," Thomas said.

The athletes are now on a break for Christmas but the new year will be very busy. Action restarts on the second Saturday of 2009. Thomas' team will travel to compete in an indoor meet at the University of Missouri.