Costa Rica -- Fayetteville State University's Head Track & Field Coach Inez Turner recently helped lead her native country of Jamaica's U18 and U23 youth athletes at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Track & Field Championships in Costa Rica.
 
"I am thrilled to return and pay it forward to serve on the national level as a coach, and to contribute to Jamaica's long and rich track and field legacy," said Coach Turner.
 
Coach Turner was assigned to the women's 400m, men's and women's 800m & 1500m, and the mixed 4x400m relay.
 
Jamaica had representation from 69 athletes over the three-day weekend event. Overall, the team finished with 13 gold, 14 silver, and five bronze medals.
 
"The flashbacks are coming back," added Turner. "Since I was once in these young athletes' shoes, serving and digging deep to bring home goal medals from these very same games.
 
I would also like to thank the JAAA [Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association] for this selection.  Such an assignment helps me reflect on my background and what led me to coach. Something that helps to shape and pave my life's journey as an athlete and now as a coach. I am grateful for these opportunities to communicate with both our Fayetteville State University athletes and our selected Jamaican athletes about what these events can help them accomplish."
 
The championship event held at the National Stadium Sports Complex of Costa Rica featured 442 athletes from 28 countries.