49th Annual Colgate Women’s Games Registration Day at the Armory

By Jared McCallister | Photo credit: COLGATE WOMEN’S GAMES

Braving brisk pre-winter weather on Saturday, November 30, athletes, parents, coaches and supporters from across the Northeast attended the first registration day for the 49th Annual Colgate Women’s Games, the nation’s longest-running indoor track and field series for girls and women.

Now through January 5, 2025, girls enrolled in first grade and above, as well as women in college and beyond can sign up to participate in the popular sporting event, which runs from December 29 through February 1. There is no charge to register, compete, or attend events. Athletes can register online at — ColgateWomensGames.com — and attend the next in-person registration day on December 14 in Brooklyn at Pratt Institute’s Student Union building, 200 Willoughby Ave., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At the registration event, athletes will pick up a Competitor’s Packet, which includes a free competitor’s shirt and bib number (both required to compete) and receive a complimentary package of Colgate-Palmolive’s essential health and hygiene products.

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All Colgate Women’s Games meets will be held indoors at The Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in Manhattan, 216 Fort Washington Avenue, site of the first registration day. This 49th Season marks the return to Colgate Women’s Games tradition of indoor track and field meets, which was held outdoors in Seasons 47 and 48 due to the pandemic.

From its beginning nearly 50 years ago, the Colgate Women’s Games has promoted athletic and academic excellence for young girls and women, allowing the competitors to “showcase their talents, build confidence, and pursue their dreams.”

In the series finals, Colgate-Palmolive aids the participating runners, high jumpers and shot putters in each category by awarding more than 100 educational scholarships worth $2,000, $1,000, and $500 for first, second, and third place point-scorers, respectively.

Competitors are eligible to participate in two events at each preliminary meet, before selecting a single event for the semi-finals and finals. Medals and ribbons are awarded to top place finishers in each event at preliminary meets, and trophies and medals are awarded to semi-finalists and finalists.

On November 30, unfazed by an early morning chill, a steady stream of athletes entered the state-of-the-art Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory to complete their registration process. Local participants came from New York City’s five boroughs and suburban counties, and others traveled from as far away as Boston and Philadelphia.

“I’m super excited,” said Philly Elite Track Club Coach Ali Muhsin, who traveled 90-plus miles to New York from Pennsylvania with his team. “Being in the track world, I’ve been hearing about it [Colgate Women’s Games] for years,” said Muhsin, whose female team members will be participating in the series for the first time.

Cousins Jodeen Tinglin and Kahdaia McKenzie, who attend Evander Childs High School in the Bronx, registered with high hopes for the 55-meter dash, and for their futures. “I know if I push myself at track, I can push myself in other places,” said Tinglin, who hopes to become a forensic scientist and attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice. McKenzie plans to pursue track and field in college.

Thirteen-year-old Abigail Robisk from Staten Island’s St. Charles School, registered to compete in the 400-meter dash. Though young, Robisk has amassed an athletic history, but is new to the Colgate Games. “I’ve been running track since I was in kindergarten, but this is my first year at Colgate,” she said, noting that she’s also “a competitive swimmer” whose life has been shaped by sports. “I’ve learned that you can’t always win, but you also learn from your losses,” said Robisk.

Abigail Robisk of Staten Island

Coach Martina Grant, from the Forest Hills High School girls track team in Queens, said a contingent of 30 athletes will represent the school in Colgate this season. One of her athletes, 12th-grader Emmanuelle Nyanld, was grateful to her coach for introducing her to Colgate. “Coach had taught me mental strength. When you run, you see a lot of people who are better than you, and you understand how much of the competition is in your own head. I’ve learned to basically compete with myself and change my mindset.”

For college-bound students Manah Cash and Mikayla Jacob of Brooklyn’s Clara Barton High School, participating in extracurricular activities is a big plus. “We both want to be pediatricians,” said Cash. “Doing extracurricular activities looks good on your transcript for getting into college.”

Manah Cash and Mikayla Jacob of Brooklyn’s Clara Barton High School

Running since she was five years old, 6th grader Charlotte Phipps of Central Queens Academy in Yonkers, said, “My dad is a runner and he got me into it. He taught me hard work pays off.” Phipps plans to compete in the 800-meter and 1500-meter runs.

Ten-year-old sprinter Kaylyn Sutherland, of Baldwin Middle School in Baldwin in Long Island, who attended registration with her father, was carefully weighing her running options for the Colgate Women’s Games. “I might do the 200 [meters], because that’s what I’m good at,” said Sutherland, who’ll be competing in the series’ Middle School Division.

Nine-year-old Gabriella Valerio — a fourth grader who traveled from Harriman, New York in upstate Orange County — plans on running the 200- and 55-meter dashes in her Colgate Women’s Games debut next month. “As far as the track experience, now that she’s more engaged, she’s ready to run, have fun and be excited.” said Gabriella’s mother Shatia Valerio, who came to the registration with her husband Jerry. “And this is a phenomenal experience for us,” she said.

Colgate-Palmolive has been the title sponsor of Colgate Women’s Games for nearly 50 years, supporting the program since its founding in 1974 by legendary Brooklyn track coach, the late Fred Thompson.

For more information on Colgate Women’s Games, the competition events and requirements, as well as information on registration, visit www.ColgateWomensGames.com and follow on Instagram.