Cool runnings

The island nation of Jamaica brings to mind beautiful ocean views and a setting often described as a tropical paradise.

But in addition to beautiful scenery, Jamaica -- along with many of the other tropical island nations such as Trinidad, Tobago, Cuba and the Bahamas -- produces some of the top sprinters in the world.

This past offseason, the UW track team added two of the best sprinters that Jamaica had to offer in Patrick Davidson and Davaon Spence. Both come to the Husky squad boasting impressive resumes.

The pair grew up as friends at St. Jago High School in the Jamaican capital of Kingston and ran on the 4x100-and 4x400-meeter relay teams that swept the Jamaican national titles in 2003. Both men possess diligent work ethics and can be found at Dempsey Indoor every day working on all aspects of their events.

While the transition to major college athletics is difficult for many athletes who go to school far from home, it can be tougher on someone who is in a new country.

"It is a different level of competition because there are so many good runners from all the different schools here, and when you add in that you have all the schoolwork to do also it can be tough at times," said Spence. "But I do have my friend here to help me through it all," he said ,motioning to Davidson.

Spence and Davidson agree that, while there are aspects they miss about their native country, the transition has not been too difficult for them.

"The only thing I miss about Jamaica right now is my family, friends and the food. The weather, (well) sometimes I wish that I could walk outside without my shirt on but that's the sacrifice that you have to make," Spence said.

"In Jamaica we are used to training outdoors all year round, but here you have to come inside because it is cold," Davidson added.

One of the things Spence and Davidson said was different about running in Jamaica is that track is much more popular in their homeland than it is in the United States.

"Track is the biggest sport we have in Jamaica. At our high school we had 32,000 in the stadium, which is a lot for a track meet," Spence said. "Here when you go to a meet you see other athletes and some parents, so you focus on what you do."

So far the indoor season has been a little kinder to Spence than it has Davidson. Spence has team-leading marks of 6.91 and 21.86 seconds in the 60 and 200 meters, respectively, while Davidson has been hampered by an injury.

Sprints coach Dion Miller said both of his young Jamaican sprinters have a wealth of untapped talent.

"They have the talent to be an impact in the Pac-10 in the sprints. Whether or not they are going to be Pac-10 champions remains to be seen," Miller said. "But the fact is that we have brought some better kids to the UW campus as far as track goes. As far as potential goes the sky is the limit. Just like anything else you have to come in and put the work in."

As for the rest of the season, Davidson and Spence both share the same goals.

"I want to help make the UW the best track program that it can be," Davidson said.

Spence added, "I want to help turn this program around and make it one of the best."

There is one other goal that both men said they would love to accomplish.

"I want to run in the trials and make the Jamaican Olympic team. If I run the way that I can, and everything goes well, I feel like I will be in Athens this summer," Spence said, flashing a wide grin after his friend nodded in agreement.

If they have it their way, after they finish their duties for the Purple and Gold, these two could be off to Athens wearing the green, black and yellow of Jamaica.