Willis/Camden PAL

HAPPY 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

 

Whooo Weee!!!

Welcome to the home of the Willis/Camden PAL track and field program.

The Willis Camden/PAL track and field program is a youth track and field program dedicated to the development of young student/athletes. Through social and athletic interaction, our athletes are trained to compete at the highest level possible in everything they do. We stress both academic and athletic achievement.

The club was originally founded as the Willis Athletic Club (WAC) by Albert Essilfie in 1993 in memory of the late Ike Willis, a coach, mentor, and athletic director at Pennsauken High School. In 2002 the club joined forces with the Camden Police Athletic League to provide a unique opportunity for the youth of Camden, Pennsauken and its surrounding communities. As a result of this union the club changed its name to Willis/Camden PAL. We have built a strong tradition and are focused on building upon it. We currently have 7 USATF Level 1 certified volunteer coaches who are dedicated to enhancing the sport of track and field and enriching the lives of the youth in our community.

Welcome to the team!

Coach Al

Registration will close on March 15, 2013 for the 14 & Under Divisions.  Registration for the 15 - 18 Divisions will close on April 15, 2013.

Congrats to our 2012 athlete of the year winners Kassan Gary, Kareem Ali, Tierra Hooker, Zeyonna Davis, Aniyah Harmon, Simone Hopkins, Antwoine Hardy, Jermaine Owens, Kwan Wilson, Keyon Davis.

WHOOOWEEEEE!

As if a perfectly scripted ending to the most successful season in our clubs history, ten of our athletes were awarded with the title USATF-NJ Athlete of the Year for 2008 in their respective age divisions in the State of NJ.  Out of 36 winners our kids took home 10.  That is quite an accomplishment for our kids.  I know that all the coaches, parents and children are extremely proud and rightfully so,  The children worked very hard and deserve this recognition.  Not only do we know how good they are but other have now taken notice and are rewarding their accomplishments.  Again we are extremely proud and look forward to thier continued success in the future.  The award ceremony and banquet will be held on January 24, 2009 at Pines Manor in Edison, NJ.  Here is a brief recap of their 2008 accomplishemnts:

2008 Athlete of the Year Nominees 

 

Kassan Gary – (1^st) 1500, (2^nd) 800, USATF JO Regional Champ 800, 1500

 

Yusef Hollingsworth - (1^st) Long Jump (State Record 14-01.25)

 

Kyle Jones – (1^st) 100, (1^st) 200, USATF JO Regional Champ 100, 2^nd 200, 1^st 4x100

 

Blair Williams – (1^st) 3000, (2^nd) 1500, (1^st) 4 x 800, USATF JO Regional

(3^rd) 3000, 1^st 4x800

 

Antwoine Hardy (1^st 200) (State Record 24.10), (2^nd 400),  USATF JO Regional Champ 200, 400,  USATF Youth National Champ 200, 400.  USATF Junior Olympic Champ 400, Runner Up 200.

 

Tiara McDuffie – (1^st) 400 (Personal Best 59.81), (1^st 800), (1^sT) 4x400, USATF JO Regional Champ 400, 800, USATF Youth Nationals 4^th 400

 

Antwan Dickerson – (1^st) Long Jump (State Record 19-04.25), (1st) High Jump, USATF JO Regionals (2^nd) Long Jump, USATF Junior Olympics 5^th Long Jump 19-06

 

Victoria Clarke – (1^st) 100H, (1^st) 400H, USATF JO Regional Champ 400IM Hurdles

 

Jamie Jones – (1^st) 200, (1^st) 400, USATF JO Regionals 2^nd 200, 3^rd 400

 

Shaquanda Gainey – 800, Triple Jump (State Record 36-03.50), USATF JO Regional Champ 2^nd 400IM Hurdles, 3^rd Triple Jump

Antwoine Hardy finished of a very succesful 2008 campaign by winning 3 national titles and finishing a close second in another.  First up was the 2008 Youth National Championships in Charlotte, NC.  Antwoine showed his top form in winning the 200m and 400m races for the midget (11-12) boys division.  Next up was the USATF Junior Olympic National Championships in Omaha, Nebraska.  He finished first in the 400m and was runner-up in the 200m.  Antwoine only lost 2 races the whole season both by mere tenths of a second.  Due to his achievements he finished 2008 as the consensus top sprinter in his age division.