Lennox-Thomas, Tricia '88 - Track

Tricia distinguished herself at Ridley on the Field Hockey team and on the volleyball court—but she was, most notably, a track star, setting SOSSA records and winning gold at OFSSA in the 200 metre event. She won the Scott Daniel Trophy for Track and Field two years in a row and was named Ridley’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1988.

The summer after graduation, Tricia competed nationally and internationally with the Hamilton Olympic Club and received the Best Newcomer Award. Then, as a student at Princeton University, she earned a spot on the Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track Team. She set records in the 200 metre and 4x100 metre relay and helped lead the team to success in the Ivy League Championships. She won the Princeton University Women’s Outstanding Freshman Award in 1989 and earned her varsity letter three years in a row.

Over a quarter century later, Tricia's best times for various events still rank in the Princeton Women’s Top Ten. Although she vividly remembers her best and worst races, what stands out are the lessons she learned from sports about teamwork, dedication and leadership. She is quick to thank her past coaches for believing in her, including Ridley track coach Maggie Swan.

These days, Tricia gives back in her role as a coach in Pennsylvania, where she oversees a track and field programme for over 200 children, ranging from Grades One through Eight. Included in that group are her own two daughters, in whom she hopes to instil a love of sports. “I am now a proud mom,” she says, “watching my two girls run on the same Pennsylvania track I ran on years ago.”