Classical’s Bangura is set to run down under

LYNN – Agnes Bangura has never been outside the United States. In fact, the Lynn Classical sophomore has never left New England. But thanks to her speed on the track, Bangura will find herself halfway around the world in July.
A standout sprinter for Classical, Bangura has been selected to run in the 15th annualDown Under Track & Field Meet in Australia, a competition that features 300 elite high school athletes from 10 nations. The three-day event will follow five days of practice.
?It gives these athletes a great chance to see where they stand amongst the best in their age group,” said Classical track coach Karli Washington.
The selection came as a surprise to Bangura,a standout sprinter in the 100- and 200-meter races and the 4×100 meter relay for the Rams. One day in September, Bangura received a letter during school, inviting her to take part in the event.
?I cried when I got the (selection) letter,” said Bangura. “It was fascinating for me to get chosen, never having been outside the country.”
Bangura is the third Classical athlete selected for the meet, which will be held at Griffith University in Queensland. Senior Jen Gaudet, one of Bangura?s teammates and also a member of her 4×100-meter relay team, went last year.Rebecca Potter, who graduated in 2014, also attended.
?It was so exciting, and everyone should get a chance to go,” said Gaudet. “I went there knowing that there would be girls who were faster and better than me, but I was able to push myself harder and compete. It was a learning experience, and the coaches and other athletes gave us advice and had a lot to offer.”
Like Gaudet, Bangura has been a force for Classical in her events this season, placing first in almost every meet.
?Agnes is a gifted athlete who will do a wonderful job representing Classical in Australia,” athletic director Bill Devin said. “Being only a sophomore, she has unlimited potential in the sport for the next two years before she heads to the collegiate level.”
The trip is more than just a track meet. There?s also a significant cultural component. The 11-day trip includes a stop in Hawaii with a visit to Pearl Harbor. The entire itinerary is planned for the student-athletes, including sightseeing tours, a trip to the Great Barrier Reefoff the coast of Queenslandand a wildlife sanctuary, and dinners with other high school students from around the world.
?This would be a trip of a lifetime for Agnes,” said Classical principal Gene Constantino. “It would open her eyes to see and compete with elite athletes from around the world. She is just a wonderful young lady whoalways has a smile. She has such an unassuming way about her that I am sure she has no idea of what the impact of a trip like this will be for her.”
While she?s looking forward to the athletic aspect of the trip, there are a few other things Bangura is also excited about.
?We get to go see koalas and kangaroos,” Bangura said. “I have to take pictures with them. I?m also excited to hear Australian accents ? I love accents, and I know theirs are really thick.”
But the trip won?t be all fun and games. Bangura realizes how important ? and unique ?
an opportunity like this one can be.
?I don?t have wealth,” she said. “So for me to be chosen to go out and run, it means a lot. Being selected, it made me happy. It made my parents happy and proud. And to get the chance to go to Australia and be seen by so many people ? it?s a huge opportunity.
?My sisters, they both went to community college, and this would probably give me a chance to be seen by recruiters and maybe have a chance to go to a college in another state, maybe even get a scholarship.”
Bangura has been working to raise enough money to fund the trip, which she estimates will cost about $5,000. She?s been selling shirts, supplied to her by the organization sponsoring the event. She and Washington have created a gofundme page, hoping people will contribute whatever they can.
?I?m trying to think of other