PHS Senior to Compete in Track and Field Competition in Australia

Andrew Browers has been selected to represent Michigan in the Down Under International Games in Australia in July 2018. Browers is a senior at Portland High school and a member of the Raider Track team.

Browers is scheduled to leave for Australia on July 8th, with the competition occurring July 13th through 15th.

According to the organizations press release, “Down Under Sports was founded in February 1989 based upon the dream of a New Zealander by the name of George O’Scanlon. George fell in love with athletics, especially American football (gridiron) as a young man growing up in his native country of New Zealand. His desire over the years has been to promote gridiron, not only to the people of New Zealand, but also to Australia where he lived for many years. That is why George started the Down Under Bowl which eventually led to the establishment of the Down Under Hoops Classic and the Down Under International

Games. The Down Under Sports programs use the common language of sports to bridge the continents and provide a forum for athletes from around the globe to compete head-to-head in the sport they love. During the past twenty- nine years, Down Under Sports has had the opportunity to share the land down under with tens of thousands of individuals from across the United States. Some prior standouts of the Down Under Bowl include Jake “The Snake” Plummer (Denver Broncos), Ahman Green (Green Bay Packers), Rob Morris (Indianapolis Colts), Dave Dixon (Minnesota Vikings) and Jesse Williams (Seattle Seahawks).”

When asked about their recruitment and selection process, Down Under Sports Recruitment Coordinator Daniel Carolan said, “We consider all types of criteria, but generally speaking, we recruit like a college would and invite athletes based on their stats, honors, and what year they are in school. Andrew was chosen by us because of his personal record in the 200 m and he is on the team.”

As for being selected, Browers said, “Being selected to represent the entire state of Michigan in a national track tournament feels amazing, especially knowing that some NFL players and college top runners went to these tournaments.” He added, “I have always wanted to go to Australia and this is my chance to actually go, however I am nervous since I have never been on a plane before.”

Browers will be in Australia for a total of 10 days.

To cover the costs of the trip, Browers is looking to raise $5,500. The organizers have set up an online funding page where Browers says all funds will go to him. That site can be found at https://downundersports.com/payment/DB51A66D3C40.

Browers will also be selling shirts as a fundraiser. He said, “The shirts are $25 each, everyone that buys one gets put into a raffle for a paid trip to come watch the tournament for two people or a five-day cruise for two. Anyone that wants to order a shirt can email me at andrewbrowers0@gmail.com and I will be able to get them a picture of the shirt and all the details they need.”

More information about the competition can be found at downundersports.com.

As for his plans after high school, Browers says, “After high school I plan on going into software development.”