Oct. 8, 2010

Story courtesy of Dan Chelstrom, Sports Information Director

Commonwealth Games | More Info

DICKINSON, N.D. -- Former Dickinson State (N.D.) men’s track and field standouts Ramon Miller and La’Sean Pickstock are competing in the 19^th Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, representing their native Bahamas.   On Sept. 14, Miller and Pickstock were named to the 25-member Bahamian contingent that includes 14 track and field athletes, six tennis players, three cyclists, and two boxers. Both will compete in the 4x400 meter relay, while Miller has already began competition in the 400-meter dash.

Miller ran a season best 46.12, beating Ben Offereins of Australia who finished in 46.85, to win the second of six heats during round one of the 400 meter dash yesterday.  Miller’s next race is today, where he will compete in the third semifinal heat and race out of lane 5. 

Miller and Pickstock will team up again for the 4x400 meter relay as they did during their Dickinson State days; this time on Monday, Oct. 11 for the event’s opening rounds.

“We are very excited that La’Sean and Ramon have the opportunity to run in the Commonwealth Games,” said Dickinson State head track and field coach Pete Stanton.  “For Sean, this is a great opportunity for him to show to his country what he is capable of doing and to get him some experience at the world level in the relays.  For Ramon, it is nice to see him get back and compete after being injured early in the year this year.  He has worked hard to get himself back in his form from 2009. Both of these athletes will represent their country and our University very well. We are very proud of their accomplishments.”

As a Dickinson State athlete, Ramon Miller was a four-time NAIA National Champion and 10-time NAIA All-American.  In 2007, Miller set the NAIA Indoor 400 meter record and was a member of the 2006 squad that set the NAIA Indoor 4x400 meter relay record as well.

Miller was a silver medalist for the Bahamas in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, where their 4x400 meter relay finished second.  Miller also competed in the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, racing to a personal best time of 44.99 for 400 meters.

While competing for the Blue Hawks, La’Sean Pickstock was a six-time NAIA National Champion and 12-time NAIA All-American.  In 2009, Pickstock was a member of the NAIA National Champion 4x400 meter relay that set DSU’s school record of 3:06.58.

Pickstock recently competed for the Bahamian 4x400 meter relay team that finished second at the 2010 Central American (CAC) Games.  Their time of 3:01.82 currently ranks #5 in the world among national teams.