The 37th annual Colgate Women’s Games saw three long-standing records fall and a fourth tied at Pratt Institute, in a season that also featured record-breaking participation. More than 11,500 girls and young women travelled each week from as far north as Boston and as far south as Virginia, and one young lady travelled all the way from Chicago to run.

The commitment on the part of competitors and parents to get to Brooklyn from so far away, up to five times and back, through any weather is a testimony to the importance of the Colgate Games. The games have become a proving ground for the nation’s best talent and a stepping-stone for countless young ladies that go on to college and become successful productive citizens.

Meet director Fred Thompson said the games are not only for Olympic hopefuls and national champions.

“Well over 11,000 girls enjoyed a great season, made new friends and had a positive experience that will last a lifetime,” said Thompson Thousands will come back every year and their lives will be changed for the better.”

The 217 finalists of all ages competed at Madison Square Garden this past weekend, and some of this year’s special award winners and additional outstanding performances included Sandreka Bancroft of Queens, who broke a 27-year-old record in the Mid School 55 Meter Hurdles (7.9), and ran an 8.37 at the Garden. She took home the Bill Cosby Trophy for the Outstanding Competitor at the semifinals at Pratt.

Lateisha Philson of Queens, who broke the High School 55 Meter Hurdles (7.6) ran an 8.19 at the Garden, and Claudia Francis of Queens ran her best race of the season, and possibly a national best this year in the 800 meters in 2:11.41.

Complete results and photos of award winners are available at colgategames.com. Information and entry materials for the 38th annual Colgate Women’s Games will be available at the web site in October of 2011.