WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - St. Thomas University (STU) Baseball alumni Jerry Downs (2013-2015) represented the Colombian National Team at the 2021 Olympic qualifiers for the 2021 Toyko Summer Olympics.

He was selected in the 15th round (441st overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2015. 

Downs, currently in Double-A Affiliate Portland for the Boston Red Sox, was a 0.325 hitter, with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs in 165 games during his St. Thomas Baseball career. Downs led the Bobcats to the NAIA World Series and the program's first NAIA National Championship game appearance as a junior. 

Jerry was joined on the Colombian Olympic Qualifying Roster by his brother and top Boston Red Sox prospect, Jeter. It was the first time since Spring Training in March that the Downs brothers had the opportunity to share the field together.

 
(Jeter [left] and Jerry [right] in Colombia uniforms)

"The opportunity to represent our country, and share the same field together, was truly a special moment for my brother and me," said Jerry. "It was a great experience to play for Colombia on the Olympic Qualifying roster, and playing in front of our parents, who sacrificed so much for us to make it to that level, was truly unforgettable."

In addition to his success on the field, Downs also completed his degree and graduated in May with his B.A. in Sports Administration from St. Thomas University. Downs added, "I want to thank [Head Coach] Jorge [Perez] for allowing me to continue my education and further my professional development at St. Thomas University. Completing my degree was important to both my family and me, so I am proud to be Bobcat for Life." 

Colombia (0-3) played Canada, Venezuela, and Cuba during a "round-robin" pool-play of the qualifying rounds in the tournament. 

Baseball at the 2020 Summer Olympics begins on Tuesday, July 27, in Tokyo, Japan. 

About St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University (STU) is a private, non-profit Catholic institution committed to the academic and professional success of its students who become ethical leaders in our global community. Rich with cultural and international diversity, STU is the only Catholic archdiocesan-sponsored university in Florida. On our beautiful campus and online, the university's College of Science, College of Law, College of Business and Biscayne College offer 46 undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degree programs. In 2020, STU launched our Limitless five-year strategic plan, based on the pillars of limitless Devotion, limitless Opportunities, and limitless Results. The plan was conceived to provide students with a magical collegiate experience which incorporates mentoring faculty, character formation activities outside the classroom, and required real-world experience before graduation.