Thetlon Detry was born the son of Sharon Kerr in Kingston, Jamaica. At the age of five his mother passed away and guardianship reverted to paternal grandmother, Dorothy Williams. Her dedication and sacrifice provided the foundation for Detry's future as they moved several times between Florida and New York before settling into the home of his great grandmother, Girlin Bramwell, in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Williams and Bramwell are credited for believing in him while leading the troubled youth through tough times.
Detry excelled in high school athletics competing in wrestling, football and track & field. Wrestling Coach Mike Neuberg became the father figure Detry never had and invested in the athlete on and off the mat. His wrestling career included four conference and district championships, three regional championships, and one state championship for a record of 139-21. As a three year varsity linebacker in football, he amassed 138 tackles as a junior and 146 tackles as a senior. On the track he helped the 4X800 relay team win a conference, district and regional title and a 6th place finish at the state championship.
University of the Cumberlands Head Wrestling Coach Jess Wilder watched Detry compete as a junior, offering encouragement after the match that Detry says he never forgot. Several schools recruited the three sport athlete but it was Wilder who prevailed. Detry committed to wrestling first and then to a track career at UC. Always dedicated to improvement, he was a four-time NAIA All-American at 174 pounds and earned 8th, 4th, and 2nd place finishes in the NAIA Nationals from 2001-2003. His hard work paid off as a senior while winning the NAIA National Championship in his weight class in 2004.
Track & Field Coaches Floyd Stroud and B.J. Temple continued to work with and develop Detry's success on the track. His determination was validated among his competition as a two-time NAIA Outdoor All-American and National Champion in the 4X800 Relay Teams (2001&2002). He was a 2005 NAIA National Qualifier in the 400 Meter Hurdles, where he hold the school record with a time of 53.93. He also helped to set a school record in the 4X800 Relay Team in 2001 with a time of 7:33.3.
Looking back, he credits coaches Wilder, Stroud and Temple for dedicating themselves to his personal success. Detry also acknowledges the influence and friendship of Kamila and Dook Combs, a family that treated him as their own in Florida and continued to support his collegiate career when they moved back to Kentucky.
Detry was graduated from the University of the Cumberlands with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Education Studies with a Special Education minor in 2005. He resides in Port Saint Lucie, Floridaa where he has been a clinical liaison for HCR Manorcare, a rehab facility for Fort Lauderdale, for the past three years.
