Jamaica College’s track and field squad has emphatically opened their season with a commanding performance at the Purewater/R. Danny Williams/JC Meet, delivering a strong statement about their championship aspirations. Competing at Ashenheim Stadium in St. Andrew over the weekend, the Dark Blues showcased exceptional depth and talent across multiple events, signaling their determination to reclaim the boys’ athletics title in April.
Head coach Duane Johnson expressed considerable satisfaction with his team’s balanced and powerful showing, describing the performances as ‘fantastic all around.’ The team demonstrated remarkable improvement from last year’s third-place finish, with standout achievements including record-breaking throws and jumps. Michael-Andre Edwards emerged as a double winner in Class One long jump (7.20m) and triple jump (15.58m), while Joseph Salmon set a new discus record with a throw of 66.32m.
The squad’s enhanced coaching staff, now featuring former Calabar sprint specialist Corey Bennett and ex-world 400m champion Bertland Cameron from St. Jago High, appears to be making an immediate impact. The team displayed particular strength in middle distance events, with Samuel Creary winning the Class One 800m (1:52.56) and Rickardo Lee delivering an upset victory over Kingston College’s Julius Itubo in the Class Three 800m (2:02.94).
Additional event victories came from Nasir D’Aguilar (Class Two discus), Isaac Reid (pole vault), Tariq Creary (Class Three 400m), Kai Kelly (Class Two 100m), and Jaidi James (high jump). Despite the impressive start, Johnson maintains a measured perspective, noting that with two months remaining until the championship meet, the team will continue refining their performance to peak at the right moment.