In the last few years, Vincentian athletes have found a new avenue for furthering their athletic and academic development. This avenue has led them to the Mecca of Caribbean track and field, Jamaica.  The benefits of going to Jamaica have been clear as day, as performance levels have been heightened, to the extent that national records have been broken.

Leading the record breaking charge is been Handal Roban, who finished his 2 stint at Jamaica College this year. He set new records in the U20 1500 and 800m. Also, his 800m record, which was broken several times over the season, was enough to be recorded as a Senior best mark. Uroy Ryan, who is into his final year at JC, set a new U20 Long Jump record, and Verrol Sam at Kingston College set a new U20 High Jump record. Also, the quartet of Akani Slater, O. J. Jackson, Javon Rawlins and McKish Compton, who all attend the G. C. Foster College, set a new men’s 4x100m record.

Since the start of September, a new cohort of  Vincentian athletes has made the sojourn to Jamaica on 2 year scholarships. Joining Sam at Kingston College, are 400m runner Amal Glasgow of the St. Vincent Grammar School and Xcel Track Club, and Long & Triple Jumper, Ronaldo Andrews, also of XCEL and SVGS.

At Jamaica College, Ryan will be joined by middle distance runners, Nellie Ambriton (Grammar School & Xcel), Kriston Wyllie (Central Leeward Sec & High Performance) and Maverick Browne (Troumaca Sec & Roses Academy).

Three females have also left home shores for abroad. Aaliyah Frederick of the Girl’s High School and IT DAT Academy, is off to The Wolmer’s Trust School for Girls, the Alma Mata of World 100m Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and 400m Annicea Richards of the Intermediate High and IT DAT is going to the G. C. Foster College. The final track export is former Thomas Saunders Secondary and Xceed Sports Club sprints and jumps stand out, Zamesha Myle, who is now attending Central Arizona Junior College, in the United States.