Team captain Stewart wants to put Edwin Allen on the right track

Edwin Allen High School’s team captain, Monique Stewart, is determined to have an outstanding year on the track in 2025.

Stewart is confident that she can lead her team to another title at next year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) and also perform well in her two individual events, the 800 metres and 1500 metres. She was third in the Class One 800m at this year’s championships and fourth in the 1500m.

Stewart showed her readiness at last Saturday’s Foga Road Over Distance Meet at Foga Road High in Denbigh, Clarendon, by securing two wins. She won the Class One 600m in 1:43.00 and the 1000m in 3:22.40.

Stewart previously shared the captaincy of the girls’ team with Toni-Ann Beckford, but now, she will have full responsibility and is determined to inspire her team to further success.

“I want to set the tone for my team by first winning both the 800m and 1500m at Champs next year. I want to lead from the front,” Stewart said while admitting that she felt a bit disappointed about not achieving her goals for the team at last year’s championships.

Stewart said that leading the very large squad at Edwin Allen has its challenges.

“I am very grateful to be chosen as the team captain even though it’s a big squad with over 80 members. It can be challenging, but there is support from the other girls and my coach, and this has made it easier,” she shared.

While reflecting on her recent victories, Stewart, now in her last year at Edwin Allen, expressed her confidence in the season ahead.

“Winning both events at the Foga Road meet shows that I’m on the right track, and I want to carry this momentum into the 2025 season. I’m confident we’ll retain our title because we’ve put in the hard work and will be ready despite the bad weather affecting our preparation,” she explained.

While Stewart participated in the Penn Relays and Carifta Games in 2024, her biggest disappointment came from missing the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, due to injury.

“I really wanted to make it to the World Under-20 Championships, but the injury kept me from even attending the trials. That’s life. On the positive side, it gave me more time to rest and prepare for the new season,” she said.

Stewart is also focused on achieving personal bests in her two events.

“Once I stay injury-free, I’m very confident I can win both events. I’m even more motivated to do so in personal best times because I want to leave a lasting impression at the championships,” she concluded.