William Knibb undaunted by hurricane setback

In October of 2025 when Hurricane Melissa struck, the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) was the furthest thing from the minds of track and field coaches from parishes in western Jamaica.

One month, two months passed, and a grim picture began to be formed.

After lost lives and tremendous damage had been counted, the massive task of recovery began. Then, and only then, did the impact on Champs begin to come to mind.

William Knibb Memorial High School in Trelawny suffered immensely.

At the Central Hurdles, Field Events, and Relay Meet, several of the school’s athletes produced strong displays, painting a picture of resilience that ‘admirable’ may be too lewd a word to describe.

Jabari Matheson in the Boys’ Class I 400 metres clocked an impressive 47.40 seconds, Jamarie Laing in the Boys’ Class 3 100 metres hurdles clocked 13.88 seconds to win, while Rae’Jheon Riley clocked 14.19 to come away with the Boys’ Class 2 110-metre hurdles. And that was just among the boys.

Among the girls, Khartnie Eccleston clocked 57.13 to win the Class 3 400 metres, and Danielle Dixon, running in Class 2, ran 56.24 to earn another win for the school in the one-lap event

Third-year head coach of the track and field programme Rodrick Myles expressed pride in his athletes despite the early disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa.

“We have been planning for the past three years, and now these athletes are showing maturity. Melissa affected our preparation big time for nearly a month, but three weeks after the hurricane, we met with Principal Linvern Wright as we didn’t want our efforts over the years to go to waste, and we were encouraged to work with a smaller group,” said Myles.

“Most of our athletes are from deep, rural Trelawny and were affected badly. We had to find clothing for them, and the team was reduced to about one-third of its original number,” he shared.

“We got a house nearby for the older boys who we see as scholarship potentials, doing well at Champs and making national teams.”

Myles also gave credit to past students Usain Bolt and Marvin Anderson, who made significant financial contributions to the programme.

“Both Marvin and Usain contributed big time with resources for the team, including taking care of the house where the athletes are staying. They have been the main sponsors of the programme,” he said.

He also had high praise for his principal.

“When you have a principal who shows a lot of interest in the sport, it makes a big difference. We didn’t want to see what we planned for the past three years go up in smoke.”

Myles pointed out that attending development meets can be very costly, forcing the team to compete closer to home.

“Normally, we would have gone to the meet at Calabar, but we went to the Central Hurdles meet at GC Foster College for the first time to ensure the athletes got home early,” he said, noting that each athlete competed in only one event.

Despite the setback caused by the hurricane, Myles believes his group is ready to deliver this season.

“Some serious background work was done before the hurricane and it’s now paying dividends. Expectations are high for great performances this time around. They are highly motivated and they watch videos with Bolt regularly. Our guys have no fear and are ready to compete with anyone.”

Last year, Sanjay Seymour won the Class 1 200 metres for William Knibb, while Jabari Matheson was primed to go all the way in the Class 1 400 metres after winning his semi-final in 46.54 seconds but failed to start the final due to injury.

Myles, who previously enjoyed a successful stint at Rusea’s High, is now anticipating a strong showing from his team at Champs.

“We were ready to dominate Western Championships this year, but with the team reduced in numbers because of Melissa, we now have to put our focus on the Boys and Girls’ Championships. We expect some special performances as our three-year plan will definitely bear fruit.”