As the final grains of sand settled in the triple jump pit at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, Jade-Ann Dawkins stood tall as she closed the page on her high school career in emphatic fashion.

Having completed a historic three-peat in the Girls’ Class One triple jump, the St Jago starlet reaffirmed her legacy as one of the finest horizontal jumpers to grace the prestigious event.

With high school glory now behind her, Dawkins is eager to write a new chapter, one that will see her don the royal purple of Kansas State University, where she aims to soar even further in both her academic and athletic pursuits.

Dawkins’ final Champs appearance saw her resilience and championship mettle on display as her performance in the triple jump was nothing short of spectacular. She overcame early struggles to produce a season’s best 13.11m (0.9 m/s) on her fourth attempt, and that gold-winning leap was backed up by two additional jumps of 13.10m and 13.08m, which she believes demonstrated the consistency and class that have defined her high school career.

"It’s an incredible feeling. Winning three consecutive titles in the triple jump is a major accomplishment, and I’m proud to have made history. Champs has been a huge part of my journey, so closing this chapter on such a high note is truly fulfilling,” Dawkins told SportsMax.TV.

"I wanted to leave everything out there, so I was focused on executing to the best of my ability, trusting my training, and most importantly, trusting God throughout the process. I was doing it not just for myself but also for my parents, coaches, and team, and I’m so grateful I was able to deliver when it mattered most,” she added.

Jade-Ann Dawkins in triple jump action at Champs. (Photo: Marlon Reid/Loop News).

While her triple jump dominance remained unquestioned, Dawkins ambitions of securing a horizontal jumps double were dashed in the long jump, where she endured a frustrating series and managed just 5.80m on her opening jump before struggling with her rhythm.

The event proved to be an uphill battle as four fouls followed her opening leap, and though she cut the sand at 5.78m on her final attempt, it was not enough to move up the podium, and she had to settle for bronze—a result that left her both frustrated and reflective. Rohanna Sudlow of St Catherine soared to gold with a 6.46m leap, while Chloe Palmer (6.26m) of St Elizabeth Technical took silver.

"It was definitely frustrating because I knew I was capable of better. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned, but I’m still grateful to come away with a medal. It’s all part of the learning experience, and I know this will make me stronger moving forward,” she noted.

Looking back at her time in high school, Dawkins pointed out that her confidence and ambition are qualities that served her well throughout, and she takes pride in everything she has accomplished.

"There were ups and downs, but overall I’m really pleased and grateful. I achieved a lot and grew both as an athlete and as a person. Winning my first double in 2023, securing three consecutive Champs triple jump titles, representing Jamaica, and overcoming injuries to finish strong are definitely among my biggest accomplishments,” Dawkins shared.

The 19-year-old is intent on using both the successes and setbacks as fuel to prepare for the next phase of her journey, as she believes the best pages of her career are yet to be written. If her determination is anything to go by, then Dawkins is well on her way to making an impact on the collegiate stage.

"The next step is heading to Kansas State University, where I’ll continue my academic and athletic journey. I’m excited to compete at the collegiate level, pursue my degree, and develop even further as an athlete. It’s a big move, but one I’m ready for,” she said.

"I know the transition won’t be easy, but I’m ready to put in the work. My goal is to push myself beyond my limits, learn from my coaches and teammates, and, as I always do, represent my school with pride,” Dawkins declared.

The soft-spoken athlete revealed that the decision to choose Kansas State was not made lightly. With multiple offers on the table, Dawkins took a strategic approach in selecting the program that best suited her aspirations.

"I received several offers, and after careful consideration, I chose Kansas State University. Their program aligns well with my goals, and I’m looking forward to being part of an environment that will push me to new levels. I want to be surrounded by a culture of excellence, and I believe Kansas State is the perfect place for me to grow. So I am excited about what is to come,” Dawkins stated.

Jade-Ann Dawkins representing St Jago at the Penn Relays.

While Dawkins is thrilled about the transition, she knows that the road ahead will demand even greater discipline, hard work, and sacrifice. As such, her immediate goal is to continue improving in both the triple and long jump, but she also has her sights set on bigger dreams.

"My main goal is to make a strong impact at the collegiate level, but I know in order to accomplish that, I will have to continue improving in my events. I also want to grow as a student-athlete and set myself up for success beyond college. Earning my degree is a top priority, as it will play a key role in my long-term aspirations,” Dawkins ended.