Jamaican track and field sensations Abigail Campbell and Daniel Blake are set to shine at the highly anticipated 2025 NY International Showcase, scheduled for January 24 and 25 at the cutting-edge Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, New York. Organized by Sanjay Ayre, a former Jamaican Olympian and World Championship relay gold medalist, the meet has become a premier stage for top high school athletes from the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean to showcase their talents.
Campbell, Jamaica’s reigning 400m high school champion and a World U20 silver and bronze medalist, will headline the girls’ 400m event. The Hydel High School star, competing indoors for the first time, is eager to make an impact.
“I think I’m ahead of where I was last year in training,” Campbell shared in an interview with meet founder Jamaican Olympian Sanjay Ayre. “This is an amazing opportunity to prepare mentally and physically for the big goals I’ve set for 2025. I want to defend my 400m title at the Jamaican High School Championships and break the 52-second barrier. Competing here will also help as I aim for the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing.”
Campbell hopes to establish a new Jamaican high school indoor 400m record at the event, further solidifying her reputation as one of the island’s brightest young stars. She will lead a formidable Hydel High contingent, ready to represent Jamaica on this international stage.
Joining Campbell is Daniel Blake, Excelsior High School’s standout 400m hurdler. Blake, the U20 national champion and NACAC 110m hurdles gold medalist, brings personal bests of 49.88 in the 400m hurdles and 13.35 in the 110m hurdles to the competition.
Blake has had a remarkable 2024 season, leading his Excelsior High team to Penn Relays gold in the 4x100m and silver in the 4x400m. He is expected to compete in hurdles and relay events, aiming to test himself against the best from North America.
The NY International Showcase, hosted on the newly resurfaced Mondo 720 X hydraulic track, promises electrifying performances and the potential for record-breaking runs. The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend as Campbell and Blake lead their respective schools into battle, embodying the pride and potential of Jamaican athletics. Their performances will no doubt continue to build on the island’s storied legacy in track and field.