Hoilett represented Jamaica in the 440 yards (400m) at various championships, with the 1964 Olympics being the pinnacle of his career.
"Rupert was known as a hard worker with talent to boot. He was good enough to make the Olympic team even as a Kingston College schoolboy coming out of Boys Championships," said Garth Gayle. "We owe our current successes to athletes like Hoilett who toiled hard for success and lifted the name of Jamaica even when there was not much to gain from the sport. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Condolences to his family and friends," concluded Gayle.
Hoilett came to public attention at the Boys Championships when he won the the 440 yards race in 49.3 seconds, which at the time was the first sub-50-second clocking in the history of the event.
He would later book a place on the Jamaica team to Tokyo Olympics with an improved 49.1 seconds and was given the honour of carrying the nation's flag during the opening ceremonies.
In 2019, Hoilett’s property on Skibo Avenue in Kingston was damaged by fire.
Kingston College now have five wins from as many games as action continued in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup on Wednesday.
KC, who initially opened their season with an 0-4 defeat to Hydel before that result was overturned to a 3-0 win after it was deemed that their opponents used an ineligible player, defeated Charlie Smith 1-0 to move to 15 points from their five outings, six points ahead of Calabar in second and nine ahead of Hydel in third. Charlie Smith also have six points in fourth.
Elsewhere in Group B, defending champions Jamaica College secured a 2-1 win over Kingston Technical to move to the top of the group with nine points from four games, two points ahead of Tivoli in second and three ahead of Kingston Technical in third.
Group C action saw Haile Selassie continue their winning ways, moving to 15 points from five games with a 1-0 win over Eltham. The other game in the group saw Dunoon Technical defeat Denham Town 3-2 for their first win of the season.
In Group E, Mona High hammered Edith Dalton 6-0 to move to five wins out of five.
Hydel High, Kingston College and Calabar High are all equal on nine points after action in Group A of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup on Saturday.
Hydel defeated former champions Charlie Smith 1-0 to secure their third win in as many games. They are currently leading the group on goal difference having scored 15 goals and not conceded any.
Kingston College, who opened their campaign with a 0-4 loss to Hydel, hammered Penwood 14-0 to get their third win in a row in second while Calabar handed Camperdown their third consecutive defeat with a 5-2 score-line.
Elsewhere, Mona High got their fourth win in as many games in Group E with a 2-1 win over St. Catherine High.
The David “Wagga” Hunt Scholarship Foundation is set to disburse J$3.6 M to 24 scholarship recipients of Calabar High School & Kingston College for the 2023-2024 School Year.
They will have 24 students (12 from each school). The recipients will be announced during as Awards Ceremony on Sunday at the Social Club Auditorium in New Kingston.
The David “Wagga” Hunt Scholarship Foundation was established in 2009 to honour the legacy of football coach and sport administrator extraordinaire, David “Wagga” Hunt, an alumnus of Kingston College and revered football coach of Calabar High and Meadhaven United Football Club.
On Hunt’s untimely passing in 2007 his family and a group of friends established the Foundation to assist needy students at both schools with scholarships.
Each year, the foundation awards scholarships valued at J$100,000.00, beginning at grade 8 (two per school) and continuing through to grade 13, for a total of J$600,000.00.
Beginning, 2023-2024 school year the annual disbursement per recipient will be increased from J$100,000 to J$150,000. The disbursement covers books, lunch, and other related expenses.
Selection is based on financial need, academic performance, participation in extra-curricular activity, deportment, and discipline.
These criteria must be maintained throughout the life of the scholarship. The Foundation has awarded to date 50 scholarships valued at J$22.6 million.
Former champions Kingston College and Calabar continued their upward trend in Group A of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup, as both registered 2-0 and 3-0 victories over Camperdown and Charlie Smith respectively at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Wednesday.
Both Kingston College and Calabar, who lost their opening contests, have rebounded nicely with these being their second win on the trot in a competitive group that is expected to go down to the wire for the top two positions.
In the opening contest, Alex Hislop (fourth) and Kelvin Brown (65th) got the job done for Kingston College over Camperdown, while Javel Watson (20th), Fitzroy McLeod (79th) and Kimani Thompson (90+2), were on target for Calabar in the feature encounter.
With the win, both Calabar and Kingston College moved to six points, along with leader Hydel, who hammered Penwood 10-0 in their fixture. Charlie Smith remains in fourth on three points, with Camperdown and Penwood yet to put a point on the board.
After Hislop fired Kingston College in front, the tempo of the young North Street-based team dropped significantly but picked up when the game resumed from a short break due to severe weather conditions.
Kingston College should have added a second from the penalty spot, but Dejuan Green tried to be too fancy and hit the 12-yard kick wide, as the score remained 1-0 at the break.
The purples continued their dominant show on the resumption and though Camperdown tried to play their game, the failed to really trouble Dominic Robinson in goal for Kingston College.
Vassell Reynolds’s side eventually added to their tally when Brown waltzed his way around three defenders before finishing a right-footer with aplomb to seal the win.
Though not impressed, Reynolds welcomed the improved second half display and, by extension, the win.
“I think we rose to the occasion; it is still a work in progress, but the youngsters are learning very quickly. I am pretty satisfied with how they recovered from the first half. I thought the break helped us really, we were giving away possession of the ball and we lacked the composure in the first half, but they came out and equipped themselves in the second half,” Reynolds said in his post-game assessment.
His counterpart Lebert Halliman cited indiscipline for his team’s defeat, their second of the season. They also have against Hydel in which they are down 0-5 to be completed.
“Indiscipline is why I took off my captain because he wasn’t playing his role. But overall, I think the team did well, it’s a young team and a long season, so it’s a learning process for them,” Halliman said.
The feature contest was much more eventful, as both Charlie Smith and Calabar were evenly matched for the most parts.
Both displayed individual flair and some colorful plays in patches, but it was Calabar that proved the most clinical in the end.
The Andrew Price-conditioned Calabar opened the scoring in the 20th minute when an unmarked Watson, easily headed home at close range from a Jaheim Rankine cross.
They almost doubled the lead 12 minutes later, as Sheridan Wilson’s stinging right-footed shot from a distance had Deonte Gary, in goal for Charlie Smith beaten, but the effort came back off the crossbar.
With no changes to the scoreline at the break, Charlie Smith showed more purpose on the resumption in their hunt for the equalizer. However, they not only found themselves with a numerical disadvantage when they lost Gary to straight red in the 61st minute for stomping on an opponent, but they also found themselves with a two-goal deficit to make up.
This, as Anthony McDonald’s weighted free kick found McLeod, who made no mistakes.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, Thompson rubbed salt on an already wounded Charlie Smith with an easy close range finish in time added.
Wednesday’s results
Zone A
Kingston College 2, Camperdown 0
Charlie Smith 0, Calabar 3
Penwood 0, Hydel High 10
Zone B
Meadowbrook 3, Cumberland 2
Jamaica College 3, Spanish Town 0
Zone D
Excelsior 7, Cedar Grove 1
Bridgeport 2, Clan Carthy 1
Zone E
St Catherine 7, Edith Dalton James 0
Innswood 2, Holy Trinity 0
Mona 9, St Mary’s College 1
Kingston College moved to fourth place in Zone A after clipping Calabar 1-0 for their first win of the season in the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup.
Zone leaders Hydel were leading Camperdown 5-1 at halftime before the rest of the game was called off due to lightning. Charlie Smith, who are second in the Zone, also had their game against Penwood called off at halftime with a 3-0 lead.
In Zone D, STATHS got their second win in as many games with a 4-0 win over Clan Carthy.
In Zone F St. George’s College secured a 2-1 win over Campion College while Waterford beat Ardenne 3-0.
A Zone G clash between St. Jago and Wolmer’s Boys was also called off at halftime due to lightning with St. Jago leading 2-0.
Hydel High confirmed their status as serious title contenders for this season’s ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title with a stunning 4-0 win over 16-time winners Kingston College at Royal Lakes on Tuesday.
Elsewhere in Zone A, Calabar opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Penwood.
In Zone B, Kingston Technical secured a 3-1 win over Cumberland while Spanish Town and Meadowbrook played out a 2-2 draw at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.
STATHS were the second biggest winners on the day with a 6-0 drubbing of Bridgeport in Zone D action. Also in Zone D, Excelsior beat Clan Carthy 3-0 while Tarrant secured a 2-1 win over Cedar Grove.
Edith Dalton James were the day’s biggest winners with a 7-0 score line over St. Mary’s College while St. Catherine High beat Innswood 3-0 in Zone E action.
In Zone G, Wolmer’s Boys beat Donald Quarrie 6-1.
In a celebration of legacy and the beautiful game, the 13th edition of the David “Wagga” Hunt (DWH) Football Classic is set to ignite the Mona Bowl, UWI in St. Andrew, Jamaica, on Saturday, August 12, 2023. A thrilling triple-header will kick off at 2:00 p.m., promising a day of football fervor and camaraderie that transcends rivalries.
Amid the picturesque backdrop of the Mona Bowl, fans will witness a captivating display of football prowess, kicking off with a scintillating clash between Shortwood United FC, a 2023 KSAFA Major League Semi-Finalist, and JDF, the 2023 KSAFA Major League Winner. This encounter is anticipated to set the stage ablaze, setting the tone for an electrifying afternoon.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the stage will be set for the masters’ game, pitting Pelicans FC against the Kingston Commissioners. It's a clash that promises nostalgia and passion, as seasoned players bring their skills to the field.
However, the crescendo of the afternoon will resonate through the much-anticipated annual showdown for the DWH trophy. Kingston College (KC) and Calabar High School (C’bar) will lock horns in a Manning Cup clash that transcends mere competition. This timeless rivalry holds a special place in the hearts of fans, with the winner not only claiming victory but also embodying the spirit of unity and respect.
A significant highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Paulette C. Rhoden trophy to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Manning Cup game. The late Mrs. Rhoden, former patron of the event, left an indelible mark on the football community. This year, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, Past-President of KSAFA, assumes the role of patron, adding to the event's prestige.
Amidst the excitement, the classic will pay homage to the late Bancroft "Banky" Gordon, a true football luminary. As a former Excelsior High School Manning Cup player, his legacy transcended the field, with academic brilliance and a humanitarian spirit. His memory will be etched into the proceedings, with a plaque presented to Shortwood United FC, a team he graced with his exceptional talent.
The DWH Football Classic isn't just a day of thrilling football; it's a testament to the power of sport in shaping lives. Established in 2009 by the David "Wagga" Hunt Scholarship Foundation, the event is both commemorative and a fundraiser. It serves to honor the legacy of David "Wagga" Hunt, an alumnus of Kingston College, who revived Calabar High School's football program, guiding them to their first Manning Cup title in 28 years.
As the games unfold, the spirit of unity and camaraderie will flourish. The mantra "we can be rivals but not enemies," echoes the late David "Wagga" Hunt's philosophy, fostering a culture of friendly rivalry and respect. Beyond football, Hunt's legacy extends to various sporting disciplines, including track and field, where he pioneered the Champs Preview Magazine, chronicling the achievements of athletes at the ISSA High School Boys & Girls Championships.
The younger brother of David Hunt, Christopher Hunt, Co-Chair of the foundation, shared his pride in the Foundation's accomplishments. In an exciting development, the annual scholarship disbursement per recipient will increase from J$100,000 to J$150,000 in the upcoming school year, along with grants of J$500,000 to each school for a project of their choice.
The anticipation is palpable, as Jamaica-based Co-Chair Arnold "Dullo" McDonald expressed gratitude to faithful supporters over the years. Overcoming the challenges of the past three years, the event is set to shine brighter than ever. The afternoon promises to be an unforgettable blend of football, memories, and shared purpose, a fitting tribute to a great Jamaican and a meaningful cause.
Corporate donors like VM Group, Supreme Ventures Limited, Proven Wealth, and overseas sponsors like GraceKennedy Foods (USA), Steuart Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and Spencer Financial have rallied behind the foundation's mission.
The public is invited to partake in this afternoon of camaraderie, with a contribution of J$1,000 for adults and J$500 for students with ID.
Kingston College successfully defended their Championship of America High School Boys 4x400m title on day two of the 127th Penn Relays at the Franklin Field.
The team of Amal Glasgow, Marcinho Rose, Raheem Richards and Emmanuel Rwotomiya combined to run 3:15.62 to take the title ahead of New Jersey’s Seton Hall Prep (3:16.06) and Calabar (3:16.54).
KC also found themselves on the podium in the 4x800 where they finished second in 7:47.68, narrowly being beaten by New Jersey’s Chatham (7:47.66) while St. Elizabeth Technical were third in 7:49.45.
St. Elizabeth Technical, Kingston College, Wolmer’s Boys and Jamaica College were among the fastest qualifiers to the High School Boys Championship of America 4x100m final on Thursday’s day one of the 2023 Penn Relays at the Franklin Field.
STETHS with 41.32 were joint fastest qualifiers alongside Florida’s IMG Academy. Kingston College was next fastest with a 41.72 clocking to win their heat. Wolmer’s Boys (41.79) and Jamaica College (41.85) also advanced as heat winners. Camperdown (42.03) and St. Jago (42.03) will also be in the Championship of America final scheduled for Friday.
The High School Boys International final, also scheduled for Friday, will feature seven Jamaican schools as well as one each from the Bahamas and Trinidad & Tobago.
St. George’s College, Calabar, Excelsior, Herbert Morrison, St. Catherine High, Edwin Allen and William Knibb all advanced as well as Queen’s Royal College from Port-of-Spain and St. Augustine’s from Nassau.
In the 4x800m, Kingston College and STETHS both advanced to the final set for Friday.
KC won their heat in 7:54.79 while STETHS recorded 7:55.96 to finish second in their heat behind Charlotte Catholic (7:54.44).
Defending champions Jamaica College originally ran 7:49.29 to comfortably win their heat but were subsequently disqualified after it was revealed that they used an ineligible runner.
In the field, Calabar’s Kobe Lawrence won the High School Boys shot put with 20.43m ahead of St. Rose’s Joshua Huisman (19.40m) and St. Jago’s Shaiquan Dunn (18.07m).
JC’s Raquil Broderick was third in the discus with 61.92m behind University Garden’s Nathan Villegas -Reyes (62.49m) and Southern Regional’s Fabian Gonzalez (61.94m).
St. Jago’s Demario Prince jumped out to 7.42m to win the long jump ahead of Archbishop John Carroll’s Camren Williams (7.32m) and KC’s Nathan Wade (7.22m).
Three men cleared 1.98m in the high jump with the KC pair of Isaiah Patrick and Aaron McKenzie finishing second and third, respectively, behind Bloomfield’s Ja’Mari Manson.
JC’s Gabriel Lim won the javelin with 61.24m ahead od Danville’s Bronson Krinak (60.31) and Riverside’s Joseph Reed (59.26).
15.17m was the winning mark in the triple jump by JC’s Trevon Hammer. Potomac’s Ty’heak Buie produced 14.88m for second while KC’s Javar Thomas was third with 14.81m.
Former Kingston College standout Jhevaughn Matherson is finally healthy and ready to make a return to form in 2023.
The 24-year-old, now training at the Racers Track Club in Kingston, burst onto the scene all the way back in 2013 when he sped to a smooth then-Class 3 100m record 10.85 to win gold at the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships at the National Stadium.
His high school career, despite including some bright spots, was plagued by injuries after that 2013.
In 2019, Matherson moved on to Florida State University (FSU) in the USA and had a decent first season where he reduced his 100m personal best to 10.24. The next three years, however, followed the same pattern as his high school career with several nagging injuries as well as an achilles injury that required surgery.
Now back home, Matherson says he is healthy and working on a comeback.
“Right now, I’m healthy and working hard on the return,” Matherson told SportsMax.TV.
“I expect big things so fans should expect big things as well. I’ve been working really hard so I’m just waiting on the right time to show that work,” he added.
As it relates to his history of injuries, Matherson says that is a thing of the past.
“Definitely!” said Matherson.
“The main issue was strength and I’m working on that. I had an achilles injury that required surgery and I’m completely over that as well,” he added.
Expected to compete in the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix on June 3rd, Matherson also gave his opinion on the state of the men’s 100m in Jamaica at the moment.
“It should be exciting. There is a lot of quality and I expect great things this season and beyond,” he said.
The sprinter, who will graduate from FSU next month, also expressed gratitude for his time abroad.
“Definitely thankful for the lessons learned along the way. I’ve learned a lot about track and field from being overseas and I’ve been able to implement it while making my return home,” he said.
Kingston College produced a dominant display to secure their 34th hold on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships held at the National Stadium in Kingston from March 28-April 1.
KC amassed an impressive 366 points, comfortably ahead of rivals Jamaica College (299 points) and Calabar High (207 points) in second and third.
On Monday, the school, celebrating their 98th year of existence, held a ceremony commemorate the historic achievement at their North Street home.
“Never bet against KC,” said Principal Dave Myrie at Monday’s celebration.
“When it comes to these championships, KC’s going to dig deep and we are going to fight. Our motto says ‘The Brave May Fall but Never Yield’ so we’re not going to yield to anybody. When we get out there on the field of play, we are going out there to win. If a better man beats us and wins, we’ll say well done but we are going to continue cheering and supporting our team, win, lose or draw,” he added.
“Elated,” was Head Coach Leaford Grant’s response when asked to describe his emotions after guiding the team to the title.
“Personally, I am elated. We are happy and couldn’t ask for anything else. It has been a challenging year for us but we managed to persevere and now we are champions again,” Grant said.
“We never set out to plan how many points we’re going to score. What we try to do every year is put together a team that we know can score over 300 points. At champs, you have mishaps and different mistakes but that’s something you have to plan around. This year, we made very few mistakes.” he added.
With all that said, the school also had their challenges in the months leading up to champs, as explained by Grant and Myrie.
“Some of the challenges were, like any other school, financial. We had some challenges with youngsters not coming to training as we expected but I think that goes on at every single school, not only KC. At the end of the day, we withstood those challenges,” said Grant.
“Some of our athletes have had challenges, whether it be injuries or stuff like that,” Myrie said.
“We had to be gingerly treating them as we go through. They couldn’t train as hard as they wanted but we had to nurse them through. We got vilified because we opted out of a few races at the Gibson Relays and we just shook our heads. You opt out to ensure that you can actually do what you need to do at Champs because, at the end of the day, Champs is where the points count,” Myrie added.
Distance runner Ainsley Campbell was one of the main contributors to KC’s 34th Boys champs crown, winning the Class 1 1500m as well as the 2000m steeplechase open.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that we got the job done and we didn’t waste an entire year of training,” Campbell said.
“I wasn’t expecting to participate in the 1500m until Carifta Trials but I can say it was a well-earned title. For the steeplechase, I was the favourite so I went out there and did what I had to do,” he added.
Myrie says plans are already in place for KC to continue their dominance in high school track & field for years to come.
“There is definitely a plan in place but, the same way we are planning, other schools are planning as well. I am not going to go out there and say to anybody that we have to win or are going to win, I’m saying we are going to put a team in place that can challenge,” he said.
“If by chance there is a better team out there that beats us then more power to them and I’d congratulate them and say well done but we’re focusing on KC. We don’t focus on too many things outside. We have already started the planning for the next three years down the road to make sure that, at the least, we’re putting out a competent team every year,” Myrie added.
Kingston College and Hydel High emerged as the respective Boys and Girls title as the 2023 ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships came to an end at the National Stadium in Kingston on Saturday.
For KC, it is a second consecutive title and their 34th overall while for Hydel, it is a first title breaking an incredibly dominant eight-year run for Edwin Allen.
KC finished with 366 points, comfortably ahead of runner-up Jamaica College (299 points) while the top five was rounded out by Calabar (207 points), St. Jago (118.5 points) and STETHS (116 points).
Hydel finished with 279 points to top the Girls standings by only two points ahead of former champions Edwin Allen while the rest of the top five was rounded out by Holmwood Technical (202 points), St. Jago High (178 points) and St. Catherine High (116 points).
Some of the standout performances on the final day included Calabar’s Shaquane Gordon complete the Class 2 100m-110m hurdles double by running 13.42 to claim gold ahead of KC’s Kahiem Carby (13.59) and Daniel Clarke (13.80).
St. Jago secured the top two places in the Class 1 final through Demario Prince (13.42) and Andre Harris (13.79) while JC’s Daniel Beckford ran 13.83 for third.
St. Jago also had success in the Class 3 100m hurdles as Marquies Page ran 13.38 for victory ahead of Vere Technical’s Shawn Palmer (13.40) and St. George’s College’s Jahzi Walters (13.62).
World Under-20 silver medallist Alexis James of Petersfield ran 13.39 for victory in the Girls Class 1 100m hurdles ahead of St. Catherine High’s Asharria Ulett (13.59) and Edwin Allen’s Tonie-Ann Forbes (13.61).
In Class 2, Hydel’s Jody-Ann Daley completed an unprecedented 400m, 100m hurdles double by running 13.70 for victory ahead of St. Jago’s Bryana Davidson (13.89) and Excelsior’s Shelley-Ann Taylor (13.92).
The Class 3 80m hurdles was won by Wolmer’s Girls’ Tiana Marshall in 11.29. St. Catherine’s Akeelah Ellis ran 11.48 for second while Edwin Allen’s Angel Robinson ran 11.52 for third.
Wolmer’s Girls also took top spot in the Class 4 70m hurdles through Jadea Harris who ran 11.05 to narrowly beat Immaculate’s Ayanna Blake (11.08) while Excelsior’s Cordelia Gabbidon ran 11.30 for third.
In the field, KC’s Daijon Budhai threw 47.40m for gold in the Class 2 Boys discus ahead of Denzel Phillips of JC (45.98m) and Clarendon College’s Jospeh Salmon (43.33m).
JC’s Jaidi James took gold in the Class 2 Boys high jump with a clearance of 1.95m. Jonathan Grant’s Michael Neil was second with 1.90m while Kabiki Thomas of Wolmer’s Boys was third with 1.90m.
Three men were clear of 2.05m in the Class 1 Boys high jump, with KC’s Aaron McKenzie coming out on top ahead of JC’s Chavez Penn and St. Mary High’s Ovane Williams.
Moving into the 4x100m relays, the Class 1 Boys event was won by overall champions Kingston College in 40.01 ahead of St. Jago (40.40) and Edwin Allen (40.59).
Calabar took the crown in Class 2 in 40.41 ahead of KC (40.58) and St. Elizabeth Technical (40.74) while St. Jago won in Class 3 in 43.11 ahead of Wolmer’s Boys (43.12) and KC (43.21).
Hydel ran 44.33 for victory in the Girls Class 1 Girls final ahead of Edwin Allen (44.77) and Holmwood Technical (45.71).
Class 2 also saw Hydel take the title in 45.01 ahead of St. Jago (45.95) and Holmwood Technical (46.43).
Wolmer’s Girls continued their excellent Class 3 showing at the championships by winning the final in 45.81 ahead of Excelsior (46.41) and Edwin Allen (46.72).
Mount Alvernia won an extremely exciting Class 4 final in 48.54 ahead of Holmwood Technical (48.59) and St. Jago (48.83).
In the final Girls event of the championships, Edwin Allen won in 3:31.78 ahead of Hydel (3:34.57) and Holmwood Technical (3:36.46). Hydel entered the race with a four-point lead over Edwin Allen knowing a medal would secure their maiden hold on the title.
Jamaica College ran 3:09.31 to win the Boys 4x400m ahead of Edwin Allen (3:10.09) and Kingston College (3:11.46).
It was a dream come true for Tarees Rhoden when he broke Jamaica’s national indoor record on his way to the Atlantic Coast Conference 800m title in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday.
A junior at Clemson, Rhoden, whose lifetime best prior to Saturday was 1:47. 89, clocked 1:46.61, a personal best and facilities record. The time also broke Alex Morgan’s record of 1:46.70 set in Indianapolis in 1996.
Two weeks prior, Navasky Anderson of Mississippi State ran 1:46.58 at the Music City Challenge in Nashville, Tennessee, which at the time, was deemed to be the new national indoor record.
However, the track at Vanderbilt University on which the time was achieved, is a 300m track which under World Athletics guidelines, meant that Anderson’s record would not be ratified.
The standard indoor track is 200m.
The development meant Morgan’s record would last a fortnight before Rhoden smashed it on Saturday along with the previous fastest time at that track – 1:50.06 – set by Michigan’s Cole Johnson earlier this year.
“I dreamt of days like this for years,” Rhoden remarked while speaking to Sportsmax.TV on Sunday.
He revealed that he and coach Mark Elliott had prepared for this kind of performance and he was just happy that he managed to pull it off.
“It definitely wasn’t a surprise based off my preparations,” said the former Kingston College middle-distance runner.
“I believe in my coach and his training to get me into shape to do great things.”
During the race Rhoden was always aware that his pace would have taken him to the record and was certain his goal would have been achieved after 600m. The way he put it, he had no choice.
“My coach kept shouting. I heard him every single lap,” Rhoden said.
Rhoden’s accomplishment comes under a year since Anderson ran 1:45.02 to shatter Seymour Newman’s national outdoor record of 1:45.30 that had stood since 1977.
He believes that he and Anderson are charting a path for Jamaica’s current middle-distance runners to follow.
“My friend Navasky did it outdoors so he set the standard for the rest of us to follow,” he said. “
We are just staying hungry and trying to put Jamaica on the 800m map.”
Notwithstanding the new personal mark on the weekend, Rhoden is far from finished. With the NCAA nationals coming up in a fortnight, the 22-year-old athlete has plans of going faster in the near future.
“1:45 indoors is the aim,” he said. “More to come.”
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that a delegation of 23 comprising eight students and two coaches each from Edwin Allen High School and Kingston College and three executive members from Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) will leave for Trinidad and Tobago on February 7, 2023, to participate in the Secondary School Relay Festival on February 9, 2023.
The participation of the Jamaican team at the Relay Festival follows a sports study tour by the Minister of Sport and Community Development for Trinidad and Tobago, the Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe, and a team of officials.
Minister Cudjoe and members of her delegation had met with Minister Grange, a technical team from the Ministry and its agencies, representatives from the Jamaica Athletics Administration Association (JAAA), ISSA, the University of Technology (Utech), GC Foster College of Sport and Physical Education, and the Ministry of Education and Youth. They also visited four high schools and a primary school.
Minister Grange said, “It is expected that this bilateral cooperation between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will bear much fruit for both our countries.”
The Jamaicans will be competing in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays at the festival. Barbados and Guyana are the other countries that have been invited to send teams to participate in the Relay Festival.
The exchange activities are also being celebrated as part of the 60th Anniversary of Independence of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
The delegation will return to Jamaica on Friday, February 10, 2023.
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