Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

Gold medal winner Melaine Walker. - Photos by Charles Pitt

What do Melaine Walker, Kerron Stewart, Delloreen Ennis-London and Kenia Sinclair have in common?

Apart from their outstanding performances as part of Jamaica's stellar track and field squad at the 29th Olympiad, all four athletes, along with several others, were once students at St Jago High School in St Catherine.

Almost 10 of the 51 athletes, who represented Jamaica in Beijing, China, at the 2008 Games first got their start blazing down the track of the National Stadium in the green and gold gear of the Monk Street school.

These include 200m sprinter Marvin Anderson, hurdler Andrea Bliss, steeplechaser Korine Hinds, 400m runner Markino Buckley and javelin thrower Olivia McKoy.

Long-standing tradition

This, however, may not come as much of a surprise to many well-thinking Jamaicans as, over the years, St Jago has had a long-standing tradition of producing some of the nation's most outstanding Olympians, such as Bert Cameron, Michelle Freeman and Juliet Campbell.

Retired principal, Keith Noel, who served at the institution from 1992 to 2008, said he was "ecstatic" about the achievements of the Jamaican athletes in Beijing but also quite happy to see that St Jago was well represented among the squad.

"We are very happy to see that from them we got one gold medal, a silver, a bronze, a representative on the 4x100m relay team and several finalists," said the proud former principal.

Noel told The Gleaner that St Jago's success over the years can be attributed not only to its outstanding sport and academic programmes but also to its tradition of instilling the virtues of hard work and determination in its students.

"The school's motto, Labor Omnia Vincit (Latin for 'work conquers all') speaks volumes in this respect, said Raymond 'KC' Graham, a former coach of the girls' track and field team at St Jago.

'Champion' courage

He said this 'champion' courage was recognised quite early in individuals such as Walker and Stewart, with Walker even performing one year at the Girls' Championships with her arm in a sling.

That year, Walker broke her shoulder after a mishap during a high jump competition at the school's pre-sports day activities.

However, despite being advised by doctors to stay off the track for the remainder of the school year, the Maxfield Avenue resident was determined she would compete.

Not only did she compete at 'Champs', but she also blew away her competition in her three individual events - the 100 and 200m sprints, beating triple Olympic gold medallist and then Vere Technical student, Veronica Campbell, in the process. Walker also won the 400m race.

"That just goes to show that she's a girl who will compete under any circumstance," said Graham.

Walker last week secured Jamaica's second gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the Olympics, also breaking compatriot Deon Hemmings' 12-year-old Olympic record.

"I wasn't surprised," Graham told The Gleaner. "This was a long time coming, I knew she was always special, I'm just surprised it took so long to happen."

Created history

Noel agreed, also adding that he knew Stewart, too,would have become a world-class athlete.

"In school, Kerron was always quiet, but a very strong leader," Noel said.

She also created history for Jamaica in the women's 100m sprint at the Olympics when Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson and herself became the first trio from any one country to sweep the medals for that event in a 1-2-2 fashion.

The men said they also saw great promise in Sinclair.

"I am so, so proud of Kenia," said Noel. "Kenia came to St Jago as the twin sister of Kezia, who was the big runner. Kenia was just the one who tried hard and, by the end of her school career, she was the one who was the star," he said.

Noel said he felt much pride to see that she was able to secure a place in the Olympic finals of the 800m race, a feat never before achieved by a Jamaican.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com.

Left: Kerron Stewart, 200-metre bronze medallist. Right: Kenia Sinclair, 800m finalist in Beijing, China. - AP