‘It was fitting’
KC principal happy for coincidence of 100th anniversary, 36th Champs title, coach’s last hurrah
Published:Tuesday | April 1, 2025 | 12:11 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
KINGSTON COLLEGE’S (KC) principal Dave Myrie said this year’s hold on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy was perhaps the most important in the school’s history, even as he promises more successes for the years to come.
KC won their fourth straight title at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships on Saturday, amassing 293 points to turn back challengers Calabar, 229.25, and Jamaica College (JC), 209.
As the school celebrated their 36th title yesterday morning, Myrie said this victory was especially important as they are also celebrating their 100th year anniversary.
“I would say this championships may be more important than any of the others we would have won, and its important because this year is our 100th anniversary,” Myrie told The Gleaner.
“It would have been a big disappointment if we would have lost Champs this year. There are a lot of competitions that go on that we’re in. However, Champs, I would say, is the single largest competition that we’re in and carries a level of prestige with it. It was fitting for us to win this competition in this our 100th year of existence.”
Myrie said with another Champs win under their belt, the aim will be for the school to remain competitive in the future.
He explained their system in preparing for Champs has brought years of success, which gives him confidence they can continue to do so.
“It is very important for the school to continue because we don’t believe in one-shot wonders,” said Myrie.
“We’re going to continue doing what we need to do, to make sure that we continue our legacy. There are people who love to say that ‘KC only cares about winning’. but here is the thing, do you think we’re going into a competition just to lose?”
He continued, “If you’re going into a competition just to lose, you might as well not enter. When we go in, we expect to win; and if there is a better school than us there, kudos to the,m and well done; but we want to at least continue to be competitive.”
However, KC’s future in track and field will be without their long-serving coach Leaford Grant at the helm.
Grant had announced he would be stepping down from his role as head coach for personal reasons.
Myrie explained the win was also significant, as it represented Grant’s last hurrah with the school, a period in which he won five out of six titles.
“This win was a big one for coach Leaford. He had been with our programme for many years, Yes, I appointed him as head coach about six or seven years ago, but he had been in the programme for a very long time,” he said.
Grant, also celebrating the win with his team yesterday, said while he will miss leading the charge for KC, he believes it is the right time to leave the programme.
“It is indeed a good feeling,” he said. “I wouldn’t regard it as a pleasure, because no one wants to leave KC once you’re here. But I thought that the time has come for me to take some time off.
“It’s not a pleasure, but at this moment I’m enjoying the feeling, knowing that we’ve won our centenary Champs.”
Myrie, however, stated that while Grant will no longer lead from the front, his influence on the programme will still remain, as he expects the veteran coach will continue to contribute in small areas.
“There are some personal issues that he will need to deal with and he has decided to step back in order to do that. He will continue to be part of the programme and we have already discussed that. Maybe not in the day-to-day grunge and grime like he has been doing now.”
He added, “Once you’re a KC old boy, you’ve sold out to KC, and it’s very difficult for you to walk away.”