Camperdown focused on rebuilding

Okeile Stewart, head coach of Camperdown High School, said he is focused on rebuilding its once-formidable track and field legacy as the institution looks ahead to this year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

Camperdown, widely regarded as a “sprint factory” from as far back as the early 1970s with the outstanding Donald Quarrie and others like Raymond Stewart, Leroy Reid, Garfield Campbell and Remaldo Rose in subsequent years and among the females Revoli Campbell, Andrea Lloyd and twins Maxine and Marlene Dawkins, has struggled in recent years to replicate those lofty standards.

Stewart said that rebuilding the programme has come with its share of difficulties, but he noted that the school remains committed to restoring its competitive culture.

“To develop a programme here has a lot of challenges because, as you know, Camperdown has had tremendous success in the past, but over the years things have changed a bit and we are hoping to rebuild the culture,” Stewart said.

While he declined to outline specific obstacles, Stewart pointed out that several individuals have begun making meaningful progress, which he hopes will serve as the foundation for the programme’s resurgence.

“The challenges that we face are not something that I am going to discuss, but there are individual athletes making strides for themselves and we hope to use that to put ourselves back to where we would love to be,” he said.

Camperdown’s boys’ and girls’ teams managed just two points each at last year’s championships, underscoring the scale of the rebuilding task.

However, Stewart outlined that he is optimistic that this season’s squad can deliver a stronger showing, even as final team numbers are still being determined.

“We are still waiting to see what the rankings will be before our numbers are determined, but we are hoping for an accomplished team that will deliver a strong showing for Camperdown,” he said.

Among the athletes expected to lead the charge is Deequan Maragh, who will contest the Class One 100m and 200m. In Class Two, Malique Thompson is set to compete in the 400m and 400m hurdles alongside Sanjay James. Stewart also highlighted the return of Kacian Johnson from injury, noting that she has responded well in training, as well as contributions expected from Morrisa Heslop and several Class Three and field-event competitors.

“We are hoping these athletes will produce the results that we are looking for, but we will continue to focus on development,” Stewart added.

The veteran coach also shared that his staff remains committed to fostering a culture built on performance, discipline, and steady growth rather than instant success.

“One of the things we look at is that we compete in the event so we aim to do our best on the day. We hope that effort will garner points and present Camperdown in a positive way, the way we would like the school to be seen,” Stewart said.