Krystal Sloley learning in the shadow of giants
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Sprinter Krystal Sloley credits her steady improvement to the work done at the MVP track club, where she is able to train alongside some of Jamaica’s best athletes.
Sloley finished sixth in the women’s 200m final at the recently concluded National Senior Championship when she ran a massive personal best of 23.15 seconds.
It was the second time in two days that Sloley had lowered her personal best, as she entered the championship with a previous mark of 23.82, which she set in 2019.
She had lowered her personal best to 23.78 in the semi-finals, before a massive improvement to 23.15 in the final.
While she finished outside the podium places, Sloley said the championship was a success after her improvements in the half-lap event.
“It's a wonderful feeling, really and truly, because I wasn't really expecting much from these trials,” Sloley said after her race.
“To get this far and to not be running so many races within the season, and to come out here and having PBs after PBs, I'm excited to get myself in to race fitness,” she continued.
“I feel like that's what this trial is for me. To get myself race-ready for whatever race is there to come, and I'm happy that I came out with that.”
Sloley has seen consistent improvements in her times since her transition to the senior ranks.
She won her first international race as a senior in 2023, placing first at the women’s 100m at the Meeting Sport e Solidarieta Lignano track meet in Italy.
She then lowered her personal best in the 100m to 10.99 a year later, her first sub-11 time.
In 2025, Sloley won her first international medal as a member of the Jamaican 4x100m mixed relay team that claimed the silver medal at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China.
Sloley said much of her success on the track is due to the competitive but supportive environment at the MVP track club, where she is able to train alongside world-class athletes.
One such athlete is the two-time 200m world champion and reigning national 100m champion Shericka Jackson.
She said Jackson has been extremely supportive of her career which is guided by a proven coaching staff at MVP.
“I’ve had a massive change in mindset with the help of my teammates, namely, Shericka Jackson. She has really been pushing me, especially this season,” she continued.
“Everyone says it takes a village, and I really and truly believe in that saying, so I can't really credit it to myself, but definitely to the coaches; and obviously, I have to thank God.”
A NAME TO LOOK OUT FOR
Sloley said one of the main aims for her career is to become a consistent name in Jamaica’s track and field community.
Having spent time around the elites of the sport, she hopes to remain there and draw inspiration from the career of Jamaican sprint icon Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
“As everyone says, it's an off year; but it's never off for me because I'm working towards something,” Sloley declared.
“I want to work towards being on top consistently. I think that's my biggest aim. I think I can take that away from Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.”
“I really admire how she's always been on the podium, she's always been on top and in the league and a name to look out for, and I really want to work towards that.”