Usain Bolt is retired and many of the senior sprinters who have become household names are struggling to keep up globally; but if the new generation of sprinters are any indication, then Jamaica’s rich sprint heritage seems to be in very good hands.
Among the names you should know and watch, are Christopher Taylor, Tyreke Wilson and Dejour Russell. These three are already carrying the flag of Jamaica to higher heights, and from recent performances, seem amply qualified to take the baton and literally run with it.
Christopher Taylor
Calabar High School phenom, Taylor, fresh from his May 19th defeat of a field of senior athletes at the Jamaica International Invitational at the National Stadium in Kingston, claimed yet another victory in his illustrious junior career in Atlanta, this past weekend.
The 18-year-old won the 17-18 boys 200-m at the Atlanta Georgia Relays on Saturday May 26, 2018 in a time of 20.72. He is now preparing for the Jamaican junior trials coming up in late June in Kingston, and the World Under 20 Championships in Tampere, Finland this July.
“I’m satisfied because I just came out here to get the win and I did that,” Taylor, who set a personal best of 20.35 in March, commented after the win. “Coach asked me to come and get some races for a major meet coming up so that’s what I did.”
Tyreke Wilson
Also looking like another Bolt and Asafa Powell is the making is Wilson, who on Saturday took the men’s 100-m showcase at the Atlanta Georgia Relays in 10.52.
Wilson, who has been one of Calabar’s main stars at Champs in recent times, is taking off for Florida State University (FSU) this July.
“I chose FSU because the school is well-rounded academically and sports wise. I visited the school last November and made my decision since then, even though I’ve gotten a lot of other college offers,” Wilson recently told the Jamaica Observer.
Dejour Russell
Another teen to watch is Dejour Russell, 18, also of Calabar, who won the boys 17-18 110m hurdles in 13.75 at the at the Atlanta Georgia Relays as well.
All three Calabar teens were record breakers in sprint hurdles at Champs this year and at the 2018 Penn Relays, where they again won the High School Boys’ 4×100 Championship of America along with Rosean Young in a time of 39.51.
Indeed, they are looking strongly like the Next Generation Stars of Jamaica’s future.
