KC and JC Set to Clash for Supremacy
As the curtain rises on the 2025 track and field season, the excitement is palpable. With the local junior athletes primed and ready to compete, all eyes are now firmly fixed on the upcoming ISSA GraceKennedy (GK) Boys’ and Girls’ Championships, commonly known as Champs. This year promises to deliver yet another thrilling chapter in the nation’s rich athletic history, with Kingston College (KC) and Jamaica College (JC) poised for a fierce battle.
Kingston College has long stood as a titan of Jamaican track and field, boasting the most Boys’ Champs titles in the competition’s history with 35 victories. Over the past three years, the team has been nearly unstoppable, securing a remarkable three-peat in a dominant purple surge that echoed through the National Stadium.
But this season, the status quo is under threat. Despite their continued success, the defending champions face an ever-determined rival in Jamaica College, whose resolve to dethrone the champions is stronger than ever.
In 2021, Jamaica College broke a 10-year championship drought by securing the Mortimer Geddes Trophy, marking their 22nd title. However, since that victory, they have finished as runners-up for three consecutive years, fuelling their determination to reclaim the top spot. To strengthen their bid to dethrone Kingston College, JC has made key changes to their strategy, beginning with the appointment of Dwayne Johnson as head coach. Having served as the assistant coach for middle and long-distance events at the school for the past decade, Johnson is now ready to introduce fresh tactics and lead his team to the next level.
“We’re managing our talent in a more holistic way this year. It’s not just about focusing on specific events, but rather deploying our athletes across a range of disciplines,” Johnson explained. “Last year, we won the most gold medals, but Champs isn’t about gold medals; it’s about points. And that’s what matters. We’re making sure we don’t repeat past mistakes, and we’re confident this new approach will deliver better results.”
With JC’s eyes firmly fixed on the top spot, their determination to dethrone KC will surely fuel the fire in the hearts of the athletes as they step onto the track.
Kingston College, with a proud legacy to protect, is on a mission to secure its 36th Boys’ Champs title, marking a century of excellence in 2025. The rivalry between KC and JC has never been more intense, and this year’s competition promises to be an epic showdown that will have fans on the edge of their seats until the final day. Both teams have their eyes on glory, and with the National Stadium set to come alive once again from March 25-29, all of Jamaica will be watching eagerly to see which school will be crowned the ISSA/GK Boys’ Champion for 2025.
The 2025 season has already kicked off with an exciting start, as Jamaica College hosted the first two major track meets of the year. The On Di Run/JC Sprint Fest on January 3 and the Purewater/JC/R. Danny Williams Meet on January 4 served as the perfect introduction to what promises to be a thrilling year.
The meets saw impressive performances from up-and-coming stars, including Shanoya Douglas and Johan-Ramaldo Smythe of Muschett High, Jamal Stephenson and Kahmani Gordon of Calabar, Natassia Burrell of Hydel, and Joseph Solomon of Jamaica College. These athletes, among many others, showcased their potential, setting the stage for what will be a fiercely competitive season leading up to Champs.
As the season progresses, the anticipation only builds. The question remains: Can Jamaica College rise to the challenge and dethrone Kingston College, or will KC extend its reign for a historic 36th title? One thing is certain: 2025 is set to be another unforgettable year in Jamaica’s track and field legacy.
