Alana Reid Joins Hurdle Mechanics
Jamaica’s World Under-20 women’s 100m champion, Alana Reid, has officially made the decision to switch training camps, moving from Star Athletics to Hurdle Mechanics.
The former Hydel High standout, who made history in 2023 by becoming the first female athlete to run the 100m in under 11 seconds at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, will now be guided by Lawrence “Boogie” Johnson, brother of Arkansas women’s head coach Chris Johnson, as she takes the next step in her professional career.
Reid, who claimed two gold medals at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, last August—including the 100m title—previously trained at the Florida-based Star Athletics camp under coach Dennis Mitchell. There, she worked alongside American World Champion Sha’Carri Richardson and fellow American sprinter Twanisha Terry. In her year under Mitchell’s guidance, Reid secured gold medals in both the 100m and 4x100m relay at the World Under-20 Championships, running a season’s best time of 11.06 seconds. Additionally, she competed in the 4x100m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the Jamaican team finished fifth overall.
Despite this success, Reid has made it clear that she will now be joining Hurdle Mechanics, based at the University of Arkansas. At Hurdle Mechanics, she will be surrounded by an experienced and talented group of athletes, including Paris Olympics medalists Alexis Holmes, Amber Anning, Anna Cockrell, and fellow Jamaican stars Ackera Nugent and Nickisha Pryce.
While many may question the switch and the responsibility of coaching such a stellar list of athletes, Johnson’s accolades speak for themselves. Named USTFCCCA Indoor and Outdoor National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2024, and USATF National Coach of the Year in both 2013 and 2019, it’s safe to say Reid is in good hands.
Alana Reid has always charted her career based on what she feels is best, often against conventional wisdom. Deciding to forego further years at the high school level, she signed with Auctus Global Sports, signalling her intention to go pro after a phenomenal 2023 season. While her time at Star Athletics was undeniably successful, the track and field community should respect her decision and trust that her management team knows what’s best to ensure her talent is nurtured in the right environment.
Reid’s decision to join Hurdle Mechanics marks a critical juncture in her career, as she transitions from dominating the youth ranks to pursuing success at the senior international level. This move could very well mark the start of a new, exciting phase in what has already been an impressive career for the rising Jamaican star.