The perfect finish! - Foreman’s coach elated after travelling to Cow Bay to prepare the jumper for her last Champs

She may not have claimed the record she was aiming for, but St Jago High School's Class One Girls high jumper Shantae Foreman was beaming with joy after she won her pet event on day one of the 2021 ISSA/GraceKenedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships yesterday.

Foreman told STAR Sports that the victory was both fulfilling and rewarding because of the topsy-turvy athletics season due to the COVID 19 pandemic, as it required much persistence and guidance from her coach, Gavin James.

Foreman, who represented Excelsior High School at Champs 2019, soared to 1.84m to claim gold on her first attempt. Daniella Anglin of Herbert Morrison came second with 1.78m, and Edwin Allen's Ackelia Smith finished third with 1.70m.

The complications of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in James having to go the extra mile, travelling constantly to Foreman's home parish of St Thomas and her community of Cow Bay, using any means necessary to ensure that she achieved success in her final year of Champs.

"I had to drive to Yallahs to coach her. So we were on the sand at Cow's Bay, running on the sand, running in the hills. So we really didn't have any track to really run on. So it was just road, sand, until I started carrying her to St Jago and back to town so that she can take her bus home," James said.

MONUMENTAL EFFORT

Foreman has been under James' tutelage from the start of her high-school journey, winning in all four classes. With the stresses that the COVID-19 placed on the junior track season, James said it took a monumental effort to get her motivated throughout the season.

"I wanted her to win, to just go away knowing that, yes, I have accomplished four wins in all my classes." James said. "So I would have to pressure her sometimes. Trust me, I think I twice told her, 'Guess what, I stop coaching.' Every time when I told her there was a track meet coming she said, 'Coach, I have to see it first.' So that's what I had to be dealing with, counselling plus coaching."

Foreman is beginning to reap the rewards of a challenging year and dedicated her victory to her parish, where the long road started.

"It is very satisfying, I leaving with a personal best. I can't complain. I didn't come last. I made my coach proud; my supporters, everybody proud," Foreman said.