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Muschett High School making waves with limited resources
January 07, 2025
Head coach of Muschett High School's track and field programme Garth Smythe said his athletes have been making due with limited resources as they begin their early preparations for the 2025 season.
Speaking at the recent On Di Run/Jamaica College Sprint Fest 200 last week, Smythe explained that the Trelawny-based school's recent successes at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships have come in spite of their financial situation.
Muschett High celebrated their first-ever Champs medals last year when Johan-Ramaldo Smythe and Shanoya Douglas won back-to-back gold medals in the Class Two boys' and girls 200m finals, respectively.
Douglas went on to complete the double, claiming the Class Two girls 400m title.
The school also took home a bronze medal as Osmond Holt tallied 5,450 points in the boys' decathlon.
"We've done really well when you consider that we still need the support," Smythe expressed.
"Financial support, emotional support and spiritual support; these kids need it. More so, it is the financial support that has been holding things back or putting a damper on things."
Smythe said their preparations have been going well as they opened their 2025 season with some good performances last week.
"We are exactly where we want to be and where I expect them to be. I saw what I wanted to see so it's just to go back now and then start fixing things. We'll be good," he said.
Having led the school to their first ever medals at Champs, Smythe is aware expectations are high as the school community will be hoping they can repeat their success this year.
However, he insisted that he is under no pressure and welcomed the support of corporate Jamaica to partner with the team to boost their chances of achieving their goals.
"I don't see this as pressure. I have been doing this a long time so I don't see this as pressure. What I encourage is that if people think that we're under pressure, then they're welcome to come on board to help us out and relieve this so-called pressure," he reasoned.
MAKING WAVES
The veteran coach also stated that he holds high expectations for his team this year, particularly his girls Class Four contingent.
While he was coy with announcing any medal expectations, he is confident they will make waves in the lead-up to Champs.
"This set of Class Four girls, I'm not saying they are going to win gold or whatever, but I promise you that they are going to make some noise," he signalled.
