“This will be my last year”
JC captain Daniel Beckford hoping to enjoy final year at Champs
Published:Monday | February 17, 2025 | 9:40 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
In the twilight of his high school athletics career, Jamaica College (JC) track and field captain Daniel Beckford said his ambition for this season is to enjoy his final year at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) next month.
Speaking with The Gleaner at the JC Ashenheim Stadium recently, Beckford is hopeful of a positive season ahead that would end in him earning a scholarship to pursue a college education.
“Honestly, I want to have a good season going into Champs this year,” he said. “It will be my last year, and I’m just trying to enjoy it as best as I can, and by the end of the year, I am hoping to get into a college.”
Beckford entered the 2025 season with the pride of being the reigning Champs gold medallist in his event after winning the Boys’ Class One 110 metres hurdles final last year with a time of 13.45 seconds.
He edged out a tough field on the way to the top of the podium after holding off rivals Daniel Clarke of Kingston College (KC), 13.57 and Calabar High’s Shaquane Gordon, 13.58.
Beckford stated the win was an incredible feat as he had not entered the competition as one of the favourites to medal in the event.
“Last year’s win was a great feeling because going into Champs, I was not the favourite, so to go there, giving my best and coming out on top was great, especially with the nine points that my team needed to build up on our tally.”
With the pride of a defending champion, Beckford insists that he will be running his own race each time he steps on the track.
He stated that while he appreciates the support of those who believe he can successfully defend his 100m hurdles title, his focus will be on doing his best in each individual race.
“The aim is to just always focus on execution regardless of the expectations from the crowd. I am always focused on just the execution.”
Beckford has only competed once this year, marking his debut at the Purewater/R. Danny Williams/JC meet in January.
He finished second in a time of 13.97 behind Calabar’s Gordon, 13.85.
FIGHTING SPIRIT
As the team captain for JC this year, Beckford said he has seen a lot of fighting spirit from his teammates as they prepare to battle for the coveted Mortimer Geddes trophy.
Having finished second behind their rivals KC for the past three years, JC are ready to mount yet another challenge as they promise to compete across all boards.
“To be honest, this is a great team and it is a great feeling leading this team to Champs,” Beckford stated while adding that their fighting spirit from past years remained and the team is ready again.
“I would say that in every section, we have people that want the win at Champs, and that strengthens the team overall.”