Pryce envisions another top-six finish for George’s

THOUGH MORE well known for their exploits in ISSA schoolboy football competitions, St George’s College have shown steady progress at the high school track and field showpiece, the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) over the past few years.

That progress has elevated the ambitions of experienced assistant coach Kevin Pryce, who is now aiming for a second top-six finish.

Last year, the North Street team achieved its best-ever finish at Champs, securing sixth place with 53 points – an improvement from their 13th-place finish and 19 points the previous year.

St George’s have had a strong season to date, led by Class 1 sprinter Tyreece Foreman, and Pryce is confident of an even better showing at Champs. “Head coach Gavin James and I, with our vast coaching experience, have teamed up with Garfield Gordon to implement a solid programme, and the athletes are buying into it,” said Pryce, who previously had coaching stints at his alma mater, Calabar High, as well as at Vere Technical.

When asked how difficult it is to recruit athletes, given that St George’s College is traditionally known for football rather than track and field, Pryce admitted, “It is difficult to recruit from outside since the school has a football reputation, but we recruit from within. There is a lot of talent already here, and after seeing some of our athletes excel, it motivates others to join the programme.”

Pryce highlighted a few key athletes he expects to perform well at Champs. “We anticipate strong performances from Nathan Bryan, who won three medals in Class 3 last year; Francisco Williams, a finalist in both hurdle events in Class 2 last year; Tyreece Foreman in the Class 1 sprints, who just won the under-20 200 metres at the Carifta Trials; and Jahzi Walters,” said Pryce.

Pryce remains optimistic about a top-six finish but emphasises that there is no pressure on the athletes.

“We finished eighth last year, and we’re looking to improve on that. I am a very confident person, and we teach our boys to be confident as well. However, we won’t be putting them under any pressure. We just want them to stay focused and execute well.”