Young Gibson carries Holy Trinity hopes
Published:Sunday | April 3, 2022 | 12:14 AMLivingston Scott - Gleaner Writer
IN 12-YEAR-OLD, Omarianho Gibson, Holy Trinity has their most promising prospect in 10 years of making a final at the annual ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletic Championships.
Gibson, who dreams of becoming the next Usain Bolt, qualified for the Class Three 400 metres and goes into the April 5-9 Championship with a best time of 57.00.
Although making the final would be a dream, getting a medal would be even greater for this young Allman Town resident.
“I am nervous but I know that I am going to do good. I would love to win a medal in the 400m and 200m, although I didn’t make the 200m.
“Coach told us the school has not won a medal or made a final in many years, so I would like to even make the final,” he said.
Gibson, who had never done track prior to joining the Holy Trinity track programme last term, only took up the sport on the encouragement of his mother. But now he believes the sky’s the limit.
“I was first involved in cadet and my mother asked me why I don’t try track and field. People told me my father was a runner, so I tried it.
FEELING GOOD
“This is my first time and I am doing good, so I feel very good. I can be the next Usain Bolt. So I am really hoping I can do something good,” he commented.
He added that, to achieve his ambition of making the final, he needs to shave some time off his 57.00 before the championship.
“This season, I ran 57.00 and came second. But, for Champs, my time needs to improve a lot, though,” he said.
Holy Trinity’s coach, Dwayne Dunn, said Gibson has shown tremendous improvement after only months as an athlete, and he expects nothing less than a semi-final appearance from the youngster.
“When he came, we had to do a lot of technical work on him. But he listens to instructions. Since he has joined us, his work ethic has been great. He works really hard and that is why he has been doing well.
“His performance has been very consistent. We can see where he is gradually improving every meet.
“At Champs, we are looking for him to make at least the semi-final and do well. If he does not medal this year, we are looking for him to at least make the final next year, and then we see where it goes from there,” he said, while noting that Gibson will have two more years as a Class Three athlete.