St Jago’s success measured by more than just Champs
Published:Friday | March 27, 2026 | 12:08 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
Being one of only two schools to have won both the boys’ and girls’ titles at the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, St Jago High holds a strong history in local high school track and field.
However, Louis Grant, an executive member of the New York chapter of the St Jago Alumnae Association, said the school’s success is measured by more than just their triumphs at Champs.
St Jago last won Champs in 1999 when they won their fourth-straight girls’ title, with their last boys’ title coming in 1993.
Since then, the school has remained as one of the top teams on a yearly basis, finishing fourth in both boys and girls standings last year.
Grant said in the school’s 282 years, they are proud of not just their sporting success but their academic excellence and their contributions to Jamaica’s rich history.
“St Jago is the third oldest school in the country. St Jago has produced very many athletes, and we’d like to think between Calabar High, Vere Technical, and St Jago, we probably have produced the most Olympians,” Grant said.
“So it’s an institution that prides itself in tremendous balance academically, and of course, sporting success, both male and female events,” he continued.
“It’s a school that is involved in just about everything on offer at some point or the other. We’re just very happy and proud for what we’ve been able to contribute over the years to the Jamaican industry, Jamaican athletics, Jamaican intellect, and the overall the Jamaican international flair.”
Grant said the school’s success is not only limited to athletics as they have produced world beaters in other sports as well and continues to nurture the next generation of leaders.
He pointed to Manchester City and Jamaican international Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, one of their more recent alumnus, and said that their influence can now be seen on a global stage.
“Arguably the most successful footballer in Jamaica’s history is Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, and she is from St Jago, so we’re very proud of her,” Grant said.
“Dr Ewart Brown, who was a head of state for Bermuda, is from St Jago, so the school continues to make its fair share of contributions to not only Jamaica and the wider Caribbean but the global, wider world.”
INTERNATIONAL IMPACT
Nowadays, St Jago’s international impact can be seen within their track and field programme as the school is home to Kenya’s rising talent, Ryan Achau.
Achau, the co-captain of St Jago’s track team, won the Boys’ Class One 1500m title and is the heavy favourite to defend his 5000m Open title.
Grant said Achau has been an excellent addition to the school and is one of their most beloved students.
“St Jago has almost always been an international school, for lack of a better term. and we were fortunate enough to have these kids who turned out to be fantastic athletes. There are actually a couple of other Kenyans who don’t do track in the school,” Grant explained.
“Ryan is an exemplary student, just ridiculously smart. He probably has about 9 or10 CXC subjects, and he is actually the co-captain of the boys’ team,” he continued.
“The school loves him, the wider Jamaican community seems to love him for the most part, and he interacts with other middle-distance athletes throughout the length and breadth of the country.”