When Duane Johnson was appointed head coach of Jamaica College’s track and field programme in 2024, he was not daunted by the task of leading the historic school, and dreamt of bringing the Mortimer Geddes Trophy back to Old Hope Road.
Now, just two years into his tenure, Johnson has fulfilled that dream, leading JC to their 23rd hold on the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls Athletics Championships (Champs) title, their second in six years, and his first as head coach.
Johnson is no stranger to success at JC, having been the school’s middle- and long-distance coach for the past decade, and was there for their 2021 triumph.
When he was appointed head coach in 2024 following the departure of Neil Harrison, he explained that it was his dream to lift the title as a head coach.
“I don’t feel pressured. The truth is that I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself, so the external pressure is easier for me to manage,” he told The Gleaner in February last year.
“The last few years, we have been the most successful middle-distance [school] in the country. I put a lot of pressure on myself to keep that high standard. There is no pressure coming from the outside, so I believe I can handle it.”
JC lifted the 2026 title, finishing with 345 points, to head off fierce rivals Kingston College (KC), 282, and Calabar High, 169.3.
Speaking yesterday at the school’s celebrations, Johnson said it was a “surreal” experience and a dream come true to lead JC to glory.
“It’s been surreal,” Johnson said. “Up to now, as I’m talking, I’m getting goosebumps.
“When I took this job, it’s always been my dream to bring back the trophy home here at JC and I’m happy that in only my second year as head coach, I would have figured it out.”
He continued, “We did the job, and here we are this morning celebrating with the wider school community. I’m so happy to see the expressions of the youngsters here at JC, and the teachers and the staff.”
Johnson said the reason behind the team’s success is the trust and belief the athletes have in the coaching staff, and in him as their head coach.
He explained that this trust allowed the athletes to make the sacrifices needed to win and buy into the plans the coaching staff put in the place.
“I’m happy that they believe so much in me that everything that I said to them, they just eat it up, and they just try their best to work with me,” Johnson said of his charges.
“I know it was hard for some of them, even some of the sacrifices that they made, having to give up their phones and just buying into everything that we’re trying to do; and so I’m happy that they they actually stuck to the plan and everything worked.”
Johnson said now, as the reigning champions, they will be prepared to fight tooth and nail to defend their crown.
“Those preparations [for next year] started from last week, to be honest. We know that once we have the title, we are going to be the main target now, just like we targeted the defending champions.”
