Stewart makes ‘hard decision’ to part ways with Camperdown

WHEN track and field preparation begins for the 2026-27 season, Camperdown High School will do so with a new head coach, as Okiele Stewart has thrown in the towel as the man in charge of both male and female programmes.

Stewart, who has directed affairs at the Eastern Kingston school for more than 10 years, met with other members of the coaching staff on Wednesday to make the announcement.

Stewart, who has produced the likes of intermediate hurdler Roshawn Clarke and sprinter Junior Harris, along with young Ja'on Lewis, stated in an interview with STAR Sports that his main reason for quitting was lack of resources.

"After spending so many years at the school in charge of the track and field programme, it was a hard decision to walk away, but with little or no resources to work with, it is very difficult, and this was something I have been toying with for some time," said Stewart.

"It is very hard to do so, as there is a lot of talent in the programme, but with no resources to work with, it was always going to be difficult," he stated.

Stewart thinks that under his direction the school has had some good results.

"I was able to do some good recruiting which bore fruit, and when you look on someone like Clarke, who has done well at Champs and is the national junior and senior record holder in the 400m hurdles, and there is also Junior Harris in the sprints, who has gone on to be a member of the Jamaica bobsled team.

"One of the most gratifying moments came in 2022 at the end of the Penn Relays when a team anchored by Clarke won the high school boys' Championship of America 4x100m relay," he shared.

Stewart, who is also the head coach of Swept Track Club and UWI Mona, thinks he will now be able to spend more time with both teams.

"I will be able to spend more time with the senior programme, but at the same time I am willing to help with resources for the juniors if I am called on, and I would like to start a junior programme at Swept," he concluded.