Tragedy, disaster stall Champs preparations at Edwin Allen

The Michael Dyke-coached Edwin Allen High girls are eager to reclaim their ISSA Girls’ Championships title after a surprise loss to Hydel High earlier this year but the school has had a rocky start to its preparations for the 2025-26 season.

The 10-time champions, who began training in early September, have already suffered several setbacks. They’ve lost more than six weeks of preseason preparation – a blow that could seriously affect their chances of regaining the Mortimer Geddes trophy.

Their troubles began on September 12, when tragedy struck during a training session. Promising athlete Taneisha Gayle collapsed on the track. She was rushed to a nearby medical centre in Frankfield and later transferred to the Percy Junor Hospital in Manchester, where she died a few hours later. The cause of death remains inconclusive.

Following Gayle’s passing, all sporting activities at the school were halted for several weeks as every athlete underwent mandatory medical assessments before training could resume.

Just as the team started to regain momentum, another setback hit – this time in the form of Hurricane Melissa, which swept across the island. Several boarding athletes, including many from western Jamaica, were sent home as a precaution.

After the hurricane passed, the situation worsened. The school’s dormitories and several other buildings sustained extensive damage, leaving the institution without electricity and running water. As a result, the remaining boarders also had to be sent home.

Coach Dyke, in an exclusive interview with The Gleaner, described the immense challenges facing the programme.

“The season has been a challenging one for our track and field programme, which has always been a source of pride and inspiration. We are yet to resume full training,” said Dyke.

“Each attempt to restart has been met with setbacks, the most significant being the devastating impact of the recent hurricane,” he continued.

Dyke revealed that nearly 20 of their student-athletes – hailing from parishes such as Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St Mary, Trelawny, Clarendon, St James, and Manchester – were among the worst affected.

“Many of their families suffered major damage to their homes and are now struggling to recover and survive,” he shared.

The coach also spoke about the school’s infrastructural damage.

“The school itself sustained extensive damage, particularly to the roofs of several buildings. Despite these challenges, we are doing everything possible to provide care and stability for our student-athletes, most of whom are experiencing a disaster of this magnitude for the first time,” Dyke concluded.