Reid has made tremendous progress since first joining the club in 2023, considering she won two gold medals at the World Junior Championships in Lima last August.
Jamaica’s rising sprint sensation, Alana Reid, is set to continue training alongside world champion Sha’Carri Richardson for another season, renewing her commitment to train under the experienced guidance of coach Dennis Mitchell at the Star Athletics Track Club in Florida.
The 18-year-old Reid, who recently claimed gold in the 100 meters and the 4×100 meter relay at the World U-20 Championships in Lima, initially took many by surprise with her decision to train in the United States rather than remaining in Jamaica.
Her initial switch to the Florida-based Star Athletics Track Club in October 2023 sparked debate back home. While some fans voiced concerns about Jamaica’s brightest young sprint talent training in what they consider a “rival” nation, others celebrated Reid’s ambition.
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After all, her move followed a historic run earlier that year, clocking a new Jamaican U20 record of 10.92 seconds in the 100 meters, as well as a multi-year sponsorship with Nike.
Now, months into her journey with Star Athletics, Reid has shed light on her reasons for training abroad and how her relationship with Richardson has helped her growth on the track.
In an interview with Jamaica Observer, Reid expressed the positive impact of training alongside Richardson, the world’s fastest woman of 2023.
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“It is a good feeling being around her (Sha’Carri Richardson). She teaches me a lot, and she shows me a lot of stuff,” Reid shared. The mentoring relationship has proven invaluable as Richardson, who herself has faced numerous challenges in her career, often provides guidance and support.
“There are times when I will make a few errors, and she will put me aside and say whatever. But it’s not for me to come here and focus on anybody; it is to focus on myself and prepare myself to be better than who I am,” Reid explained
. Her remarks suggest a grounded perspective, as she navigates balancing her growth as an individual athlete with the inspiration and insights gained from Richardson.
Despite the mixed reactions from Jamaican fans, Reid’s progress speaks for itself. With two gold medals already at the junior level and a national U20 record in hand, she’s setting her sights on continuing to break new ground. Reid’s focus on developing her skills and refining her race execution under Mitchell’s guidance could be pivotal for Jamaican sprinting’s future.
Alongside other young Jamaican talents like MVP Track Club’s Tia and Tina Clayton and Krystal Sloley and, Reid is helping to solidify the next wave of Jamaican sprinters who aim to uphold the legacy of icons such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah.
As Reid steps into her second season at Star Athletics, the young sprinter looks poised for an exciting future. With her sights set on international glory, Reid’s journey reflects her commitment to making her mark, not only for herself but also as part of Jamaica’s proud sprinting tradition.
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