Dexter Lee flies the Jamaica flag after winning the 100m at the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships in Poland yesterday. - Photo by Anthony Foster

WESTERN BUREAU:

BROAD SMILES ruled supreme at the Herbert Morrison High School in Montego Bay, St James, yesterday, as the school family reacted to news that Dexter Lee had won the 100m gold medal at the 12th IAAF World Junior Championship in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

"He told me that he was going to take home the gold medal," said a smiling principal, Paul Adams, as he savoured the good news with fellow staff members, vice-principal Claudette Keith and teacher/journalist Nodley Wright.

"He has not only done well for Herbert Morrison, but for all Jamaica, and for that we are extremely proud."

For Wright, who has had strong ties with the Herbert Morrison track programme since he joined the staff five years ago, the 17-year-old Lee's success was not surprising, and has brought him satisfaction.

"Dexter is just one of many outstanding athletes who I believe can make it with the right system in place to harness their talent," said Wright. "I am also very happy for coach Claude Grant because of the work he has put into this Herbert Morrison track programme."

Brother, father very happy

The joy on the Herbert Morrison campus was replicated when The Gleaner contacted Lee's home by telephone. His older brother Keniel - a promising athlete, as well - and his father, Devon, could hardly contain their joy as they reflected on Dexter's gold medal run.

"As the bigger brother and an athlete myself, I was a little bit nervous for him," said Keniel. "However, I also believe in his ability and now that it is over, I am very happy - this is a very happy time for my family."

Dad Devon basically struggled to come up with the right words when asked what was his first reaction when he got the news that his son had won gold for Jamaica.

"When I walked through the door a short while ago, his brother told me that he had won and I had to just thank God for him," said the elder Lee. "He has made me happy and proud and I just hope God will continue to protect him so that he can continue to move from strength to strength and achieve more for Jamaica."

In crediting Dexter's success to the discipline he put into his preparation and the school's track programme, which has been flourishing under coach Grant, Keith said she was not surprised by his winning run.

Talking spikes

"I am overjoyed, but I can't say I am surprised," she said. "Dexter is not one to talk too much - he is a youngster who lets his spikes do the talking."

Satisfied that the track programme at Herbert Morrison is having the desired impact on his students, principal Adams said he would like to see Government investing in the sports programme in schools as a way of creating more opportunities to develop young athletes.

"Sports is very costly and I hope that Government would give serious thought to having special budgetary allocation for sports in high school," said Adams. "That will help us to do even more in developing the young talent around us."