Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Graham

JAMAICA HAS lost another of its top track and field coaches to the United States.

Lennox Graham, who, as head coach, guided Kingston College (KC) to five of six consecutive titles at the National Boys and Girls Championships between 2001-2006, has followed his namesake and former St. Jago coach, Raymond 'KC' Graham, and taken up work in the U.S.

He is now the head of the boys' and girls' programmes at Johnson C. Smith University, a division two school in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Graham, who spoke to The Gleaner in a telephone interview yesterday said it was a difficult decision to leave Jamaica but felt the island would benefit from his recruiting.

Quarter-miler Leford Green is his first recruit.

"KC is like an addiction, I had adopted Alpha and they became part of the family, so it was a very difficult thing to pull out on your family," Graham said.

Tough decision

"But at some point in life, you have to look at your own road map as an individual and also the road map for the family you are a provider for, and then you have to make some tough decisions," he said.

Shermaine Williams, who Graham helped to the World Youth silver medal in Ostrava, Czech Republic, said she missed her coach already.

"I am a bit down, but I still have to remember the things I have done in the past and correct myself when I feel like I am doing something wrong," said Williams.

Williams won silver in the 100m hurdles at the World Youth Games in 13.46. She also won the Under-20 gold at the CARIFTA Games in a personal best 13.51 over the higher hurdles.

Graham was also instrumental in the development of national junior 110m hurdles record holder Kerion Stewart, Under-17 CARIFTA Games gold medallist Rosemarie Carty, André Peart and Kimarly Henry.