Jamaican teen sprint star Alana Reid makes bold coaching switch to elevate career

Alana Reid

Jamaican teen sprint star Alana Reid makes bold coaching switch to elevate career

Festus Chuma 08:00 - 14.01.2025

Reid has made a pivotal coaching change, signaling her ambition to transition from junior success to senior international dominance.

Jamaican youngster Alana Reid has made a significant shift in her career trajectory by switching coaches as she eyes dominance at the senior international level. 

The 19-year-old sprint sensation recently announced her departure from Star Athletics to join a new training setup, signaling a bold move at a pivotal stage in her development.

Reid will now work under the guidance of renowned coach Lawrence “Boogie” Johnson, whose accolades include the 2024 USTFCCCA Indoor and Outdoor National Assistant Coach of the Year and multiple USATF National Coach of the Year titles. 

Johnson’s experience in shaping elite athletes could provide the perfect platform for Reid to transition smoothly from junior success to senior prominence.

The move comes after a productive year at the Florida-based Star Athletics Track Club, where Reid trained alongside elite athletes such as Sha’Carri Richardson and Twanisha Terry under the tutelage of Dennis Mitchell. 

During her time with Mitchell, Reid made remarkable strides, including clinching gold medals in the 100m and 4x100m relay at the World U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, and recording a season-best time of 11.06 seconds in the 100m.

Reid also contributed to Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, which finished fifth overall, further solidifying her reputation as a rising star on the world stage. 

However, her most notable achievement to date remains her blistering 100m personal best of 10.92 seconds at the 2023 Jamaican Junior Championships, a time that still stands as the National U20 Record.

While Reid’s achievements are undeniable, the decision to switch to Johnson’s camp appears to be driven by her ambition to excel at the senior level. 

Johnson’s expertise, honed through years of working with top athletes, could offer the technical guidance and mentorship Reid needs to realize her full potential. 

Based at the University of Arkansas, Reid will now join a talented and experienced group at her new training base, which includes Paris Olympics medallists and fellow Jamaican stars Ackera Nugent and Nickisha Pryce.

The move to Johnson’s camp reflects Reid’s readiness to embrace new challenges and refine her craft. 

With a 200m personal best of 22.95 seconds, set while winning bronze at the 2022 World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, Reid has already shown she has the versatility and talent to compete at the highest level.

 However, the transition from youth dominance to senior success often requires strategic adjustments, and Reid’s choice of coach underscores her commitment to making that leap.

This coaching change marks a critical juncture for the young sprinter as she seeks to build on her already impressive resume. 

The track and field world will be watching closely to see how this move shapes the next chapter of her career.