KINGSTON, Jamaica – The plaudits have continued to come in for Hydel High whose meteoric rise in track and field culminated on Saturday with the school winning their first girls’ athletics title.

The feat has caught international attention, with pole vault world record holder Armand Duplantis sending his heartiest congratulations to Hydel High for winning the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships over the weekend.

Duplantis sent the congratulatory message in a video posted to Hydel’s head coach Corey Bennett’s social media pages on Tuesday.

“I just wanted to say congratulations to all you guys Hydel High on winning the Championships and to all you that will be going to the upcoming nationals. Good luck, wish you all the best and I hope all goes well,” the Olympic and World champion Duplantis stated.

Hydel High, who only started competing at ‘Champs 13 years ago, became the 13th school to win the Girls title, joining St Hildas High, Manchester High, St Andrew High, Titchfield High, Mannings School, Vere Technical, Excelsior High, St Mary High, The Queens School, St Jago High, Holmwood Technical and Edwin Allen.

They dethroned Edwin Allen by a mere two points after 46 finals and five days of competition.

READ: #Champs2023: Hydel High wins first Girls’ Champs title; KC wins 34th in the Boys’ section