PETERSFIELD High School’s Head Coach Machel Woolery has hinted that his outstanding female sprinter Alexis James could be joining the professional ranks next season.

Woolery, who has been tight-lipped when asked about James’ future, said they have not decided on what she will be doing next season but going professional is definitely an option for her.

“We are going to have some discussions but we can’t say yet what we are thinking right now,” Woolery told the Jamaica Observer. “I would like the best scenario and best-possible situation and what makes her comfortable,” he added.

Woolery added: “I have heard those talks [going professional] and right now everything is an option.”

James was a silver medallist in the 100m hurdles at last year’s World Under-20 Championships, and she was also part of the gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team that broke the World Under-20 record.

James, 19, who is in her final year of high school, has had to overcome a series of injuries this year which hampered her progress on the track in 2022.

Woolery said James, who is scheduled to compete at the Penn Relays in the United States this month and the Pan Am Games Championships, is still not 100 per cent fit but she has been making steady progress in her recovery.

“She has made some progress so far but she still has some injuries bothering her and she is taking her time to get over them,” he said.

“She is very talented and she has been putting in a lot of hard work — and I like the improvements and I like the progress. She is one for the future, but with the right guidance. There are a lot of talented athletes that come out of Jamaica but where are they are now? And so, we are aware of this,” he said.

The versatile athlete, who is this year’s Western Championships winner in the 100m and 100m hurdles events, won the gold medal at the Carifta Games in the 100m hurdles in a new championships record of 13.06.

James currently has a personal best time of 11.44 in the 100m and 12.87 in the 100m hurdles event.