Not many people knew Cavalier’s top marksman Collin Anderson competed in track and field in high school. And that background training is what, he believes, has propelled him to the pinnacle of the Jamaica Premier League with 16 goals from 23 games.

Anderson, who celebrated his 23rd birthday Monday, April 17, ran all the sprints at Calabar High – from the 100m, 200m, 400m, 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles before graduating in 2018.

He was pretty quick with a personal best of 10.61 over the 100m; 200m best of 22.13; 49.10 over 400m; and 14.99 over the 110 hurdles. When that speed is properly utilised on the football field, he creates chaos for opposing defenders.

On Sunday, Anderson easily outsped the Portmore United back line and latched onto a ball over the top by Dwayne Anderson and expertly lobbed advancing goalkeeper Benjamin Williams in the 12th minute.

It was his 16th goal which puts him two clear of Mount Pleasant’s Trivante Stewart on 14 goals and Arnett Gardens’ Fabian Reid on 13 goals in the race for the Golden Boots.

“I set a target of 22 to 25 goals this season and I am going for it. I come out here every week and I work really hard, so I think I deserve it,” said Anderson.

Commands of “tracks man” as Anderson is referred to by Head Coach Rudolph Speid, constantly shouting at him to help his teammate and strike partner Dwayne Atkinson (nine goals), aptly called “Busy” to use their speed and work rates to close down players and formed the first line of defence for Cavalier very effectively. Occasionally the instruction is “run past them”.

Anderson told the Jamaica Observer that he is reaping the benefits of that background track training while at school.

“As you know track and field is very hard so every time I come out here I try to give it my all and it is working right now,” said Anderson with a smile on his face.

The feared striker, sporting a blonde hair top and standing at 6 ft one inch, has really made his mark and was given his Jamaican debut earlier this year against Trinidad and Tobago for an impressive goalscoring form from last season.

“It was a really good feeling the first time I played for my country, so I want to go back and I am looking forward to that right now,” he pointed out.

But his ambition doesn’t end there and Anderson is harbouring thoughts of playing overseas.

“I always wanted to be in Europe so that’s the focus right now and I always want to play in the English Premier League. So I will continue to push and push until I reached that level,” said Anderson.