The outstanding display of sportsmanship by 12-year-old St John’s Primary student Perez Pearson at Wednesday’s grand final of the Central Championships, under the umbrella of the 42nd staging of the Devon Biscuits/Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) All-Island Primary Schools Athletics Championships, has been commended by his coach, Jermaine Miller.

Pearson finished tied for first place Male Overall Champion with Ricardo Granville of Naggo Head Primary.

“Perez is a multi-faceted student and he always had other areas to give of his time. However, his time management and the support he has at home is really top-notch and that has helped him to create the necessary balance that is needed to succeed,” Miller said.

Pearson, who is also head boy at his school, won first place in the long jump as well as in the Boys’ 9-13 800m Sprint Medley Open finals.

“I am extremely happy and proud of his execution in all his events. His performance, especially in the long jump, showed he has good composure under pressure as well, as it displayed his competitive nature.”

Miller has been Pearson’s coach for the past two years and believes the young athlete can excel at the high school level.

“For sure, he will continue track and field going into high school. He is a brilliant youngster academically and he has high ambitions of becoming a pilot. So I’m hopeful that he will continue in the sport after high school. If he does, I am confident that he will reach the national and international level and do well at whatever he does,” Miller shared.

According to Pearson’s mother, Tamara Woodhouse, he lost his father at the age of five. She said the elder Pearson had wanted his son to do well in academics and sports.

“If his father was alive, he would have been so proud of him. He always wanted him to do anything in sports and academics while being involved in school activities. I have been supportive of his sporting activities; I’m always at his track meets, and every event that he takes part in. I also make sure he has his gears,” said Woodhouse.

Woodhouse, who resides in Willowdene in Spanish Town, said she is ecstatic about her son’s achievements.

“It was a good performance. I am excited, overjoyed and nervous at the same time whenever he competes,” she said before sharing that his interest in sports started in the third grade.

“I think he was in the third grade when he began to take it seriously, but it wasn’t until he was in grade five that he started to run. This is his second year participating in the Central champs. Last year, someone ran past him at the finishing line, and he said he would never let that happen to him again.”

Sherene Bryan, brand manager for title sponsor Devon Biscuits, said that Pearson’s achievements augurs well for the brand and what it represents.

“It was an easy decision for us to come on board. We recognise the importance of supporting, fostering, and encouraging the young athletes of tomorrow. They are the future. It starts right here; these are the stars of the future,” said Bryan.