Jamaica College’s star jumper Michael-Andre Edwards says it’s a bittersweet moment for him in his last year at the institution, having committed to attend Kansas State University.

Edwards, who won the Class One long jump with 7.71m inside the National Stadium on Wednesday, has lost only once throughout his Champs career in his first year of the triple jump, which was in Class Two.

Other than that, he has been unbeaten in the long jump and is hoping to lead JC to its first title since 2021 before departing to the Wildcats.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling. I’m excited to go to Kansas State. Of course, I’ve been there and I’ve seen the facilities and seen the people,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“I’m excited to develop more up there but JC has been home for, like, seven years, five years at Champs, so seven years in total. So it’s going to be different, but I’m happy that it’s ending on such a good note so far,” he noted.

Despite the rivalry between schools, Edwards says he looks up to the Kingston College duo of long jumper Wayne Pinnock and triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert.

“I think all of them motivate me because all of them are very great technically and they perform well. Wayne Pinnock is the biggest inspiration in long jump and triple jumper Jaydon Hibbert, even though he hasn’t been competing for a while,” Edwards added.

He continued, “Recently, Jordan Scott is doing great. So those people I look up to and want to emulate them and be better than what they are.”

Edwards added that he has a little preference for the long jump but noted that it could change to the triple anytime.

On Thursday, he comfortably qualified for the final of the triple jump, leaping 15.43m, which was the best jump heading into the final.