MANDEVILLE, Manchester — There was a celebratory atmosphere here on Wednesday as students and staff from Bellefield High gathered in the Mandeville town centre to celebrate their star athlete Jevaughn “Bubbie” Tomlin, who mined gold twice at the recent Carifta Games in Grenada.

Principal at Bellefield High Paul Grant, in recognising Tomlin’s victory in the 1,500m and 3,000m Boys’ Under-17 events at the Kirani James Stadium in St George’s, Grenada, emphasised the school’s history in middle and long distance races.

“We have had a legacy when it comes on to middle and long-distance running for years, for decades. I can tell you that we have an excellent coach and we have an excellent team. We went to the Boys’ Champs for this year and of all the 100-plus schools that entered we placed in the top 15 position with just 20 students. That speaks volumes to the kind of training, leadership and attitude of our athletes,” he said.

He lauded Tomlin’s victory as a major milestone for the Bellefield High School.

“As a result of his progress he was called to the Carifta trials and when he was called up for the national team he went to Grenada and he dominated. He won the 1,500-metre gold and the 3,000-metre gold and the school family is elated. We are ecstatic. Words cannot express how we are feeling… This is an opportunity for us to show that something good is happening at the Bellefield High School. We have good and qualified teachers. We have brilliant and athletic students,” said Grant.

“Our mantra is discipline, academics and sports. This kind of effort by Jevaughn will indeed cascade into many areas of academic life,” added Grant.

Fifteen-year-old Tomlin expressed gratitude to his school for honouring his success.

“My school motivated me and here they are celebrating with a motorcade. I feel good. The school is excited. My family, especially my parents and my coach, feel proud,” he said, while pointing out that he was filled with confidence at the Carifta Games.

“I didn’t feel any way, because no one was there to run leave me. I didn’t see anyone to challenge me, because I worked hard. In the 3,000 metres I ran 9:12 minutes and in the 1,500 metres I ran 4:10 minutes. In the 3,000 I ran 9:25 minutes at trials and then went to Carifta and ran 9:12 minutes, and in the 1,500 I ran 4:09 minutes [at trials] and then 4:10 at Carfita,” he added.

The official times for Tomlin were 4:10:92 minutes for the Under-17 Boys’ 1,500m and 9:12:49 minutes for the Under-17 Boys’ 3,000m.

Although basking in his success at Carifta, Tomlin is aiming to reach higher heights with a scholarship and is optimistic about success at the Penn Relays.

“I am hoping to get a scholarship and I am going to Penn Relays on Friday. I told the team I want to go and get a plaque,” he said.

Coach at Bellefield High and Jevaugh’s uncle Dean Tomlin said he has watched the growth of the teen athlete.

“He has developed. He came in from the Bellefield Primary School with a little difficulty in getting him to work hard, but he has learnt the ropes and now he is achieving the success. I just hope that he will use this as a motivation, work hard and know that nothing will come easy. This is not the end of the journey for him. This is just the beginning,” he said.

“Penn Relays is a team effort, so once he goes and does his best and the other teammates deliver then we are expecting to produce a plaque this year in the 4×800 metre relay. We have put in the work, so hopefully we will get the result,” he added.

Bellefield High students, staff and relatives of star athlete Jevaughn “Bubbie” Tomlin (centre) pose for a photo with him on Wednesday in Mandeville. (Photo: Kasey Williams)

Bellefield High students, staff and relatives of star athlete Jevaughn “Bubbie” Tomlin (centre) pose for a photo with him on Wednesday in Mandeville. (Photo: Kasey Williams)