FALMOUTH, Trelawny — Wakefield’s rising track and field stars are proof that greatness can emerge from rural Jamaica, says councillor for the division Jonathan Bartley, who has lauded Jabari Matheson, Sanjay Seymour, and Daniella Dixon for bringing pride to Trelawny through their athletic achievements.

The trio were honoured during the National Heroes’ Day Civic and Awards Ceremony in Water Square, Falmouth, for their outstanding performances and contributions to sport.

Bartley said the recognition was an important way of encouraging young people to pursue excellence, particularly at a time when some were becoming discouraged by their circumstances or failing to realise their potential.

“They are from a little rural community where they could just sit back and give up. But they pushed forward and showed that good things can come out of the countryside,” said Bartley, who is also deputy mayor of Falmouth.

He added that the athletes had demonstrated that young people could excel both academically and on the field, providing positive examples for others in Wakefield and across the parish.

Bartley also praised the trio for the pride they had brought to Trelawny, noting that their achievements reflected well on the community and the wider parish.

“I really like how all of them big up Trelawny and how they make Trelawny look good. They are from Wakefield; they are from the parish,” he said.

Daniella Dixon receiving an award from mayor of Falmouth, Councillor C Junior Gager, on October 19 during the National Heroes’ Day Civic and Awards Ceremony in Water Square, Falmouth.

He encouraged the young athletes to draw inspiration from Jamaica’s sprinting greats Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown as they continue to develop their careers and pursue further success on the international stage.

The three were recognised by the Trelawny Municipal Corporation (TMC) for their achievements at the national and international levels, as well as their leadership and positive influence on young people.

Matheson, a student of William Knibb Memorial High School and former student of Wakefield Primary School, has distinguished himself in the 200-metre and 400-metre events.

He captained William Knibb’s track and field team to victory in the 4×400-metre relay at Western Championships, where the team broke the existing record. The team also secured a top-10 finish in the 4×100-metre relay at the national championships.

Matheson further demonstrated his potential in Canada, where he broke the Under-20 200-metre record and earned medals in both sprint events.

Seymour, a former William Knibb student, enjoyed an impressive 2026 season, winning the Under-20 200-metre gold medal at the Carifta Games in Grenada before successfully defending his Class One 100-metre and 200-metre titles at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. He also won the Class One 100-metre event at Western Championships.

His international campaign culminated in a bronze medal as a member of Jamaica’s men’s 4×100-metre relay team at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.

BARTLEY…they pushed forward and showed that good things can come out of the countryside

Seymour has also excelled academically, earning six Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects. He received the award for the sportsperson with the best academic results at graduation, along with the prestigious William Knibb Ambassador Award.

Dixon, meanwhile, has established herself as another promising talent from Wakefield. A Western Championships record holder, she has represented Jamaica at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels in the 400 metres and 4×400-metre relay.

In July 2026, she finished third in the 400 metres while representing Jamaica in Mexico. She later clocked a personal-best 52.64 seconds at the Jamaica Under-20 trials in Kingston before advancing to the semi-finals of the 400 metres at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships, where she finished fifth in her semi-final.

Now a scholarship recipient at Holmwood Technical High School, Dixon continues to balance her academic and athletic pursuits while contributing to community sporting activities and encouraging her peers.

Wakefield has also produced other notable track and field talents, including Shanoya Douglas, further underscoring the community’s contribution to Jamaica’s rich athletics tradition. She was also awarded by the TMC in a recent civic ceremony.

The recognition of Matheson, Seymour and Dixon highlights Wakefield’s contribution to Jamaica’s track and field talent pool and the promise of a new generation aspiring to represent the country with distinction.

The National Heroes’ Day Civic and Awards Ceremony was hosted by the Trelawny Municipal Corporation in partnership with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, recognising individuals whose achievements and contributions continue to bring distinction to the parish and the country.