JAMAICAN Sekou Clarke, one of the founders of American-based company Auctus Global Sports Management, says they are very delighted with the signing of national junior 100 metres record holder Alana Reid, as she begins her career as a professional athlete.

“We are extremely excited about Alana because she has immense talent and I think she has a lot of room for improvement, based on her strength level,” Clarke told the Jamaica Observer when contacted Monday regarding managing the affairs of the 18-year-old rising sprint sensation.

“She is also very focused and very passionate about the sport. We are also excited, especially, that Alana is our first young Jamaican talent,” Clarke said.

Clarke, a former national senior representative, and Olympian Dwight “Bigga” Thomas are the founding members of Auctus Global Sports, a management company which operates out of Florida.

The company also represents 400m hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Olympic 200m silver medal winner Kenny Bednarek of America, and Jamaican 4x400m relay silver medallist Akeem Bloomfield.

Clarke noted that Reid, who is also outstanding over 200 metres, will be guided in the professional ranks by Corey Bennett, her Hydel High School coach.

Clarke, a former Jamaica College track standout, said they are yet to sign an endorsement deal for Reid but pointed out that negotiations are ongoing with a shoe company.

Reid, who has enjoyed top form all season, clocked a staggering 10.92 seconds to win the Class One girls’ 100m final at the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships in March to set the national Under-20 record. In the process the then Hydel student smashed Veronica Campbell Brown’s record.

Reid also became the fifth-fastest junior of all time and the 21st Jamaican woman to run a sub-11 clocking. Days later she became the 2023 Carifta Games gold medallist in the event.