Cole will return to Edwin Allen for 2022-23 season

Edwin Allen High School’s outstanding sprinter Serena Cole will be returning to the Frankfield-based institution for the 2022-2023 school year, according to her coach Michael Dyke.

Cole’s teammate Tina Clayton, who defeated her to win the 100 metres gold medal at the recent World Athletics Under-20 Championships Cali, Colombia, along with her twin sister Tia, have decided to go professional and they will be joining the Stephen Francis-led MVP Track Club in September.

However, Dyke told The Gleaner that Cole, who clocked 11.14 seconds for silver behind Tina Clayton’s championship record 10.95, has turned down a number of offers from overseas schools to return to Edwin Allen.

“There were offers all round, but we decided that we wanted to improve on her PBs (personal best) and also to be a standout coming out of high school,” said Dyke.

“The fact is that she was overshadowed by the twins, and now they are out of the way she will be a lot more confident and believe in herself more going into next season,” he said.

Cole, a brilliant first-leg runner, combined with with Tina, Tia and Kerrica Hill to clock a World Under-20 42.59 seconds record for the women’s 4x100m relay at the Cali championships earlier this month. The 18-year-old Cole, who hails from the parish of St Thomas, is the second-fastest Jamaican junior this year in the 100m with a time of 11.13.

Dyke pointed out that Cole has had a terrific year and, therefore, a lot more will be expected of her next season.

“It has been an excellent year for her. She has achieved a lot individually and she was a part of a world-record relay team,” said Dyke. “She is a silver medallist at the highest level as a junior, and so I don’t think we could have asked for more from her,” said the veteran coach.

“She will definitely be the one to hold the sprints together for us next season in Class One and so a lot will be expected of her,” Dyke added.