Wed | Dec 18, 2024

McKnight – A man always right on time

Western Relays clockman happy with patron nod for 30 years of service

Published:Wednesday | February 15, 2023 | 1:31 AMHubert Lawrence/Gleaner Writer
Western Relays Patron Anthony McKnight (right) receives gifts and commendations from Jamaica Olympic Association president, Christopher Samuda (second left), as Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association executive Vilma Charlton (centre) looks on during
Hubert Lawrence photo
Western Relays Patron Anthony McKnight (right) receives gifts and commendations from Jamaica Olympic Association president, Christopher Samuda (second left), as Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association executive Vilma Charlton (centre) looks on during a Milo Western Relays presentation ceremony at the GC Foster College on Saturday..

WHEN THE organisers of the 2023 Milo Western Relays gathered their honourees on the infield at the GC Foster College of Physical Education & Sport on Saturday, fans immediately recognised youth awardees Bouwahjgie Nkrumie and Serena Cole. It was harder for most to name the tall gentleman beside them, even though he is quite familiar to those who have supported local and regional track and field in the last 30 years.

Those close to the sport know Anthony McKnight well.

This computer science teacher has devoted himself to electronic timekeeping, a critical ingredient in the modern track meet. He was involved in 1994 when electronic timing replaced handtiming at the Western Relays and officiated at the meet since then. As a thank-you for his service to the meet and the sport at large, he was named Patron of the Relays on Saturday.

McKnight, a maestro with the phototiming cameras and computer programs, was delighted.

“I feel great. I never did it for this award. I just do it for the love of the sport, but it’s nice to be appreciated,” he said proudly just after his moment in the spotlight with Bouwahjgie and Cole.

Three decades of work in his field has made him a regional electronic timing expert, with many years of service to local meets and multiple tours of duty at the Carifta Games and other meets in the Caribbean.

Oddly enough, his love affair with the sport began with the long-legged McKnight as a hurdler.

“I started out as a coach. I got to love the timekeeping, so I did and just switched from coaching. I couldn’t handle the stress from coaching anymore,” recounted the man who taught for years at Wolmers’ Boys’ School.

He made the change to the timekeeper’s stand and eventually to electronic timekeeping for life.

“The rest is history.”

SOFT SPOT

He lists six-time individual World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce as his favourite athlete but still has a soft spot for hurdling.

“When executed properly, it is a beautiful event to watch,”, he told the meet organisers.

He encouraged others to become track and field officials.

“It’s an opportunity for them, you know, especially the youngsters because if you’re good enough, you can work at an Olympic Games, a World Championships,” he recommended.

The veteran timekeeper shared centre stage with Bouwahjgie and Cole, who both won silver medals in the 100 metres at last year’s World Under-20 Championships. St Elizabeth native Bouwahjgie, the only three-time track and field captain at Kingston College, flew to his silver in 10.02 seconds to establish a national under-20 record.

He also raced to second place at the Carifta Games last season.

Cole won the long and triple jumps for Edwin Allen High School at Boys and Girls’ Championships and ran a storming first leg as part of the fastest Penn Relay 4x100 in history – 43.18 seconds. After winning her World Under-20 100 metre silver, Cole helped Jamaica to a world under-20 record victory in the sprint-friendly climate of Cali, Colombia.