#Champs2026: KC’s Ruto and Edwin Allen’s Morgan set up big clashes

Edwin Allen High’s Joel Morgan cross the finish line trailed by Kingston College's Nahashon Ruto in the first round of the Class 1 1500m during the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Tuesday (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

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March 24, 2026

#Champs2026: KC’s Ruto and Edwin Allen’s Morgan set up big clashes

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston College’s Nahashon Ruto and Edwin Allen High’s Joel Morgan gave a glimpse of what is to come later at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Athletics Championships at the National Stadium after they crossed the line virtually together in the first round of the Class 1 1500m on Tuesday.

Both athletes, who are also expected to clash over the 800m, separated themselves from the field in the second semi-final where Ruto was timed in 4:07.97 and Morgan in 4:07.98.

Calabar High’s Justin Webb won the first semi-final in 4:09.22 while Bellefield High’s Roquelme Johnson- 4:10.16 and Raheem Palmer of Alphansus Davis who ran 4:10.82 also advanced.

The Jamaica College pair of Shemar Green- 4:14.80 and Carlos Brison-Caines- 4:11.03 also made progress.

Cavel Nooks of Jamaica College left nothing to chance as he led the Class 2 qualifying with 4:16.42, ahead of Luke Plummer of Sydney Pagon STEM Academy who ran 4:16.51 followed by Bellefield High’s Jevaughn Tomlin- 4:16.67 and St Jago High’s Phillip Palmer- 4:16.72.

Denbigh High’s Markland Williams- 4:17.36 and Excelsior High’s Keniel Daniels- 4:17.75 also qualified for the final.

Kingston College’s Julius Itubo is the red hot favourite to retain his Class 3 championship and led the qualifying with 4:15.25, well ahead of the Jamaica College pair of Rikardo Lee-4:19.73 and Ajovi Williams- 4:31.60.

Holmwood Technical’s Joshua Pryce ran 4:31.62 and Calabar High’s Bryan Stewart also qualified with 4:33.48.

— Paul A Reid