Calabar star quarter-miler Bramwell injured, Champs status uncertain

Calabar High School's prospects for the 2025 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships, popularly known as Champs, suffered a setback on Saturday after top quarter-miler Nickecoy Bramwell sustained an injury during the Boys’ 4x400m open relay at the Gibson McCook Relays.

Bramwell, who pulled up along the backstretch during the anchor leg, is set to undergo an MRI scan to determine the extent of his injury, casting doubt on his availability for the marquee championships scheduled for March 25-29 at the National Stadium in Kingston.

Head coach Corey Bennett acknowledged the severity of the situation, revealing that the injury has been a lingering issue for Bramwell since last season. “Nickecoy is due to undergo an MRI. At face value, it doesn’t sound too good, but we will do an MRI to determine the severity,” Bennett explained. “I am hoping, for his sake and the school’s sake, that it is not as bad as it looked on Saturday. Hopefully, the MRI will be done this week. In the meantime, he is receiving treatment.”

Bennett elaborated on the underlying cause of Bramwell’s recurring setbacks. “He has extremely tight muscles, which are causing a lot of the problems. We will make a decision as soon as we get the MRI results. Nickecoy is so important to the team. You saw how the boys rallied around him when he went down—that’s how much he means to them. It would be devastating if he is unable to compete at Champs.”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Bramwell, Calabar remains a formidable contender for the Champs title. The school boasts a well-rounded squad, featuring in-form sprinter Shaquane Gordon, who is expected to shine in the Boys’ Class One 100m, 110m hurdles, and 4x100m relay. Additionally, Byron Walker will lead the charge in the Boys’ Class Two 100m and 200m.

In the field events, Kamani Kennedy has been dominant in the discus and ranks highly in the shot put, adding significant firepower to Calabar’s title ambitions. The team also displayed impressive depth in the 400m, as seen in Saturday’s 4x400m relay before Bramwell’s unfortunate mishap.

With the championship race heating up, Bennett stressed the importance of injury prevention and athlete management. “I think our team is progressing well. We are coming along at the right time. We have had a fairly good season so far, but it’s just a matter of finishing strong. We are very cautious about injuries like what happened to Nickecoy, so injury management is critical,” he said.

The race for the coveted Champs title is expected to be highly competitive, with three-time defending champions Kingston College, and Jamaica College both boasting strong squads. “Kingston College won by a whole heap of points last year. I don’t see them being affected too much, but I suspect that if Calabar remains healthy, we can be a lot more competitive. Jamaica College is under new management, and we’re not sure what angles they’re taking, but I also expect them to be very competitive,” Bennett assessed.

While Calabar’s squad may be the smallest among the traditional “Big Three,” Bennett remains optimistic about their chances. “I think the boys are fine and raring to go. The school spirit is coming back, and I’m really hoping that, with a few weeks to go, we can keep them healthy. Hopefully, they will be ready to compete at their best by the end of March at Champs,” he said.

- Leighton Levy
Sportsmax