Successful Siblings in this year's secondary schools' championships, John and Akela Jones.

by MELISSA ROLLOCK

THEY ARE EACH OTHER'S biggest cheerleaders.

Every year when the secondary schools' championships roll around, the names John and Akela Jones continually pop up on the record books.

This year was no exception.

The siblings showed off their genetic prowess in sports by not only excelling in their respective events, but also by setting new records in the process.

Akela, 13, a student of Springer Memorial School, set a new record in the Under-17 Girls' long jump – 5.42 metres from the previous 5.41 metres. She also won the high jump, placed second in the 200 metres race, and third in the shot put. Still, she doesn't classify this as her best year.

"Last year was my personal best," she told the SUNDAY SUN. "I won the long jump, 100 metres, 200 metres and the high jump. I also set two records."

John, a 15-year-old student of the Garrison Secondary School, excelled in the Under-17 Boys' javelin and shot put placing first in both. He set a record in the shot put with 14.95 metres, up from 14.36 set in 1998.

Akela and John are headed to the 37th CARIFTA Games in St Kitts which run from Friday to Monday.

Their training will become more intense as they prepare to go up against some of the best athletes in the Caribbean. And, as with other areas of their lives, they rely on each other for support and encouragement.

"I keep the most noise when he's competing. Even at the Stadium when he was throwing the shot put, I asked everybody to put their attention on the event because my brother was throwing," said a proud Akela during an interview recently.

John added: "I also keep a lot of noise when she's competing."

Part of the secret of their success in the just-concluded Powerade Secondary School Championships was training together.

Akela admitted she started her training late, but she trained every day as part of a rigourous routine which included running eight 200 metre dashes in one training session.

John, however, started quite early working with weights, then on his technique with his coaches at school. Part of his training also included a public speaking course which will help him in interviews in the future at other local, regional and international sporting events.

They both aspire to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London – Akela in the high jump and John in basketball.

Yes, he's also pretty good on the basketball court. He is not yet on the national basketball team, but hopes to be soon. His sister wants to be a professional athlete someday.

They are still quite giddy from all the celebrations surrounding their recent success, but are careful not to let it stroke their egos.

"The attention is a lot of fun," said Akela. However, her big brother chimed in: "But you can't let it get to your head, you have to stay focussed."

Akela has double the reason to celebrate since her school were the girls' champions for the tenth time.

"We celebrated the day after the finals. It was a lot of fun. We got trophies and there were drums and music and dancing. My friends told me I did well and some even said they wanted to join the track team for next year's school sports.

"As to our winning formula, all I can say is that the legacy is passed on every year," she said, giving this piece of advice to those who didn't do as well this year:

"If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. You have to believe in yourself, it is all in your mind. When I'm doing my high jumps, I believe it first and then I carry out the action."

For John and Akela, the hard work has just begun; but they are up to the challenge. Athletics has been – and hopefully will continue to be – a source of happiness in both their lives. Akela and John have a younger brother, Jah, who also runs, an older sister, Irecka, who plays basketball and an older brother, Johnathan, who received a football scholarship three years ago.

"I like sports really bad; to do this you have to like it," said Akela.

"Sport keeps me out of trouble. I love it," John added.