Passion, sibling rivalry fuel St Andrew’s coach Rochester
Olivia Rochester, one of two assistant coaches at St Andrew High School for Girls, is passionate about guiding the success path of athletes and looks forward to the institution returning to the glory days when they were one of the top Corporate Area teams at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs).
Rochester joined head coach Matheu Tapper at St Andrew last September to be among the young female track and field coaches who have been plying their trade in high schools for the past few seasons.
“I am very passionate about track and field, and coaching. My love has always been there growing up as an athlete at Clarendon College,” said Rochester, a graduate of The Mico University College.
“I got the push more while attending Mico, where I competed at the Intercollegiate Championships for two years. The first time, I won the 1,500 and 3,000 metres, and in my final year, I won the 800, 1,500 and 3,000 and was named champion female of the meet,” she recalled.
“When I left Mico, there was a coaching position at St Andrew High, and I grabbed it with both hands as I am working with head coach Tapper, helping in the sprints from 100 to 400 metres.
“I really love coaching, and it is not about the money, but the love of seeing those athletes doing well in competition. I love coaching more than teaching,” said Rochester, who also does teaching duties at Pembroke Hall High School.
CHANGING FAILURE
Rochester is intent on changing St Andrew’s failure to garner a point at Champs last year after getting 10 points two years ago to finish 22nd overall. They finished fifth with 163 points at the recent Corporate Area Development Meet.
“We did not hear St Andrew High called last year, and we want to ensure that is changed this time around, as we have some talented athletes in Classes Four and Three, and we are building on this for the future,” she continued.
At the recent Youngster Goldsmith Classics, Class Four athlete Cheyenne Reid performed best for St Andrew, finishing fourth in the 70 metres hurdles final in a personal- best 11.23 seconds.
“Many of the athletes do not believe in themselves, and we are trying to ensure they do so and are not afraid when they go and compete against other teams,” Rochester said.
OUTDO BROTHER
She stated that she is motivated to do well as she wants to outdo her brother, the head coach of Meadowbrook High School’s track and field team.
“We have a little competition amongst ourselves, as I tell him that his athletes will never finish ahead of my athletes at the various meets; and he also thinks the same, and this really helps to push and motivates me to do well,” said Rochester, who stated that so far her athletes have come out on top of her brother’s charges.
She hopes St Andrew will be in many finals at Champs.
“The athletes are still learning, and although they may not get many medals, we are hoping that they are in a lot of finals, so that they can pick up as many points as possible, which will be good for the programme going forward,” Rochester said.