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New school, same attitude - Douglas ‘loves’ Holland High; sets sights on success at senior level
October 09, 2025
It will be a new environment for 18-year-old Shanoya Douglas when the upcoming track and field season gets under way, but the talented sprinter is confident the results will be just the same - or even better.
Douglas, who has represented Muschett High throughout her high school career, will now don the colours of neighbouring school Holland High in Trelawny.
She is one of five athletes who made the switch from Muschett, following a move by her long-time coach, Garth Smythe, at the start of the new track and field season in September.
The past two years have been nothing short of spectacular for Douglas. In 2024, she captured bronze in the 200m at the World Under-20 Championships in Lima, Peru, before anchoring Jamaica's 4x100m relay team to gold.
In 2025, she dominated the regional circuit by claiming double sprint titles at the Carifta Games in St George's, Grenada.
She also ruled her final year in Class Two at the ISSA Boys' and Girls' Championships, before adding two more relay golds - in the 4x100m and 4x400m - at Carifta.
Now settled at Holland, Douglas is embracing the change.
"I love my new environment," she said. "The people here have made me feel very welcome, and I want to put Holland on the map in track and field. The students tell me they've seen me on television, and now that I'm here with them, they're really happy - and so am I.
"I have no regrets leaving Muschett. I just want to thank my fans there and make my new ones proud."
Douglas is impressed with her new training base.
"Holland has a wonderful facility, and I think this will motivate me to do even better," she added.
Though she has shown strength across the 100m, 200m, and 400m, her heart is with the half-lap sprint.
"I prefer the 200m. I have the speed for the 100 and the endurance for the 400, and both help me in the 200," she explained.
Next year, she will enter Class One for the first time and is already eyeing more than just local success.
"I really want to do well at Champs for my new school and for myself, but my main goal is to improve on my bronze at the World Under-20 Championships when I compete next year in Eugene, Oregon."
Douglas draws inspiration from Jamaican sprint legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who recently retired.
"Like most other female athletes, I'm inspired by Shelly. She has been my role model for years, and I want to achieve the kind of success she had," Douglas said.
She also spoke highly of her coach.
"Coach Smythe has guided me well, both on the track and in the classroom. I rate him 10 out of 10. I'm confident that, with him, I'll make the senior (national) team soon."
Coach Smythe is equally full of praise for his young star.
"Shanoya is a special talent - we haven't seen the best of her yet. She takes training very seriously.
"She prefers to train with the boys because it's more competitive. My son Johan is her training partner, and they push each other every day," Smythe said.
He also believes her time to shine at the senior level is near.
"I'm very confident that Shanoya will make the World Championships and Olympic teams soon. She never complains about the workload, and that makes my job as a coach much easier," he said.
