Janieve Russell - File

Former Holmwood Technical standout Janieve Russell, who is now furthering her development under the tutelage of MVP Track Club head coach and president Stephen Francis, says she is adjusting well to the rigours of the senior ranks.

Russell, 19, an all-round athlete, helped Holmwood to seven of their nine straight ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships titles, captaining the squad for two of those wins.

Now on a scholarship at the University of Technology, where she is studying for a degree in hospitality and tourism management, Russell says she has been managing the increased workload well, and is looking forward to really making her mark in the senior ranks.

"It's a new experience for me but there is no fear, it's competition, if you lose you lose and if you win you win, there is no space for fear.

This year, I am focused on lowering my times and to make the World Champion-ship team, that's my focus now," said Russell.

"I was very pleased with my time working with coach (Maurice) Wilson at Holmwood and hope-fully this year, under coach Stephen Francis' guidance, I can do even better," said Russell.

"I am now looking forward to the World Championships and gradually working myself up as a new athlete on the block, so to speak."

A versatile athlete, who spent much of the last two years competing in the heptathlon, Russell says she will be following in the footstep of her role models Melaine Walker and Kaliese Spencer, focusing on the 400m hurdles, an event that is already bearing fruits for her after her gold-medal run at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Barcelona last year.

"I am training well, it's been good so far and I believe I am performing reasonably there, so hopefully when the season actually starts, and I step on the track, I will be taking down my times considerably," said Russell, who has a 400m hurdles personal best of 56.62 seconds.

Russell added that she is making the most of the experience working alongside Francis, regarded as, one of, if not the world's best coaches and his myriad of stars.

"As a junior athlete I looked up to these athletes a lot and it's been a great experience working and training alongside all of the great athletes at MVP," said Russell.

"They have been like mentors to me and have taught me a lot, push me forward and correct me when I make mistakes during the sessions."