For these track and field leaders, their success is turning heads and inspiring the next generation.
In eighth grade, Jameson Booker, Jelani Semper, and Amar Skeete caught the attention of the Catholic Memorial track and field team coaches. Following trips to the podium at the New Balance National Meet and the Middle School State Meet, these boys were pegged early for success.
What was not predicted was the impact they would have on the team’s culture and the way they would grow into leaders.
At the start of the most recent indoor track and field season, the three had been through more than most high school track athletes. As freshmen, they were part of a team that was rebuilding. That meant there were situations where Booker was on the start line of the 300 meters with juniors or seniors, or Skeete was trying to break 20 feet in the long jump while his competition had their sights set on 22.
At times, it felt like trial by fire.
“I think we all learned what it meant to be leaders. Being so young and performing like we did was helpful for our future because we learned how to handle the pressure of performing at championship meets,” says Booker.
By the end of their sophomore year, the three came to a crossroads. Semper was a state champion in the 4x100, Booker won the outdoor long jump title and was also a member of the 4x100 team, and Skeete was the New England Champion and an All-American in the triple jump. With that success came the question: should they take the rare step of focusing exclusively on track and field?
While they could have been varsity football and soccer players, their prospects as track and field athletes were too strong and all three opted to compete exclusively in track and field.
“When I found out that Christian Miller, one of the fastest sprinters in high school history, quit football, that made me realize that I am good at track so why not give it 100 percent,” says Semper.
As the undisputed track guys on campus with championships under their belts, the three became recognizable across the track and field community. In practice, middle school and freshman athletes look up to them the way they did with state champions like Devon Marshall ’22, Datrell Jones ’23, and Jaedn Skeete ’23.
Even at occasional practices at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, athletes between 12-14 years old would recognize Skeete and would be filled with excitement when he came over and gave pointers.
“It pushes me to try to inspire younger kids who are in the situation I was in and not taking track and field seriously,” says Skeete. “I tell them if you take it seriously early on, your talent can take you even further than me.”
In competition, they have built a reputation as friendly rivals who are also fierce competitors. At meets, the long jump and triple jump have become events to watch as the CM athletes encourage not only each other, but their opponents as well.
“Track is different than football or baseball. You want to be competitive, but you almost want to do it with a smile on your face,” says sprints and jumps coach PJ Rufo. “These guys have had a tremendously positive effect on the jumpers in Massachusetts. You go to a meet where we’re competing, the energy is high and people are cheering for each other.”
Despite a hamstring injury suffered by Booker during the Catholic Conference Championship, there was still much to celebrate. Skeete and Booker placed first and second in the long jump at both the MIAA Division 2 Championship Meet and the Meet of Champions.
In the Division 2 4x200, Skeete substituted for Booker and along with Semper, Orion Fernandez ’26, and Ramar Thomas ’29, won the title thanks to a heroic anchor leg from Semper, who took the team from a step behind Revere to a half-second championship win.
“I told them to get out, keep it close, when I get the baton, I’ll take them home,” says Semper.
At Nationals, Skeete earned All-American honors at Nike Indoor Nationals and placed seventh in New Balance Nationals in a brutal competition that saw the top seven finishers all break the meet record.
With their senior year quickly approaching, Division 1 coaches have begun recruiting the athletes and they are projected to be competitive at the college level.
For now, the goal remains to maintain CM’s standing as the place to be for jumps by inspiring the next generation.
“Seeing how they are able to share their talent and knowledge with us is inspiring, especially with how accomplished they are,” said fellow jumper Josh Rivera ’29. “They could have focused on themselves, but for them to work with us younger athletes and our jumping form is an amazing experience.”
