SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts — AIC Track and Field sprinter Junior Grant has brought determination, resilience, and a passion for track and field to the AIC Yellow Jackets. A Nursing major from Hartford, Connecticut, originally from St. Mary, Jamaica, Grant competes in the 200m and 400m events and enters his first season at AIC eager to make an immediate impact.
Teammates describe Grant as serious, funny, and dedicated, reflecting both his disciplined approach to training and the lighthearted energy he brings to the team. His journey in track began early. Grant started running with a club in fourth grade and has dedicated more than 11 years to the sport.
After moving to the United States and completing high school in Queens, N.Y., he spent two years competing at Monroe College before transferring to AIC. Grant acknowledges that his transition to the U.S. was challenging and not what he initially expected, but the experience shaped him in meaningful ways—building his maturity, perspective, and mental toughness.
While track remains central to his life, Grant values the balance that comes from his routines outside of competition. During non-training runs, he finds focus and motivation by listening to music, a small but meaningful ritual that helps him reset and stay centered. He also credits his parents for shaping the person he is today: his mother, a teacher, and his father, a pastor, instilled in him values of discipline, humility, and integrity.
Grant's path has not been without obstacles. During his time at Monroe College, he suffered two injuries that sidelined him and forced him to explore his identity beyond track. These setbacks, while difficult, allowed him to grow mentally, discover new interests, and return to competition with renewed purpose.
At AIC, Grant is focused on maximizing his first season. After several years without a personal record due to injury, he is eager to push his limits, achieve new PRs, and compete at the highest levels. His goals include earning NE10 All-Conference recognition, qualifying for nationals, and ultimately achieving All-American honors.
Looking beyond athletics, Grant aspires to work as a traveling nurse for five to six years before transitioning into nursing informatics, a field that combines healthcare and technology through the development and management of medical IT systems. One of his greatest inspirations is his brother, who serves in the U.S. Army—someone Grant considers a role model whose strength and resilience have set the standard for the man he hopes to become.
Focused, driven, and ready for the next step, Junior Grant embodies the spirit of AIC Athletics. His story is one of perseverance, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence, both on the track and in the field of nursing.
