2017 boys & girls champs final

PRE VIEW MAGAZINE

FROM THE PUBLISHER Hello Track Fans Welcome to a new era of the Champs Preview. In a new digital world with the advances made in technology, it is now time to embrace the digital era in publishing. As such, the Preview comes to you this year digitally.

In this new dispensation, where we seek to grow and expand viewership and evolve into a global publication, viewers will not be restricted to just a physical copy and will be able to access the Champs Preview from anywhere around the world. We will still offer the choice of having a printed copy in the future but for this edition we trust that you will take this leap of faith with us.

As the reign of one the greatest athletes the world has ever seen – Usain Bolt – comes to an end and we now look towards a new crop of stars, we also now look to the new way of presenting the Preview to you. Thanks to you, our loyal supporters over the years, who will be with us on this new journey and welcome to all new viewers. Stay with us, as we take you to higher heights.

Enjoy!

“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

CONTENTS

01 02 04 06 08 10 12 15 17

2017

ISSA BOYS' & GIRLS' ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS

PRE VIEW MAGAZINE

David Hunt Scholarship Order of Events On The Cover 2007 Meet Tissana Hickling Meet Jhevaughn Mathesan Olympics - TheLast Hurrah Carifta 2016 Review Penn Relays 2016 Review Boys’ Champs 2016 Review

Published by: Champion Publishing Editor: Georgette Hunt Photographers: Leo Hudson Joseph Cornwall Layout & Design: 2Intense Concepts

23 28 30 33 44 55 57 58

Girls’ Champs 2016 Review Where are They Now? Track & Field Round-up Girls’ Champs 2017 Preview Boys’ Champs 2017 Preview Previous Winners Girls’ Point Prediction Boys’ Point Prediction

Contributors: Hubert Lawrence Glenroy Morgan Oliver Harris

No part of this magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrival system or tramsmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher.

David ‘Wagga’ Hunt Memorial Scholarship Initiative The memory of former veteran local coach David ‘Wagga’ Hunt, who had almost 30 years of experience with football in Jamaica, continues to live on through this memorial scholarship following his untimely passing in October 2007. His illustrious legacy as a role model not only in football but as a human being has been highlighted each year with the presentation of scholarships to students from his alma mater, Kingston College and from Calabar High School. Hunt is described as a hard‐working administrator and at the time of his passing was the general secretary of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association serving with distinction. He was the longest serving secretary of the now–defunct Minor League Football Association and co-founder of Meadhaven United Football Club. As a coach, he lead Meadhaven United FC to championship honours in several age group competitions, and he is today Jamaica’s most successful National Under-17 coach, leading his charges to be the first ever Jamaican Team at any level to defeat the United States in competition.

Hunt was mainly responsible for reviving football at Calabar where he led them to their first title in 28 years in 2005, after just two years in charge. That year they also won their first Olivier Shield title. This was an unprecedented move, as Calabar and Kingston College are arch‐rivals. However, Hunt decided to coach Calabar in an attempt to bridge the unfriendly rivalry between both schools, with the mantra being ‘We can be rivals, but not enemies’.

Grade 13: Ronaldo Ferguson, Kingston College and Chris‐Anthony Campbell, Calabar HS Grade 12: Delroy Matterson, Calabar HS and Hamani Henry, Kingston College Grade 11: Clovis Donegal, Kingston College and Tajh Williamson, Calabar HS Grade 10: Geovani Thomas, Calabar HS and Jevaughn Grant, Kingston College Grade 9: Naem McKenzie, Kingston College and Amari Forbes, Calabar HS Grade 8: Kito Campbell, Calabar HS and Giovanni Henry, Kingston College; Gianni Henry, Kingston College

The scholarship initiative is enjoying its eighth (8) year with the offering of three (3) new scholarships for the 2016 ‐ 2017 school year to a grade eight student from Calabar and twins at KC, each valued at J$100,000 per year. As per the scholarship criteria, the recipients are chosen from nominees received from the school with the criteria being Grade 7 students who displayed commendable academic performance and attitude, are involved in sports and/or other extra‐curricular activities, and were deemed as in need of financial assistance. The scholarship period covers the students from Grade 8 to Grade 13 (6 years) at a cost of J$600,000 each and covers tuition, books, lunch and other related expenses. To date, 17 scholarships have been awarded and over J$8m disbursed over the past seven years. Once the scholarship holders maintain good behaviour and academic performance they will retain their scholarship entitlement.

the accuracy of its predictions for both total points and race by race results. It is a staple in engendering friendly debates and controversy without which Champs would not be the same, especially for the ardent supporters.

Of note, many of the chosen recipients over the years have done well both academically and in sports, holding substantive positions as Deputy Head Boy and team captains, while representing their schools at: Schools Challenge Quiz, Cricket, Basketball, Swimming, Football, and notable ‘Champs’ team members on record breaking relay teams in the past, as well as participating team members at this 2017 staging.

David’s work remains an inspiration to many and his legacy lives on. Spearheaded by his Washington DC based brother Christopher Hunt, and in conjunction with a number of David’s close friends, a Jamaica based organizing committee As we celebrate yet another Boys & Girls followed by a diaspora committee was Athletic Championships, it is appropri- formed with Co‐Chairmen, Christopher ate to note that David’s contribution Hunt and Arnold McDonald. Events to track & field in Jamaica was no less are held in Jamaica and throughout the inspiring. Wagga was a sports writer and diaspora along with valued corporate analyst who made regular contributions and individual sponsorship to fund the in print concerning training techniques scholarships on an ongoing basis. Major and athletic development. He was corporate sponsorship support over regarded as an expert as his knowledge the years has included, Victoria Mutual of the history and technical aspects which has been on board since its incepof athletics were incomparable. His tion, Supreme Ventures Limited, Proven brainchild annual publication “Champs Wealth Management, Grace Foods USA Preview” still alive in your hands today, and the Gibson McCook Relays Commithas served to provide meaningful pretee among other appreciative support race information and been renowned for too numerous to mention.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2017 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:40pm 1:25pm 1:50pm 2:00pm 2:05pm 2:15pm 2:35pm 2:40pm

Long Jump Class 1 70M Hurdles Class 4 Shot Put Throw Class 2 80M Hurdles Class 3 100M Hurdles Class 2 Javelin Throw Open 100M Hurdles Class 1 100M Hurdles Class 3 110M Hurdles Class 2 High Jump Class 1

BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims

2:55pm 3:25pm 3:45pm 3:55pm 4:25pm 4:45pm 4:40pm 5:15pm 5:30pm 6:00pm

110M Hurdles 800M Long Jump 800M 800M 800M Discus Throw 800M 800M Long Jump

Class 1 Class 3 Class 2 Class 3 Class 2 Class 2 Class 1 Class 1 Class 1 Class 2

BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims BOYS Prelims

6:10pm 6:40pm 7:10pm 7:40pm 8:00pm 8:25pm 8:40pm 9:15pm

200M 200M 200M 200M 200M 200M 200M Steeple Chase

Class 4 Class 3 Class 3 Class 2 Class 2 Class 1 Class 1 Open

GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims BOYS Prelims

5000M Open Shot Put Class 2 High Jump Dec. Open Long Jump Class 1 4 X 100M Class 4 4 X 100M Class 3 4 X 100M Class 3 4 X 100M Class 2 4 X 100M Class 2 4 X 100M Class 1 4 X 100M Class 1 400M Dec.

BOYS Prelims GIRLS FINAL BOYS E.V.#4 BOYS FINAL GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims BOYS E.V.#5

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2017 8:30 am Long Jump 8:30 am Shot Put 8:30 am Discus Throw 8:30 am 100M 8:35 am High Jump 8:45 am 1500M 9:10 am 1500M 9:35 am 1500M 9:55 am 1500M 10:10 am 1500M 10:30 am 1500M 11:05 am Long Jump

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Class 4 Class 1 Class 1 Dec. Class 3 Class 3 Class 3 Class 2 Class 2 Class 1 Class 1 Dec.

GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims BOYS EV.#1 GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims BOYS E.V.#2

1:30 pm 1:30 pm 1:35 pm 2:05 pm 2:35 pm 3:00 pm 3:05 pm 3:10 pm 3:35 pm 3:45 pm 4:10 pm 5:05 pm

Discus Throw Class 3 High Jump Class 2 400M Class 3 400M Class 3 400M Class 2 Shot Put Dec. Open Long Jump Class 2 400M Class 2 High Jump Class 3 400M Class 1 400M Class 1 Discus Throw Class 1

GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS E.V.#3 BOYS FINAL BOYS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS Prelims BOYS Prelims GIRLS FINAL

5:30 pm 5:30 pm 5:40 pm 5:50 pm 6:25 pm 6:50 pm 7:10 pm 7:35 pm 8:00 pm 8:20 pm 8:40 pm 9:00 pm

THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2017 8:15 am 110M Hurdles Dec. BOYS E.V.#6 8:30 am High Jump Class 4 GIRLS Prelims 8:30 am Discus Throw Class 2 GIRLS Prelims 8:30 am Long Jump Class 1 GIRLS Prelims 8:40 am Shot Put Class 2 BOYS Prelims 8:50 am 400M Hurdles Open GIRLS Prelims 9:10 am 400M Hurdles Class 2 BOYS Prelims 9:30 am 400M Hurdles Class 1 BOYS Prelims 10:00 am Discus Throw Open BOYS E.V.#7 10:00 am 100M Class 4 GIRLS Prelim 10:35 am 100M Class 3 GIRLS Prelims 10:50 am Long Jump Class 3 BOYS Prelims 10:50 am High Jump Class 3 GIRLS FINAL 11:10 am 100M Class 2 GIRLS Prelims 11:40 am 100M Class 1 GIRLS Prelims 12:00 pm Javelin Throw Open GIRLS Prelims 2:00pm MEDAL PRESENTATION 2:00 pm Triple Jump Class 1 BOYS Prelims

2:05 pm 2:10 pm 2:15 pm 2:45 pm 3:15 pm 3:25 pm 3:15 pm 3:45 pm 3:55 pm 4:10 pm 4:20 pm 4:30 pm 4:45 pm 4:55 pm 5:00 pm 5:10 pm 5:15 pm 5:45 pm

High Jump Class 2 BOYS Prelims Pole Vault Dec. BOYS E.V.#8 100M Class 3 BOYS Prelims 100M Class 2 BOYS Prelims Discus Throw Class 1 BOYS FINAL Long Jump Class 4 GIRLS FINAL 100M Class 1 BOYS Prelims 800M Class 3 GIRLS Semi-Final 800M Class 3 BOYS Semi-Final MEDAL PRESENTATION 800M Class 2 GIRLS Semi-Final 800M Class 2 BOYS Semi-Final 800M Class 1 GIRLS Semi-Final 800M Class 1 BOYS Semi-Final Shot Put Class 2 BOYS FINAL High Jump Class 3 BOYS FINAL 1600M Medley Relay Open GIRLS Prelims 1600M Medley Relay Open BOYS Prelims

5:50 pm 5:55 pm 6:00pm 6:25 pm 6:35 pm 6:45 pm 6:55 pm 7:05 pm 7:20 pm 7:35 pm 7:50 pm 8:10 pm 8:35 pm 8:55 pm 9:20 pm 9:35 pm

Long Jump Class 2 GIRLS FINAL Javelin Throw Dec. BOYS E.V.#9 MEDAL PRESENTATION 200M Class 4 GIRLS Semi-Final 200M Class 3 GIRLS Semi-Final 200M Class 3 BOYS Semi-Final 200M Class 2 GIRLS Semi-Final MEDAL PRESENTATION 200M Class 2 BOYS Semi-Final 200M Class 1 GIRLS Semi-Final 200M Class 1 BOYS Semi-Final 4 X 400M Open GIRLS Prelims 4 X 400M Open BOYS Prelims 1500M Dec. BOYS E.V.#10 2000M Steeple Open GIRLS FINAL 2000M Steeple Open BOYS FINAL

FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2017 8:30 am Triple Jump Class 2 BOYS Prelims 8:30 am 100M Hurdles Hep. GIRLS E.V.#1 8:35 am Javelin Throw Open GIRLS FINAL 8:35 am Shot Put Class 1 BOYS Prelims 8:40 am High Jump Class 1 BOYS Prelims 8:45 am 70M Hurdles Class 4 GIRLS Semi-Final 9:10 am 80M Hurdles Class 3 GIRLS Semi-Final 9:15 am 100M Hurdles Class 2 GIRLS Semi-Final 9:25 am 100M Hurdles Class 1 GIRLS Semi-Final 9:35 am 100M Hurdles Class 3 BOYS Semi-Final 9:55 am 110M Hurdles Class 2 BOYS Semi-Final 10:15 am 110M Hurdles Class 1 BOYS Semi-Final 10:30 am Long Jump Class 3 GIRLS Prelims 11:00 am High Jump Hep. GIRLS E.V.#2 1:05 pm Discus Throw Class 2 GIRLS FINAL 1:10 pm Long Jump Class 3 BOYS FINAL 1:15 pm MEDAL PRESENTATION 1:35 pm 400M Class 3 GIRLS Semi-Final 1:40 pm High Jump Class 4 GIRLS FINAL 1:45 pm 400M Class 3 BOYS Semi-Final 1:55 pm 400M Class 2 GIRLS Semi-Final

2:05 pm 400M Class 2 BOYS Semi-Final 2:15 pm 400M Class 1 GIRLS Semi-Final 2:25 pm 400M Class 1 BOYS Semi-Final 2:40 pm 100M Class 4 GIRLS Semi-Final 3:00 pm 100M Class 3 GIRLS Semi-Final 3:05 pm Discus Throw Class 3 GIRLS FINAL 3:10 pm 100M Class 3 BOYS Semi-Final 3:15 pm Triple Jump Open GIRLS FINAL 3:20 pm 100M Class 2 GIRLS Semi-Final 3:30 pm 100M Class 2 BOYS Semi-Final 3:45 pm 100M Class 1 GIRLS Semi-Final 4:00 pm 100M Class 1 BOYS Semi-Final 4:30 pm MEDAL PRESENTATION 5-6:00pm OPENING CEREMONY

HONOUREES CEREMONY 6:10 pm Pole Vault Open BOYS FINAL 6:10 pm Discus Throw Class 2 BOYS Prelims 6:15 pm High Jump Class 1 GIRLS FINAL 6:20 pm Triple Jump Class 1 BOYS FINAL 6:20 pm Shot Put Throw Hep. GIRLS E.V.#3 6:25 pm 1500M Class 3 GIRLS FINAL

6:30 pm 6:35 pm 6:45 pm 6:50 pm 7:00 pm 7:10 pm 7:20 pm 7:30 pm 7:35 pm 7:40 pm 7:45 pm 7:50 pm 7:55 pm 8:05 pm 8:10 pm 8:20 pm 8:35 pm 8:40 pm 8:50 pm 8:55 pm

1500M Class 3 BOYS 1500M Class 2 GIRLS 1500M Class 2 BOYS 1500M Class 1 GIRLS 1500M Class 1 BOYS MEDAL PRESENTATION 400M Hurdles Open GIRLS 400M Hurdles Class 2 BOYS 400M Hurdles Class 1 BOYS MEDAL PRESENTATION 100M Class 4 GIRLS 100M Class 3 GIRLS 100M Class 3 BOYS 100M Class 2 GIRLS 100M Class 2 BOYS 100M Class 1 GIRLS 100M Class 1 BOYS MEDAL PRESENTATION 200M Hep. GIRLS MEDAL PRESENTATION

FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL

SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 2017 1:00 pm 1:30 pm 2:05 pm 2:15 pm 2:20 pm 2:25 pm 2:30 pm 2:35 pm 2:40 pm 2:45 pm 2:48pm 3:00 pm 3:05 pm 3:10 pm 3:15pm 3:25 pm 3:35 pm 3:40 pm 3:43 pm 3:45 pm 3:50pm

Long Jump Hep. GIRLS Javelin Open BOYS High Jump Class 2 GIRLS 400M Class 3 GIRLS 400M Class 3 BOYS 400M Class 2 GIRLS 400M Class 2 BOYS 400M Class 1 GIRLS 400M Class 1 BOYS Long Jump Class 3 GIRLS MEDAL PRESENTATION Shot Put Class 1 GIRLS 70M Hurdles Class 4 GIRLS 80M Hurdles Class 3 GIRLS MEDAL PRESENTATION 100M Hurdles Class 2 GIRLS 100M Hurdles Class 1 GIRLS 100M Hurdles Class 3 BOYS High Jump Class 2 BOYS Discus Throw Class 2 BOYS MEDAL PRESENTATION

E.V.#5 FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL

4:00 pm 4:10 pm 4:15pm 4:20 pm 4:25 pm 4:30 pm 4:35 pm 4:40 pm 4:45 pm 4:50 pm 4:53 pm 4:50pm 5:10 pm 5:15 pm 5:20 pm 5:25 pm 5:30 pm 5:33 pm 5:35 pm 5:40 pm 5:45 pm

110M Hurdles Class 2 BOYS 110M Hurdles Class 1 BOYS MEDAL PRESENTATION 800M Class 3 GIRLS 800M Class 3 BOYS 800M Class 2 GIRLS 800M Class 2 BOYS 800M Class 1 GIRLS 800M Class 1 BOYS Shot Put Class 1 BOYS Long Jump Class 1 GIRLS MEDAL PRESENTATION 200M Class 4 GIRLS 200M Class 3 GIRLS 200M Class 3 BOYS 200M Class 2 GIRLS 200M Class 2 BOYS High Jump Class 1 BOYS 200M Class 1 GIRLS 200M Class 1 BOYS Javelin Hep. GIRLS

FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL

5:50pm 6:00 pm 6:10 pm 6:15 pm 6:25 pm 6:30pm 6:45 pm 7:00 pm 7:05 pm 7:10 pm 7:15 pm 7:20 pm 7:25 pm 7:30 pm 7:40 pm 7:45 pm 8:00 pm 8:25 pm 8:40 pm 8:50 pm 9:00 pm

MEDAL PRESENTATION 1600M Medley Relay Class 1 GIRLS 1600M Medley Relay Class 1 BOYS 3000M Open GIRLS Triple Jump Class 2 BOYS MEDAL PRESENTATION 8 X 50M PRINCIPALS 4 X 100M Class 1 GIRLS 4 X 100M Class 1 BOYS 4 X 100M Class 2 GIRLS 4 X 100M Class 2 BOYS 4 X 100M Class 3 GIRLS 4 X 100M Class 3 BOYS 4 X 100M Class 4 GIRLS 800 M Hep. GIRLS MEDAL PRESENTATION 5000M Open BOYS MEDAL PRESENTATION 4 X 400M Open GIRLS 4 X 400M Open BOYS CLOSING CEREMONY

FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL FINAL

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4

FEATURES

ON THE COVER The Preview family will view the 2007 edition with sadness. It ushered in a new era in the 24 year old publication as it was the last one publisher David Hunt had a hand in as he died suddenly later in the year. His editorial introduced readers to Glenroy Morgan and Oliver Harris as the new team undertaking the predictions, which hold the interest of Champs fans each year.

Hunt had growing duties in football coaching and administration to attend to and carefully selected the pair to care for the heart of the Preview.

Morgan and Harris began brilliantly.

Their predictions got the winning totals for Boys Champs and Girls Champs almost to the very digit and correctly foretold the top teams. Their work continued the accurate forecasting that David had worked so hard to establish.

2007

By: Hubert Lawrence

The cover once again featured high school athletes after a three year departure that had placed Usain Bolt, the 2004 Olympic 4x100 winning ladies team, Asafa Powell and Trecia Smith as the feature images on the face of the Preview. Camperdown’s Remaldo Rose, St Jago’s Natasha Ruddock, Theon O’Connor of Campion College and Schillonie Calvert of Holmwood Technical looked ready to run off the cover and into the National Stadium, which hosted Champs from March 28 to 31.

That fantastic four were placed on a caption that read ‘4 for The Future’.

Rose, the defending Class 1 100 and 200 metre champion, was upset in the short event by the speedy Yohan Blake of St Jago who took Tesfa Latty’s 2003 record of 10.24 seconds down to 10.21. With Rose not competing, Blake took the 200m as well. Blake’s 200m produced the second fastest run in Champs history – 20.62 seconds, as the climax of a super session of sprinting around the curve. The other boys to blaze were the Calabar pair of Ramone McKenzie who did the second half of a Class 2 400m/200m double in 20.89 seconds, and Travis Drummond, who brought the 22 second barrier within reach for Class 3 boys with his super clocking of 22.17 seconds.

Nevertheless, Hunt got his last Preview cover subject selections mostly right. Ruddock joined her St Jago predecessor Melaine Walker by winning the Class 1 100 metre hurdles to complete a collection of gold medals that started in Class 4. O’Connor made it 5 straight in the 800 metres and left Champs as a three time Class 1 winner. The Preview pegged Calvert as a repeat winner of the Class 1 girls sprint double. She did win the 100m again but lost the 200m to Holmwood teammate Anatascia Leroy, as their school won the Girls Champs crown for the 5th time in a row.

Calvert was the only one of the four on the cover to see the big times in the years beyond Champs 2007. She ran the 4x100m heats in the 2012 Olympics and gained a silver medal for her efforts. In the following season, she stormed the third leg to help Jamaica to win the gold medals in the national record time of 41.28 seconds at the 2013 World Championships.

Calvert isn’t the only 2007 winner to become a senior standard bearer. Blake, his St Jago colleague and Class 1 400m winner Rikert Hylton, Calabar’s Andrew Riley, the heptathlon champion, and Warren Weir – St George’s, Class 1 shot put runner-up, O’dayne Richards, Vere Tech triple jump queen, Kimberly Williams and Holmwood’s Class 4 high jump record breaker, Janieve Russell, are just a few of the 2007 participants whose names are called often these days when Jamaica goes to battle against the world in track and field athletics.

Blake is the most successful of them all. In 2011, he won the 100 metres at the World Championships and placed second to Usain Bolt at the Olympic Games in 2012. Bolt, Blake and Weir shared in a famous moment in Jamaica’s sporting history in those Games as they finished 1-2-3 in the 200 metres.

Sadly injuries slowed Rose and Ruddock, with the former nevertheless getting a silver as anchor of the 2010 Commonwealth Games men’s sprint relay team.

On a personal note, Hunt might have been a bit sad, as McKenzie and Drummond helped Calabar to end a six year winning streak by his former high school Kingston College. An even sadder moment was to come later in 2007.

5

STEADILY JUMPING MEET TISSANA HICKLING When Tissana Hickling steps forward to jump, something happens. “When I’m on the runway, I’m different”, she confessed on a rainy afternoon at the National Stadium East field. “I’m a very jovial person but once I touch that runway, my face gets serious”, she selfreported. “Then you can know”, the 19 year-old St Jago High School jumps lynchpin said, “that’s Hickling.”

When you confront Tissana with her Champs results history, her countenance also changes. It mirrors the surprise and satisfaction she feels about her steady improvement. Ottey-like in body structure at 5-9 and 133 pounds, she managed, “Looking from Class 3 at 5.45 and now at 6 for Class 2 and now I’m at 6.39, so it’s a big improvement for me.”

By: Hubert Lawrence

This year, she has improved again and not just in the long jump. A focus on speed has yielded personal bests in the 100 metres, the 100 metre hurdles and all the jumps. While she has lost twice in the triple jump, to Myesha Nott of Rusea’s at the Carifta Trials and to Edwin Allen’s Lotavia Brown at the Youngster Goldsmith Classic, she did win a Central Championships long jump/triple jump double of 6.33 and 13.29 metres.

To cast aside the doubt created by the absence of wind readings at Central Champs, she also has a Carifta Trials jump of 6.23m and that new personal best of 6.39m at the GC Foster Classic.

Despite a flashy 100 metre time of 11.78 seconds at the Camperdown Classic, she is focused on jumping and isn’t tempted to try the sprints or the heptathlon.

Those marks stand at 6.52 metres in the long jump and 13.63 metres in the triple and Brooks thinks they are within reach. “She’s in that frame of mind right now”, he evaluated.

“All being well, all being equal at Champs, she should have a good Champs.”

This late starter was a hurdler first but St Jago head coach Keilando Goburn made a shrewd decision during her Class 3 days. “I was doing hurdles one day and my coach said I should go over to Mr. Brooks”, she remembers, “so from that I just got adapted to all the jumping and when I went to Champs 2013, I saw that I actually had potential where the jumps are concerned.”

She came to St Jago by chance. Goburn first saw her during a visit to a coaching colleague at Portsmouth Primary. “I saw this tall girl towering about everybody, putting her toes in her mouth and I asked him about her”, he related of his first sight of her amazing flexibility, “if she does athletics, and he said no, he has actually been trying to convince her parents to get her to come out.” Goburn made the contact with them and the rest is history.

“Last year, Champs was very surprising for me”, she reviewed, “because I expected to take the long jump and the triple jump but unexSt Jago jumps coach Kurt Brooks pectedly, I didn’t.” Those titles went instead knows why Hickling has made such to the outstanding Samara Spencer of Hydel big strides. He likens her to the incom- High School but Hickling isn’t bitter. “I still parable Usain Bolt. “Her attitude, her give God thanks”, she said, “but this year I’m work ethic, everything that sums up for more focused and ready so I’m going for the 2 According to the head coach, “Tissana a good athlete”, he analysed. “Look at a records this year.”

Hickling is one of those special athletes who Usain Bolt. You know Glen Mills talks HICKLING AT CHAMPS about it, his attitude towards the training, his attitude towards competition, so forth”, he outlined. “She is basically 2013 2014 2015 2016 the female Usain Bolt”, he lauded, “but a jumper not a sprinter.’

CLASS 3 CLASS 2 CLASS 2 CLASS 1 “I’m very surprised”, she said modestly.

Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump

6

5.45 (3rd) 1.65 (4th)

5.77 (3rd) 1.70 (4th)

5.95 (1st) 1.70 (3rd)

6.06 (2nd) 12.96 (2nd)

FEATURES

has happened to grace the grounds of Ravensworth.”

She dreams of competing for Jamaica in the Olympics. “I’m thinking about it but for now I’m more focused on the World Championships to London.”

enroll in one of those top division 1 schools with a very good jumps programme”, he envisaged.

Asked to name her favourite Champs moment and she bubbles, “Well I would have to say 2015, when it all began when I won with that 5.95.” If she brings her trend of steady improvement into Champs 2017, more bright memories lie ahead.

Goburn confirmed her World Championship ambitions.

“She actually came to me and said, ‘coach, what’s the qualifying standard for the world championships?’ I turned to her and I said 6 metre 70”, he recounted. “She said, ‘well, after Champs, I want to continue working’” he told the PREVIEW, “and maybe to see if we can try to make it for the World Championships.”

“So we are hoping that she could take care of her part academically so she could maybe

7

On the corridors of Kingston College, Jhevaughn Matherson looks just like his white-shirted peers in sixth form.

Summoned to talk to the PREVIEW, this soft spoken speed merchant gives little away with his facial expression or tone of voice.

Yet, in a few moments with him, it becomes clear that there is more to him than meets the eye.

Inside the cool exterior lies a heart filled with ambition and desire. His reflection on his five trips to Boys and Girls Championships is thoughtful. “It’s been quite an interesting journey, not necessarily what I expected”, he says of a sojourn that has seen him win three individual gold medals with two of those coming in a scintillating 2013 Class 3 sprint double. “There have been a few ups and downs”, he considered “but a good five years.”

His countenance is even when he pinpoints the low point of those five years. “2015 when I got injured in the 200 metres semi-final”, he says of his last year in Class 2. He arrived there as defending 200 metre champion and as one of the favourites in the 100m but walked away with nothing. “Most importantly, we lost that Championships by 15 and a half points”, he recalls, “and I was expected to give 18 points so with that happening, that has to be the lowest point.”

For him, the high point was becoming the first Class 3 boy to break 22 in the 200 metres. He did that in 2013 with a since broken record of 21.87 seconds. As is the case with the great Usain Bolt, the 200m is Jhevaughn’s favourite event.

CALM, COOL AND AMBITIOUS

By: Hubert Lawrence

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FEATURES It’s a mild surprise that Don Quarrie, the 1976 Olympic 200m champion, is among the sprinters Matherson rates, but then he makes it easy to understand. “The 200 metres connection”, he explains, “that may be it and a lot of people always told me that I have similar traits to Donald Quarrie.”

“Because of that, I’ve always watched back his videos”, he says with obvious admiration, “and I’m really impressed by him.”

Nevertheless, he takes pride in the Class 3 sprint record he still holds, his run of 10.85 seconds in the 100m.

“To look back at all those who have come before and to know that I’m the best out of all of those athletes,” he evaluates, “it’s a great privilege to be up there with them.”

He knows fans are looking forward to his meeting with the outstanding Chris Taylor of Calabar in this year’s Class 1 200m. He is anticipating what he thinks will be ‘an exciting race.’ “I’m just hoping to go out there and do my best and hopefully I’ll get the victory”, he says in his quiet voice.

With Taylor producing fast times of 20.98 and 20.59 seconds, winning won’t be easy but Matherson, an aspiring criminal lawyer, has never been in better shape. KC head coach Neil Harrison has made him stronger with 400 metre running. The lad set a personal best of 48.56 seconds this season at the Western Relays, he logged his best ever 4x400m split time, 47 seconds flat.

“I actually do feel faster”, he surmises.

He has only run the 200m once All Time Top 100m Performances this season but has shown that in addition to increased endurance, his Name School Time speed is coming around nicely. He Zharnel Hughes Kingston College 10.12s clocked 10.25 seconds to win at the Jevaughn Minzie Bog Walk High 10.16s Carifta Trials.

Nigel Ellis

Harrison thinks the 2016 World Junior 100 metre semi-finalist could be brilliant in this event as well. “I’ve always said to him, especially my first time here at Kingston College, seeing him in training”, recounts the coach, “that he could be one of the first schoolboys to break sub-10 and I really believe that with all my heart but I think that the kind of work to get him to that area, he works hard but to go beyond that, he’s a bit afraid of the kind of pain that comes with it. If he mentally prepares himself, then that is possible.”

Perhaps that will come next year as Matherson expects to stay at Kingston College for the 2017 - 2018 school year. Then he will seek a US college scholarship to further his education. “Hopefully I’ll being doing track and field after that tenure”, he forecasts.

Harrison expects Matherson to do well at Champs. “He’s a competitor and one thing I am sure of, he’s not afraid of anybody”, Harrison says.

“He likes the limelight”, he continues, “and the limelight tends to bring out the best out of him and I think come 2017, he will make some surprise.”

Matherson’s viewpoint is typically measured. “I just want the fans to enjoy the Championships”, he says honestly. Citing what he called ‘a special vibe’ in the Kingston College camp, he says, “we think that this one will be special and personally, I view every race at Championships as the same. It’s all the same amount of points and what I personally go to Championships is to do to deliver each year.”

“He is not the Matherson of yesterday”, Harrison says. “Pretty much, he’s much more mature, much more receptive to my philosophy and my principles of coaching.” Referring specifically to the extra 400m work Matherson has done, the coach says, “this should show a significant improvement as related to his speed and speed endurance.”

Matherson, a Class 3 400 metre finalist in 2012, concurs. “With the work, “Fanfare is nice”, he concludes, “but it does show that I’ve gotten really points are even nicer.” stronger”, he agrees, “and I do feel it in

training and I do feel it in competition.”

Yohan Blake Tesfa Latty Raheem Chambers Yohan Blake Delano Williams Remaldo Rose Dexter Lee Nickel Ashmeade Nickel Ashmeade Jhevaughn Matherson Raheem Robinson Delano Williams Martin Manley Rudolph Mighty Jazeel Murphy Marvin Anderson Waseem Williams Michael O’hara

St. Elizabeth Technical St Jago High St George’s College St Jago High St Jago High Munro College Camperdown High Herbert Morrison St Jago High St Jago High Kingston College Wolmer’s Boys Munro College St Jago High Jamaica College Bridgeport High St Jago High Jamaica College Calabar High

10.18s

Year 2014 2014 2016

10.21s 10.24s 10.25s 10.27s 10.28s 10.30s 10.31s 10.34s 10.37s 10.37s 10.37s 10.37s 10.38s 10.39s 10.39s 10.40s 10.40s 10.42s

2007 2004 2016 2008 2013 2006 2009 2008 2009 2016 2014 2012 2014 1992 2012 2002 2014 2015

Winners since the start of the millennium Name Omar Brown Marvin Anderson Steve Mullings Tesfa Latty Kevin Stewart Remaldo Rose Remaldo Rose Yohan Blake Yohan Blake Dexter Lee Julian Forte Jazeel Murphy Delano Williams Delano Williams Zharnel Hughes

School Albert Town High St Jago High Vere Technical High St George’s College St George’s College Camperdown High Camperdown High St Jago High St Jago High Herbert Morrison Wolmer’s Boys Bridgeport Munro College Munro College Kingston College

Michael O’hara Nigel Ellis

Calabar High St Elizabeth Technical Calabar High

Michael O’hara

Time 10.61s 10.40s 10.55s 10.24s 10.49s 10.54s 10.30s 10.21s 10.27s 10.31s 10.49s 10.48s 10.37s 10.28s 10.12s (RECORD) 10.42s 10.18s

2015 2016

10.42s

2015

HUBERT LAWRENCE has attended Champs since 1980.

Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

9

Yohan Blake, Nickel Ashmeade, Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt

THE LAST HURRAH, A NEW ERA By: Hubert Lawrence

When Usain Bolt completed the Olympic 100m/200m double for the third time in a row in Rio di Janeiro, Brazil, the feat came at the end of an era. By contrast, when Elaine Thompson did the same thing in the same place, it seemed to herald the arrival of a new star. Together, Bolt and Thompson had garnered 4 of the six gold medals Jamaica won in Rio, a tally that equalled the haul won eight years earlier when Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce burst on to the sprint scene.

Joining Thompson in a glorious emergence was Omar McLeod, who became the first Jamaican, male or female, to win an Olympic sprint hurdles final. All three overcame adversity to run riot in Rio. Bolt, a four-time winner at Boys and Girls Champs during his days at William Knibb Memorial High School, got tripped by a hamstring injury at the National Senior Championships. The same thing happened to Thompson, who never managed to win a Champs medal when she was at Manchester High. Her old Manchester teammate McLeod had record breaking Champs 2013 as the highlight of a season when he blossomed at Kingston College. A World Indoor 60 metre hurdle win and a fast start to the outdoor season made him the Olympic 110 metre hurdles favourite until he fell twice in races before Rio.

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All three bounced back. Bolt marked the fitness register in time and ran the 100 metre field off its feet in 9.81 seconds. His win broke a two-win tie he shared with Carl Lewis of the United States who won the 100m in 1984 and 1988.

Yohan Blake’s slow return to full speed left him short of his 2012 silver medal form in fourth. A toe injury hurt Fraser-Pryce’s bid to be the first to win the women’s 100 three times. Thompson stepped into the spotlight with a super win in 10.71 seconds, with the 2-time champion blocking the pain and leaning in for third. Christania Williams, who had won the Class 1 100m at Champs for Edwin Allen in 2013, was in the final too.

A safety first approach yielded a winning time of 13.05 seconds. His heartfelt celebration was sweeter because of the confidence crushing falls he suffered in Budapest and Monaco. No one who saw him win the 110 metre hurdles and the 400 metre hurdles for Kingston College at Boys and Girls Championships in 2013 would have been surprised at his success in Rio. Thompson hit top gear to outrun World Champion Dafne Schippers in the 200m with the fastest time of the year – 21.78 seconds. The slender 24 year-old is the first successful Olympic female sprint ‘doubler’ since Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.

Rain made the track heavy for the tall man in his 200m final. Yet, he managed to crank a winning time of 19.78 seconds. Only Bolt Shericka Jackson, who like Williams was himself, Michael Johnson, Blake, Frank a winner at Champs 2013, did even better.

The former Vere Technical star first surprised Fredericks and Mike Marsh have gone herself with a personal best of 49.83 seconds quicker in the Games. Four years earlier in London, he had become the first man to in the 400 metre semi-finals. Another big win the 200m twice. In Rio, with his third run - 49.85 - nabbed the bronze in a race win, he peeled off further into the distance. where her old Carifta rival Shaunae Miller Six athletes had come to Brazil seeking of the Bahamas took the gold medal by a third consecutive gold medal in their a narrow margin over super American respective events. All the others missed.

Allyson Felix. Jackson’s UTECH training Bolt remarkably had done the treble in two partner, 2014 Commonwealth champion individual events.

Stephennie McPherson was sixth in the final.

Though there were no more individual medals, Jamaica showed itself to be a With Bolt and Thompson primed for the world power in the 400 metre hurdles.

200m, McLeod made his own bit of history.

Ristananna Tracey, who set the Champs record wearing Edwin Allen blue in 2011, led a Jamaican trio into the final. US schooled Leah Nugent was a fine 6th with Janieve Russell, who succeeded Tracey as high school gold medallist while she was at Holmwood, beating injury to get to the final and to place 7th. Tracey and Nugent logged personal best times of 54.15 and 54.55 seconds in the final.

Nine years before the Rio Games, Annsert Whyte finished third in the Champs Class 1 400m for Clan Carty High. In Rio, he wasn’t far away from

2014 Commonwealth Games 100m winner, taking gold for the second Olympics in a row for running the anchor leg in the heats.

Asafa Powell, Blake, 100m and 200m semifinalist Nickel Ashmeade and Bolt did the business in the final in 37.27 seconds.

FEATURES L-R:Veronica Campbell-Brown, Elaine Thompson, Christania Williams, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Cousins Simone Facey and Sashalee Forbes, who ran at Champs 2015 for Holmwood, set the ladies 4x100m team on its way to the final, with Williams, Thompson, Veronica Campbell-Brown and Fraser-Pryce getting second place in the final.

Anniesha McLaughlin and Jackson shone in the ladies 4x400m. McLaughlin is one of the most successful athletes in Champs history. Fourteen years after her World Junior 200 metre silver medal performance, ‘Annie’ sparkled in her Olympic debut. A strong 50.2 second leg and solid contributions from Christine Day and Chris-Ann Gordon eased them into the final where she zoomed her 400 metre stint in 49.8 seconds.

Jackson was even faster with a 49.5 second blast on the third leg.

McPherson, McLaughlin, Jackson and experienced Novlene Williams-Mills placed second overall.

The men’s 4x400m team matched that.

Peter Matthews, a Champs Class 1 800 metre gold medallist for Decarteret College in 2009, Nathon Allen, Fitzroy Dunkley and Javon Francis ran smoothly joining to the silver. Their effort contained a trio of milestones. Matthews and Dunkley, Winthrop Graham and Danny McFarlane a former Jamaica College combination as Olympic medal winners for Jamaica in jumper, won the first ever Olympic medals the 400 metre hurdles. His times – 48.37/ for their high schools and Allen matched heat, 48.32/semi and 48.07 for fifth in the legendary baton genius Davian Clarke and final – show that he peaked perfectly. All Francis with the fastest 4x400m leg ever three established new personal bests. Those by a Jamaican with his whirlwind 43.5 third numbers and his determined rise are a huge leg in the heats. Francis, a three-time Class source of inspiration. Young Jaheel Hyde, 1 400m champion for Calabar High School twice a winner in the Champs 400 hurdles at Champs, sped through his anchor leg in for Wolmer’s Boys and twice World Junior 43.8 seconds. champion, rode his Olympic debut to the semi-final round but no further. Barring The total medal haul of 6 gold, 3 silvers and calamities, great days lay ahead for Hyde.

2 bronzes paralleled the all-time high first attained at the 2008 Olympics where Bolt Disappointingly, the 60 strong Jamaican and Fraser-Pryce came to prominence.

Olympic contingent produced only 3 other With Bolt announcing that Rio was his last finalists, O’Dayne Richards in the shot, Olympics and others like 5-time Olympian Kimberly Williams in the triple jump and Campbell-Brown, and Bolt’s colleagues like Damar Forbes in the long jump.

4-timers Williams-Mills and Powell perhaps likely to follow suit, it was hard to escape a Happily, the Games ended with Jamaica feeling that these familiar faces won’t return winning a medal in each of the 4 relays and when the Games open in Tokyo in 2020. gold for Bolt in the 4x100m. Jevaughn Luckily, Thompson, McLeod, Jackson, Minzie, a 2015 Champs 200 metre winner Williams, Allen, Tracey, Hyde, Russell, for Bog Walk, gave the team a good start Minzie and Francis should take Jamaica in the heats with Kemar Bailey-Cole, the safely into a new era of gold.

Omar McLeod

Janieve Russell

O’Dayne Richards

Anneisha McLaughlin

11

Zinedine Russell Shian Salmon

Aiko Jones

JAMAICA DOMINATES CARIFTA...

AGAIN

L-R: Jehvaugn Matherson,

Christopher Taylor,

Dejour Russell,

Michael Stephens

By: Oliver ‘Elmo’ Harris

Photos: Team Jamaica

T

he 45th edition of the annual Carifta Games was held on the spice island of Grenada. Jamaica was expected to dominate the meet with stars like World Youth Gold medallist Christopher Taylor and Boys’ & Girls’ Champs stars – 400 metre prodigy, Akeem Bloomfield and Junelle Bromfield. The rest of the region also had their own stars – Yanis David of Guadeloupe and Suriname’s Miguel Van Assen who had both won Youth Olympic gold medals in the triple jump, while Khalifa St. Fort of Trinidad and Tobago had recently won the World Youth silver medal in the 100 metres.

The host country of Grenada had their own stars in javelin throwers Anderson Peters and Candesha Scott, who were perennial winners at the Carifta Games.

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As was expected, Jamaica topped the medal count, winning 42 gold medals. The top challengers were the Bahamas and Barbados who both won 6 gold medals.

Although Jamaica dominated the meet, the top performers were athletes from other countries. Grenadian Peters broke Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott’s Carifta javelin record of 77.59 metres by throwing 78.28 metres. This performance allowed him to win the Austin Sealy Award, an honour given to the most outstanding athlete of the Games. Just as spectacular was Jonathan Jones of Barbados who won the 800 and 1500 metres in the U18 category, breaking both records. He first ran 3 minutes 57.19 seconds in the 1500M, breaking the 4:00.04 record set by Jamaica’s Theon O’Connor in

2007 and then ran an unbelievable 1:49.88 in the 800m, becoming the first U18 Carifta athlete to break the 1:50 and 4:00 barriers in the 800 and 1500 metres.

Five Jamaican athletes broke individual Carifta records, with throwers Warren Barrett, Zico Campbell and Phillip Barnett leading the way. Barrett broke Ashinia Miller’s U20 shot put record of 19.47 metres when he threw 19.97 metres, while Campbell was just as impressive in the U18 category throwing 17.75 metres. Barnett decimated the U18 discus record of 54.41 metres set by Vashon McCarthy in 2014, when he threw the implement 60.44 metres. Shannon Kalawan broke fellow Jamaican Camille Robinson’s long standing U20 400M hurdles

FEATURES

Akeem Bloomfield Stacy-Ann Williams

Lamara Distin Shian Salmon record of 56.61 set in 2003, when she ran 56.20, while multi-talented Shian Salmon fresh from winning the U18 high jump title, went on to lower the U18 400 metre hurdles record to 59.50 seconds.

Jamaica concluded its record breaking performances by breaking the U18 4x100 metre relay record. Jamaica actually won all the sprint and 4x400 metre relays, but their record run in the U18 sprint relay was something to behold. An all-star cast of 400 metre gold medallist Christopher Taylor, 100 metre silver medallist Dejour Russell, 200 metre gold medallist Michael Stephens and 100 metre gold medallist Jhevaughn Matherson ran 40.40 to break the 40.52 record set the previous year by Jamaica.

The other record breakers at the meet included Scott of Grenada who broke the U20 Javelin record while Tyriq Horsford of Trinidad and Tobago extended his own U18 boys record of 70.73 metres to 73.00 metres. U20 triple jump record holder David of Guadeloupe recovered from last year’s disappointment when she lost the triple jump title to Jamaican Tamara Moncrieffe. She easily won the triple jump event and proceeded to break the U20 long jump record with a leap of 6.48 metres.

There were six athletes who won two individual gold medals. Apart from David, Jones and Salmon who were all record breakers, the Jamaicans Cemore Donald and Shevon Parkes were also double gold medal winners. Both won the 800m/1500m

double in their respective U18 female and U20 male categories. Sada Williams of Barbados was the U20 200m and 400m winner. She was, however, denied the 200M record when she ran a blistering 22.70, a shade faster than Shaunae Miller’s record of 22.77 seconds. Unfortunately for the swift Barbadian, the wind speed of 2.4 metres per second was above the legal limit.

The region has been quite successful in producing world class athletes like Yohan Blake, Kirani James, Keshorn Walcott, Obadele Thompson of Barbados and Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas. The 2016 Carifta Games continued the trend as a number of the Carifta stars went on to be successful at the 2016 World Under-20 Championships.

13

Penn Relays 2017 Review

By: Hubert Lawrence

Photo:Joseph Cornwall

Jamaican fans had lots to cheer about at the 122nd staging of the world renowned Penn Relays.

Kingston College, Jamaica College and St Jago High School delivered big relay wins on the boys side.

The Edwin Allen Comprehensive High School girls did a neat 4x100m/4x400m double.

FEATURES

For all the fast action on the track, the biggest Jamaican star was Shanice Love of Excelsior. She continued a dream season with a national junior record of 54.72 metres to win the discus. Not only did she add to a mark of 54.66 she established two weeks earlier, Love also broke the Penn Relays meet record held by former Holmwood thrower Gleneve Grange. That event was one of six individuals wins

by Jamaican student-athletes visiting Franklin Field – the venue of the world renowned relay carnival.

One of those wins, the success for Rayan Holmes of Edwin Allen in the 400 metre hurdles, was sweet redemption. Holmes fell ill at Boys and Girls Championships at the start of the final and was taken from the track. At Penn, he won in 52.47 seconds.

4x100m

BOYS

With Akeem Bloomfield speeding on the second leg, Kingston College equalled the record of 39.63 seconds set by Calabar in much warmer weather the previous year. Shivnarine Smalling, Bloomfield and Jevaughn Matherson gave Tyreke Bryan a big lead and he didn’t yield. Calabar finished second in a fine time of 39.89 seconds. KC, Calabar, JC, Wolmer’s Boys and St Jago are the only school to go below 40 in Penn Relays history.

GIRLS: Patrice Moody and Shellece Clark zoomed the middle legs to gain victory for Edwin Allen in 45.73 seconds.

4x400m

BOYS With Bloomfield cautiously skipping this one with injury worries, Jamaica College created a stunning upset in 3 minutes 12.34 seconds. Maleik Smith and Michael Campbell kept the Old Hope ‘Roaders’ close before Devaughn Baker broke the race open with a 47.3 sprint on the third leg. Calabar’s World Youth Champion Christopher Taylor could not catch JC anchorman Phillip Lemonios. KC finished 8th.

GIRLS Janiel Moore, Davia Smith and 400 metre hurdles runner-up Shannon Kalawan of Edwin Allen put Moody in the hunt for first place in a battle with Holmwood’s Ashley Williams. The battle ended with a bump and a fall for the unlucky Williams. Moody was left to hold off the fast closing Junelle Bromfield of STETHS whose split was a noteworthy 52.7 seconds. The winning time for Edwin Allen was 3 minutes 40.88 seconds.

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS GIRLS Discus – Shanice Love, Excelsior: NJR 54.72 Long Jump – Tissana Hickling, St Jago: 5.86 metres

4x800m

BOYS St Jago reversed its Gibson-McCook Relay loss to STETHS with a school record 7 minutes 33.71 seconds.

That’s the 4th fastest time in Penn Relays history. Eric McKenzie, Joel John-Pierre, Keenan Lawrence, and Leon Clarke did the business for St Jago.

GIRLS Holmwood and Edwin Allen were the only Jamaican schools in this final and they finished third and fifth respectively.

BOYS High Jump – Clayton Brown, JC: 2.12 metres Triple Jump – O’Brien Wasome, JC: 16.91 metres Discus Throw – Kino Dunkley, Munro: 57.89 metres 400 metre hurdles – Rayan Holmes, Edwin Allen: 52.47 seconds

15

By: Glenroy Morgan

T

he curtains came down on the 106th edition of Champs, signalling the end of another enthralling display of talents and at times raw guts and determination from athletes of the competing schools, inside the National Stadium. Calabar High School returned to its old stomping ground and successfully defended their ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships title registering their 26th hold on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy, the symbol of supremacy in local high school athletics. In a clinical display of sheer athletic prowess, the green and black clad boys easily outscored their arch rivals, Kingston College, to amass 287.5 points. KC with 238 points finished in second position followed by Jamaica College with 229.5 points and St Jago with 177 points. With this victory, the Red Hills Road based school is a mere five victories adrift of Kingston College with 31 overall. In the process, the school has sent the clearest signal yet that they will not be relinquishing the title they have won since 2012.

Calabar’s Christopher Taylor, conditioned by fifteen-time victorious Champs coach, Michael Clarke, became the toast of the Championships, securing four individual and relay gold medals combined. So star-spangled awesome was Taylor’s performances, they erased three records, which came in the Class Two 200m, 400m and sprint relays. It brings to five the number of records he currently holds at Champs, which includes his Class Three 400m record set in 2014 and his school’s mile relay record set in 2015. Taylor, carrying a huge weight of expectations, energized the Calabar base as he has done multiple www.TeamJA.org

times at Champs evoking a cacophony of deep belly screams and sounds from vuvuzelas.

Day Two Highlights The defending champions started Champs noticeably slow particularly after yielding grounds to both KC and JC in the Class One and Two long jumps as well as the 2000m Steeple Chase event.

This all too familiar predicament has caused jitters among their spectators at recent Championships. Their two perennial rivalling schools produced gold medallists in the long jumps, while their jumpers flamed out in unexpected fashions. KC’s Yashawn Hamilton leapt 7.01m to win in Class Two, a few hours before Obrien Wasome led the way in Class One for JC with a creditable leap of 7.50m. Thaleetio Green of St Jago High posted 5:53.14s to lead three athletes under the record of 5:59.20s set

by Obrien Frith of Holmwood Technical in 2014. At the conclusion of the first day at Champs 2016, Calabar trailed the leaders by double digits.

Day Three Highlights By the end of day three, the top three schools had separated themselves from the rest, as Champs began to take a more discernible shape. JC raced to the lead with 55 points, followed by KC with 46 points and Calabar with 33 points. On this day, Petersfield High School showcased what is becoming their burgeoning strength in the throws events, with two creditable performances. Daniel Cope competing in the Class Two Shot Put registered a massive throw of 16.81m to win the event. It was followed by another victory gained by his team mate, Sanjae Lawrence, who captured the Class One Discus with a heave of 53.90m.

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@JamaicaOlympics

As a firm indicator that the balance of power is gradually shifting, two more gold medals went to non-traditional schools on the day. Herbert Morrison’s pair of Antonio Hanson and Javier Hall finished ahead of the field in that order in the Class Three High Jump, both clearing 1.85m to defeat an out of sort Lemar Reid, the defending champion and record holder from Calabar. The Decathlon event went to Marcus Brown of Morant Bay High, who amassed 6781 points. Having captured the bronze medal in the event last year, Brown went two notches higher this time around.

A noteworthy performance came in the Open Pole Vault event, when Dean Smith vaulted 4.20m to give Jamaica College their 3rd straight title in this event.

Day Four Highlights Two records highlighted the performances on day four of Champs.

The first came in the 1500m Class Two when St Jago’s Keenon Lawrence having only the clock to race against, produced a sizzling time of 3:57.28s to erase Kemoy Campbell’s nine-year-old mark of 3:58.08s set in 2007. The time was also faster than Shevan Parkes’ gold medal performance of 4:01.18s in the Class One event. The 1500m for Class Three was episodic from the stand point that coming into Champs, there was much suspense-filled anxiety over the health of favourites, Kevroy Venson and Rivaldo Marshall. The Calabar duo fortuitously overcame bouts of illnesses in time to deliver the maximum 16 points, in a 1-2 finish in the event.

Obrien Wasome was responsible for the other record on the day after he @TeamJamaica

17

Akeem Bloomfield

registered 16.39m in the Class One Triple Jump to cancel the old mark of 16.04m set by his team mate, Clayton Brown, at Champs 2015. The performances in the 100m races sparkled as expected.

The diminutive St Elizabeth Technical’s Sachin Dennis, arguably one of the best kept secrets entering Champs, turned in a workman-like victory in a fast 10.90s.

The graceful Michael Stevens showed deceptive speed to stop the clock in 10.48s to mine gold for Calabar in the Class Two version. Dennis’ team mate and the revelation of the 2016 season, Nigel Ellis, powered his way to the 3rd best Champs’ time in history, now ranked only behind KC’s Zarnel Hughes (10.12s) and Bog Walk’s Jevaughn Minzie (10.16s). As the battle for Championships’ honour intensified, JC surged to the front with 103, a mere 2 points ahead of their North Street rivals and 9 points ahead of the defending champions, Calabar.

Day Five Highlights The final day of Champs produced the usual fireworks as a few of the favourites completed double events, as more records tumbled.

Dejour Russell of Calabar claimed a record in the Class Two 110m hurdles in 13.45s on his way to Champs glory. Also, Calabar Class Two Sprint Relay quartet was on fire when they totally decimated JC’s record, adjusting it from 40.54s to 40.29s. KC’s Shantamoi Brown cemented his double on Champs’ final day as well, when he easily defeated the field in the Class Three 400m and 800m, delivering a time www.TeamJA.org

TeamJamaica

Nigel Ellis of 50.07s and 2:05.47s respectively. Keenon Lawrence got in on the action and secured the 800m gold to add to his 1500m win in Class Two. His teammate, Green, followed up on his steeple chase gold with another in the 5000m.

Nigel Ellis completed the sprint double when he bagged the Class One 200m gold medal with a time of 20.76s. Calabar’s wunderkind, Christopher Taylor, nailed the gruelling 400m and 200m double on Champs’ final day in anti-climactic fashions posting 21.24s and 47.76s respectively. Earlier in the preliminary rounds he had erased both records in 20.80s and 46.33s. KC’s interest in surpassing Calabar on points trailed off long before the mile relays.

This paved the way for a confident Taylor, who returned not only to run smart but stouthearted on the anchor leg in the mile relays.

Benefitting from a 15-20 metres lead, he bided his time before entrapping the onrushing Class One 400m winner, Akeem Bloomfield, to pilot a pulsating victory for Calabar. In the end the team from Red Hills Road notched their fifth consecutive hold on the trophy with 287.50 points. They were followed by KC on 238 points, JC on 229.5 points and St. Jago on 177 points.

100M CLASS I

Ellis romps to the 3rd best mark in the Championships’ history.

1. Nigel Ellis (St.ETHS) 10.18 2. Raheem Chambers (St.J.) 10.25 3. Jhevaughn Matherson (K.C.) 10.35 4. Micheal Campbell (J.C.) 10.43 5. Shivnarine Smalling (K.C.) 10.45 6. Fabian Hewitt (C.H.S.) 10.56 7. Xavior Angus (C.H.S.) 10.65 8. Hujaye Cornwall (St.ETHS) 10.92

@JamaicaOlympics

@TeamJamaica

200M CLASS I

Here Ellis cruises unchallenged in under 21.00 seconds.

1. Nigel Ellis (St.ETHS) 20.76 2. Xavior Angus(C.H.S.) 21.24 3. Micheal Campbell (J.C.) 21.53 4. Shivnarine Smalling (K.C.) 21.60 5. Fabian Hewitt (C.H.S.) 21.74 6. Tyreke Bryan (K.C.) 21.79 7. Andel Miller (XLCR) 21.89 8. Hujaye Cornwall (St.ETHS) DNF

400M CLASS I

After posting a World Junior Record at Champs 2015, Bloomfield restrains but still manages a facile victory.

1. Akeem Bloomfield (K.C.) 46.12 2. Collin Sewell (St.J.) 47.51 3. Aykeeme Francis (C.H.S.) 47.66 4. Marco Doodnaughtsingh (K.C.) 48.04 5. Anthony Carpenter (C.H.S.) 48.55 6. Devaughn Baker (J.C.) 49.00 7. Shemar Chambers (St.G.C.) 49.15 8. Sean Bailey (St.J.) 50.17

800M CLASS I

Brown eludes a stacked field that toys its way to an unspectacular time.

1. Nathan Brown (XLCR) 1:55.21 2. Leon Clarke (St.J.) 1:55.43 3. Jauavney James (St.ETHS) 1:55.44 4. Shevan Parks (Belle.) 1:55.59 5. Shadane Chambers (Peters.) 1:59.04 6. Akeen Colley (Rusea’s) 2:01.05 7. Javon taye Williams (C.H.S.) 2:03.68 8. Rogay Granston (Holm.) 2:04.25

1500M CLASS I

Parks prevails after a tactical and intelligent run.

1. Shevan Parks (Belle.)

4:01.18 2. Javon taye Williams (C.H.S.) 4:02.28 3. Kajay Walker (Holm.)

4:02.76 4. Kristoff Darby (K.C.) 4:03.99 5. Akeen Colley (Rusea’s) 4:04.76 6. Nathan Brown (XLCR) 4:04.78 7. Leon Clarke (St. J.) 4:04.92 8. Orville Dixon (C.H.S.) 4:05.96

Michael Stephens

110M HURDLES CLASS I

Finally Selvin triumphs after playing bridesmaid to Michael O’Hara at previous Champs.

1. Seanie Selvin (C.H.S.) 14.05 2. Tyrone Bryan (C.H.S.) 14.16 3. Phillip Lemonios (J.C.) 14.33 4. Philip Beckford (K.C.) 14.42 5. Orlando Smith (K.C.) 14.54 6. Calvin Williams (XLCR) 14.79 7. Timor Barrett (St. J.) 14.93 8. Roger Walters (Mona) 15.00

4 X 100M CLASS I

JC was awarded gold. KC was first past the post in 39.87s but was disqualified.

1. Jamaica College 40.24 2. St. Jago 40.81 3. Garvey Maceo 41.93 4. St. Catherine 42.12 5. Herbert Morrison 42.18 6. Kingston College DQ 7. Calabar DQ

HIGH JUMP CLASS I

Brown justified making the cover of the Champs Preview.

1. Clayton Brown (J.C.) 2.16m 2. Romario Douglas (St.J.) 2.10m 3. Lushane Wilson (St.J.) 2.05m 4. Trevaughn Brown (K.C.) 2.05m 5. Gabriel Allen (C.H.S.) 2.05m 6. Leroy Paige (C.H.S.) 2.00m 7. Ogarry Martin (Ard.) 2.00m 7. Kobe-Jordan Rhooms (C.C.) 2.00m

LONG JUMP CLASS I

Wasome ensured JC captured all jumps in Class One and Open events.

1. Obrien Wasome (J.C.) 7.50m 2. Shown-d Thompson (St.J.) 7.27m 3. Shammawi Wellington (K.C.) 7.23m 4. Dameon Creary (K.C.) 7.16m 5. Jordan Scott (Cn.C.) 7.13m 6. Paketo Dudley (J.C.) 7.06m 7. Jonathan Smith (XLCR) 6.82m 8. Ryan Brown (OldH.) 6.72m

www.TeamJA.org

Obrien Wasome TRIPLE JUMP CLASS I

Wasome defends title but ensured he rewrote the record books this time around.

1. Obrien Wasome (J.C.) 16.39m (R) 2. Javier Lowe (C.H.S.) 16.10m 3. Jordan Scott (Cn.C.) 15.94m 4. Clayton Brown (J.C.) 15.62m 5. Tevin Dunn (Munro) 14.79m 6. Shown-d Thompson (St.J.) 14.76m 7. Ryan Brown (OldH.) 14.63m 8. Gabriel Allen (C.H.S.) 14.50m

Seanie Selvin 200M CLASS II

Dejour Russell 110M HURDLES CLASS II

After his record breaking 20.80s in the prelims, Taylor cantered to victory.

1. Christopher Taylor (C.H.S.) 21.24 2. Dejour Russell (C.H.S.) 21.38 3. Gary Gordon (St.J.) 22.09 4. Chislon Gordon (J.C.) 22.42 5. Xavier Nairne (Wol.) 22.56 6. Javad Black (St.J.) 22.56 7. Colby Jennings (J.C.) 22.96 8. Javier Johnson (Gr.Is.) 23.08

Russell showed he owned the event and now owns the record.

1. Dejour Russell (C.H.S.) 13.45(R) 2. Oquendo Bernard (J.C.) 14.18 3. Orlando Bennett (C.H.S) 14.22 4. Wayne Pinnock (K.C.) 14.40 5. Lloyd Facey Jr. (Mona) 14.58 6. Jeremy Farr (Wol.) 14.73 7. Kimarley Myers (St.ETHS) 14.73 8. Dashinelle Dyer (St.ETHS) 14.80

400M CLASS II

4 X 100M CLASS II

Another record went in the prelims The unstoppable quartet decimated SHOT PUT CLASS I curtesy of Taylor’s 46.33s; He the record.

Calabar occupied the first two spots 40.29(R) defended his 200m/400m double 1. Calabar in a very talented field.

2.

Kingston College

41.58 successfully.

1. Kyle Mitchell (C.H.S.) 19.27m 42.08 1. Christopher Taylor (C.H.S.) 47.76 3. Jamaica College 2. Warren Barrett (C.H.S.) 19.08m 42.36 2. Brandon Heath (C.H.S.) 48.03 4. Wolmer’s 3. Vashon McCarthy (J.C.) 18.14m 5.

St. George’s 42.36 3. Romel Plummer (Munro) 48.43 4. Kino Dunkley (Munro) 18.14m 42.52 4. Jevaughn Powell (Ed.Al.) 49.11 6. Excelsior 7.

Munro College 42.79 5. Sanjae Lawrence (Peters.) 18.06m 5. Anthony Cox (St.J.) 49.14 43.75 6. Kevin Nedrick (Peters.) 17.83m 6. Javad Black (St.J.) 49.70 8. Rusea’s 7. Rasheeda Downer (K.C.) 16.07m 7. Colby Jennings (J.C.) 50.34 HIGH JUMP CLASS II 8. Vikarie Elliott (Munro) 15.68m 8. Dashinelle Dyer (St.ETHS) 50.41 Nelson came up big when it mattered most.

DISCUS CLASS I 800M CLASS II 1. Shane Nelson (K.C.) 2.00m Lawrence spoiled the party as Lawrence rounded off a fine double 2. Andrew Betton (C.H.S.) 2.00m Petersfield continued to rise. in style.

3. Damar Marshall (St.J.) 1.95m 1. Sanjae Lawrence (Peters.) 53.90m 1. Keenan Lawrence (St.J.) 1:54.84 4. Malik Cunningham (J.C.) 1.95m 2. Phillipe Barnett (XLCR) 53.78m 2. Anthony Cox (St.J.) 1:56.60 5. Kadain Roper (BBay) 1.90m 3. Warren Barrett (C.H.S.) 52.88m 3. Dugion Blackman (J.C.) 1:56.65 6. Horatio Humphrey (BBay) 1.90m 4. Kino Dunkley (Munro) 52.78m 4. Kimar Farquharson (C.H.S.) 1:57.71 7. Alexander Thompson (St.G.C.)1.90m 5. Kevin Nedrick (Peters.) 49.84m 5. Dwight Mason (St.ETHS) 1:58.32 8. Demar Sayles (Ard.) 1.90m 6. Malik Lynch (Wol.) 49.76m 6. Brandon Phillips (C.C.) 1:59.47 7. Vashon McCarthy (J.C.) 48.89m 7. Tarees Rhoden (K.C.) 2:07.90 LONG JUMP CLASS II 8. Vikarie Elliott (Munro) 48.67m 8. Cavvelle Beckles (J.C.) DQ Hamilton gave KC 9 points in a closely 100M CLASS II contested competition.

1500M CLASS II Stephens upstaged his teammate in 1. Yashawn Hamilton (K.C.) 7.01m one of five quinellas achieved by the Kemoy Campbell’s record exited the 2. Joel Morgan (XLCR) 6.95m books after Lawrence’s chase.

Red Hills Road boys.

3.

Kristoffe Clifford (C.H.S.) 6.87m 3:57.28(R) 1. Michael Stephens (C.H.S.) 10.48 1. Keenan Lawrence (St.J.) 4. Safin Wills (J.C.) 6.80m 2.

Detroy Stewart (J.C.) 4:07.04 2. Dejour Russell (C.H.S.) 10.54 3. Dwayne Moore (Spald.)

4:07.58 5. Michael Stephens (C.H.S.) 6.79m 3. Chislon Gordon (J.C.) 10.77 6.76m 4. Jordan Simpson (Gar.Mac.) 4:12.48 6. Shacquille Lowe (K.C.) 4. Gary Gordon (St.J.) 10.87 7.

Micah Wellington (J.C.) 6.67m 5.

Kimar Farquharson (C.H.S.) 4:12.73 5. Yashawn Hamilton (K.C.) 10.87 6.53m 6. Rushane Fullerton (Munro) 4:12.82 8. Owayn Owens (C.C.) 6. Andre Edwards (Munro) 10.94 7. Renardo Johnson (St.J.) 4:15.70 7. Xavier Nairne (Wol.) 11.07 8. Romar Scott (Peters.)

4:16.61 8. Malik Shepherd (Wol.) 11.11

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19

Sachin Dennis

Antonio Watson

SHOT PUT CLASS II

Cope dominated as Petersfield marauding presence persisted.

1. Daniel Cope (Peters.)

6.81m 2. Cobe Graham (Mead.)

16.22m 3. Courtney Lawrence (Peters.)15.62m 4. Cee-jay Moreally (J.C.) 14.92m 5. Damario Mauslby (Camp.) 14.84m 6. Mikhail Dias (C.C.) 13.90m 7. Travis Robinson (J.C.) 13.89m 8. Nathan Reid (C.C.) 13.74m

200M CLASS III

retained 14.53m 14.41m 14.35m 14.32m 14.06m 14.04m 13.95m 13.71m

Williams used speed over the hurdles to good effect.

1. Davion Williams (K.C.) 2. Schavon Carr (C.H.S.) 3. Warren Henlon (St.ETHS) 4. Tyrone Barnes (St.ETHS) 5. Tahjay Adams (Wol.) 6. Clinton Simmonds (St.J.) 7. Cardo Bailey (J.C.) 8. Horatio Craig (C.H.S.)

400M CLASS III

To the victors went the spoils.

1. St. Elizabeth Technical 2. Kingston College 3. Wolmer’s 4. Calabar 5. St. Jago 6. Jamaica College 7. William Knibb 8. Herbert Morrison

Brown’s first of two wins on Saturday, final day of Champs.

1. Shanthamoi Brown (K.C.) 50.07 2. Devante Heywood (Munro) 50.92 3. Daniel Binns (H.M.) 51.48 4. Jahari Taylor (Wol.) 51.64 5. Zidane Brown (Glen.)

51.64 6. Cjay Whyte (Rhodes) 51.69 7. Devontie Archer (XLCR) 53.62 8. Chander-Paul Dehaney (Munro) 55.54

DISCUS CLASS II

800M CLASS III

A victory for Cope lock, stock and barrel.

1. Daniel Cope (Peters.)

52.65m 2. Akeem Green (C.H.S.) 45.88m 3. Travis Robinson (J.C.) 45.53m 4. Cee-jay Moreally (J.C.) 43.25m 5. Cobe Graham (Mead.)

42.11m 6. Christopher Brown (Peters.) 41.30m 7. Jahleel Jolly (C.H.S.) 40.81m 8. Chavar Williams (Cl.C.) 39.80m

Here he easily handled his rivals.

1. Shanthamoi Brown (K.C.) 2:05.47 2. Jevana Edwards (St.J.) 2:06.12 3. Jordan Anderson (D.Q.) 2:06.44 4. Kirk Stewart (K.C.) 2:06.89 5. Clayon Cooper (St.M.H.) 2:07.12 6. David Martin (St.ETHS) 2:11.36 7. Malik Ricketts (J.C.) 2:14.12 8. Cjay Whyte (Rhodes) 2:14.57

100M CLASS III

1500M CLASS III

Another diminutive speedball for the future.

1. Sachin Dennis (St.ETHS) 10.90 2. Thiea Shea (Wol.) 11.09 3. Shemar Willis (Pap.) 11.13 4. Terrique Stennett (K.C.) 11.27 5. Conroy Jones (St.ETHS) 11.37 6. Alexavier Monfries (H.M.) 11.40 7. Shakur Williams (Mead.) 11.43 8. Javari Thomas (J.Grant) 11.57

20

100M HURDLES CLASS III

Watson added a gold medal on the track to balance Petersfield’s success in the throws.

1. Antonio Watson (Peters.) 22.61 2. Sachin Dennis (St.ETHS) 22.81 3. Rahyme Christian (Cl.C.) 22.92 4. Thiea Shea (Wol.) 22.97 5. Shemar Willis (Pap.) 23.43 6. Andre Bent (Wm.Kn.) 23.56 7. Shakur Williams (Mead.) 23.56 8. Davion Williams (K.C.) 24.96

TRIPLE JUMP CLASS II

JC is denied a quinella but title.

1. Malik Cunningham (J.C.) 2. Owayne Owens (C.C.) 3. Safin Wills (J.C.) 4. Kristoffe Clifford (C.H.S.) 5. Terrol Wilson (K.C.) 6. Ricardo Clarke (C.H.S.) 7. Joel Morgan (XLCR) 8. Recardo Jackson (St.J.)

Jauavney James

Shanthamoi Brown

Venson and Marshall shrugged off disappointment in earlier half mile qualifiers to go 1-2 in the 1500m.

1. Kevroy Venson (C.H.S.) 4:27.56 2. Rivaldo Marshall (C.H.S.) 4:30.69 3. Jumaine Briscoe (K.C.) 4:33.88 4. Henry Nelson (Kell.)

4:38.80 5. Giovouni Henry (K.C.) 4:40.61 6. Adrian Whyte (Peters.)

4:47.76 7. Ronaldo Farquharson (Holm.) 4:49.72 8. Dane McGowan (J.C.) 4:51.55

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5000M OPEN

13.62 13.89 13.94 13.99 14.11 14.48 14.55 14.56

Green ended his Champs career with a well-deserved victory.

1. Thaleetio Green (St.J.) 15:56.41 2. Shane Buchanan (K.C.) 15:58.16 3. Garfield Gordon (Mav.B.) 16:08.74 4. Kyle Morgan (St.J.) 16:10.86 5. Orville Dixon (C.H.S.) 16:11.83 6. Romar Mundle (Belle.) 16:37.62 7. Kajay Walker (Holm.) 16:43.03 8. DeTroy Stewart (J.C.) 16:43.34

43.39 43.40 43.59 43.98 44.63 44.96 45.33 DQ

James used his inimitable versatility to land gold.

1. Jauavney James (St.ETHS) 51.09 2. Orlando Smith (K.C.) 51.85 3. Timor Barrett (St.J.) 52.10 4. Sherwayne Allen (K.C.) 52.58 5. Maleik Smith (J.C.) 53.24 6. Aykeeme Francis (C.H.S.) 55.60 7. Phillip Lemonios (J.C.) 56.41

4 X 100M CLASS III

400M HURDLES OPEN

HIGH JUMP CLASS III

4 X 400M OPEN

Bronze medal went to the defending champion and record holder as Herbert Morrison sizzled with Hall and Hanson.

1. Antonio Hanson (H.M.) 1.85m 2. Javeir Hall (H.M.) 1.85m 3. Lamar Reid (C.H.S.) 1.75m 4. Leroy McCourty (K.C.) 1.75m 5. Apalos Edwards (J.C.) 1.70m 6. Chadane Brown (St.J.) 1.70m 7. Jordan-Nicholai Brown (J.C.) 1.65m 7. Corey Ottey (C.H.S.) 1.65m

Christopher Taylor outfoxed Akeem Bloomfield in an epic anchor leg show piece.

1. Calabar 3:09.77 2. Kingston College 3:10.26 3. Jamaica College 3:15.06 4. St. Jago 3:15.66 5. Edwin Allen 3:17.15 6. Greater Portmore 3:17.19 7. Munro 3:17.74 8. Spaldings 3:22.01

LONG JUMP CLASS III

The Medley Relays capped a successful Championship for STETHS. 1. St. Elizabeth Technical 3:30.10 2. Manchester 3:30.92 3. Excelsior 3:31.33 4. Jamaica College 3:31.38 5. Calabar 3:31.89 6. Kingston College 3:37.26 7. Holmwood Technical 3:42.58 8. Edwin Allen DNF

The largely unknown Segree surprised favourites.

1. Tyreek Segree (Munro) 2. Michael Allen (K.C.) 3. John-mark Rainford (J.C.) 4. Kavian Kerr (St.J.) 5. Alexavier Monfries (H.M.) 6. Jai Lewin (J.C.) 7. Davion Williams (K.C.) 8. Lamar Reid (C.H.S.)

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1600M MEDLEY OPEN

6.40m 6.35m 6.29m 6.24m 6.20m 6.16m 6.14m 5.79m

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Adrian Mitchell

Christopher Taylor POLE VAULT OPEN

Smith continued JC’s dynasty.

1. Dane Smith (J.C.)

4.20m 2. Michael Williams (XLCR) 3.70m 3. Akeem Kerr (J.C.) 3.50m 4. Jay-Austin Brooks (K.C.) 3.30m 5. Jevaughn Parchment (C.H.S.) 3.20m 6. Phillipe Barnett (XLCR) 3.10m 7. Dale Dacosta (Wol.) 3.00m

Summary

DECATHLON OPEN

Brown’s victory came with solid performances.

1. Marcus Brown (Mt.B.) 6781pts 2. Amaudo O’Connor (BBay) 6649pts.

3. Asani Hylton (Rhodes) 6517pts.

4. Woodens Corvil (J.C.) 6230pts.

5. Lafranze Campbell (C.H.S.) 6170pts.

6. Donovan Thames (K.C.) 5952pts.

7. Amario Ferron (Hyd.) 5789pts.

8. Stavin Brown (Musch.) 5769pts.

Champs 2016 lived up to its expectations for a variety of reasons. It delivered the usual keen competitions, which gave the spectators ‘bang for their bucks’. It also showcased the deep talents that abound in our high school athletics and blurs the line that separates the quality of performances between the urban schools and that of their rural counterparts. As more qualified coaches are deployed across the island, we are seeing a clearer picture of the receding dominance of the traditional schools across a wide spectrum of events. Petersfield High School’s success in the throwing events in recent years is a prime testament of how a school’s administration can take an athletic discipline by the scruff of its neck and be a force to be reckoned with in it, relatively quickly. Hopefully this will infuse a greater sense of urgency in the stakeholders to build more infrastructures for the unserved parts of the island so as to create a more equitable sporting arena.

Calabar’s lopsided victory gave the school their 26th title and a 50.5 points victory and it telegraphed their intentions to tighten their stranglehold on the coveted Mortimer Geddes Trophy. All the steely-eyed pragmatists knew very well that it would have taken a herculean effort on the part of Kingston College to dethrone Calabar. The KC supporters started coming to terms with the reality of a Calabar victory when the huge gap established by the defending champions failed to dissipate. They watched in morose silence as the green and black standard bearers went into over drive on Champs’ final day. In fact, when the writing was on the wall, the serried purple and white fans began to caravan out of the National Stadium.

POINTS BY CLASS SCHOOL I II 1. Calabar 89 118 2. K.C. 64 46 3. J.C. 75 88 4. St. Jago 59 55 5. St. E.T.H.S 25 8 School Calabar K.C. J.C St Jago St. E.T.H.S.

Sprints 74 51 29 36 40

III OPEN TOTAL 38.5 42 287.5 72 56 238 23.5 43 229.5 23 40 177 46 21 100 Distance 39 47 17 71 13

Hurdles 42 35 21 11 23

JAVELIN OPEN

Mitchell’s dominance all season spilled over into Champs.

1. Adrian Mitchell (C.H.S.) 63.31m 2. Kevin Nedrick (Peters.)

59.07m 3. Delarno Beckford (Hap.Gr.) 56.87m 4. Lashane Kettle (K.C.) 56.44m 5. Michael Williams (XLCR) 50.98m 6. Tyrik Sewell (Mor.B.) 50.51m 7. Aval Denton (Ed.A.) 50.49m 8. Venton Prendergast (J.C.) 50.42m

Christopher Taylor did the ‘bull work’ of a captain that is in the making, when he toppled all that stood before him and secured for himself three records and four gold medals. Taylor’s performance featured prominently in Calabar amassing 118 points in Class Two, the most across all classes, and also in sprints where his school dominated with 74 points. A further analysis of the tables provided, reveals that the hurdle and the throw departments continue to pay rich dividends for Calabar. The school racked up scores of unanswered points that knocked the stuffing out of its opponents. Jamaica College continued its reign in the jumps while St Jago remained bullish in the distance events. Where the rubber meets the road, is the ability of a team to display all-around strength in the seven athletic disciplines of the sport. Calabar has demonstrated this, five years in a row.

Calabar showed that they were a well-oiled machine, as their string of quinellas on Champs’ final day were largely effective in enfeebling the contending schools.

They finished the Championships flushed with medals and records, stamping their superiority in the sport. As for title aspirants, Kingston College and Jamaica College, the journey to unseat Calabar is a long and arduous one and though it is not inconceivable in 2017, it will take a gargantuan effort.

As the schools tee up for battle in 2017, they will do so with greater restraints as ISSA has unfolded an icy-whiplash of changes that will put limits to the athletes participating in multiple events. The jury is out on whether this measure will overtime yield the intended desired outcome. Until such time see you at Champs 2017.

BREAKDOWN BY EVENTS SCHOOL SCORED IN WON 1. Calabar 34 10 2. K.C. 32 6 3. J.C. 34 5 4. St. Jago 22 4 5. St. E.T.H.S 14 6 Relays 35 34 38 21 24

Pit 27 36 57 16 0

Bar 25.5 24 34.5 22 0

Michael Stephens

Keenan Lawerence

ATHLETES CONTRIBUTING INDIVIDUAL POINTS 1. Calabar 53 2. K.C. 43 3. J.C. 45 4. St. Jago 33 5. St. E.T.H.S 20 Weight 40 7 27 0 0

Dec 5 4 6 0 0

Total 287.5 238 229.5 177 100

2000M STEEPLECHASE

Green etched his name in history with an imperious run.

1. Thaleetio Green (St.J.) 5:53.14 (R) 2. Garfield Gordon (Mav.B.) 5:56.73 3. Shane Buchanan (K.C.) 5:59.11 4. Kyle Morgan (St.J.) 6:07.10 5. Teahjmar Burke (Hydel)6:07.76 6. Kristoff Darby (K.C.) 6:08.39 7. Romar Mundle (Belle.) 6:09.91 8. Kajay Walker (Holm.) 6:13.83

RANK SCHOOL SCORE 1. Calabar High 287.5 2. Kingston College 238 3. Jamaica College 229.50 4. St. Jago High 177 5. St. Elizabeth Technical 100 6. Petersfield High 71 7. Excelsior High 63 8. Munro College 51 9. Wolmer’s Boys 50 10. Herbert Morrison Technical 33 11. Bellefield High 19 12. Buff Bay High 17 13. Cornwall College 16.50 14. Holmwood Technical 15 14. Morant Bay High 15 14. Meadowbrook High 15 17. Mavis Bank High 13 18. Rhodes Hall High 12 18. Edwin Allen High 12 20. Garvey Maceo High 11 21. Manchester High 10 21. Papine High 10 21. Campion College 10 24. Rusea’s High 9 24. St. George’s College 9 26. Spaldings High 8 27. Clarendon College 7 27. Hydel High 7 29. Happy Grove High 6 29. William Knibb Memorial High 6 29. Donald Quarrie High 6 32. Kellits High 5 32. St. Catherine High 5 32. Mona High 5 35. Glenmuir High 4 35. Greater Portmore High 4 35. Camperdown High 4 35. St. Mary High 4 39. Old Harbour High 3 40. Ardenne High 2.50 41. Muschett High 2 42. Green Island High 1 42. Jonathan Grant High 1

21

By: Oliver ‘Elmo’ Harris

Edwin Allen celebrates

I

n an exciting Girls’ Championship competition, Edwin Allen High School successfully defended their title and has now won three consecutive Championships.

The Michael Dyke-coached team was particularly dominant in the sprint, middle distance and hurdling events and was quite competitive in the throws and jumps. As expected, their main competition came from Hydel, St. Jago and Holmwood, but these teams were just not strong enough to upset Edwin Allen.

The Hydel team was a balanced one, scoring in most events, they again placed second to the champions, and will continue to be the main threat to Edwin Allen’s dominance. St. Jago placed third, but their problems in the middle and long distance events continue and until they overcome them, they will not be able to mount a serious challenge to the top two teams.

Although Edwin Allen won by over sixty points, they were challenged by a spirited Hydel team during the first few days.

In fact after day two, Hydel led the Girls’ Championship race and even when Edwin Allen took the lead, Hydel kept scoring critical points to stay within striking distance of the defending champions. Things got even more interesting when Edwin Allen’s top sprinter Patrice Moody was disqualified from the 200M finals for a lane violation; and when their unbeaten Class Four sprint relay team dropped the baton in the semifinals, track fans started wondering if that was the beginning of an Edwin Allen implosion. But the team remained calm www.TeamJA.org

and continued to extend their lead over their rivals and built up a commanding 40 point lead on the penultimate day. On the final day, there were no more major mishaps and Edwin Allen coasted to a 67 point victory.

Even though the victorious Edwin Allen team was a balanced one, they were particularly strong in Classes Two and Three.

In Class Three, they were led by sprint champion Kevona Davis and middle distance queen Cemore Donald. Davis won the sprint double in spectacular fashion and Donald was even more dominant in the middle distance races where she came close to breaking the Class Three record in the 800M. Annia Ashley, in her first year in Class Two, repeated last year’s feat of winning gold medals in both the long and high jumps.

Former sprint champion Shellece Clarke was recovering from injury and was not at her best in the Class Two sprints, but her teammate Kemoy Farquharson filled the void and scored critical points for her team.

She won silver and bronze medals in the 100M and 200M events. The senior athletes were not to be outdone, and Patrice Moodie, Theresa Jacobs, Ashani Robb and Janiel Moore also had outstanding Championship performances in Class One. Although Edwin Allen’s athletes dominated the meet, there were great performances from athletes at other contending schools.

Janell Fullerton of St. Jago was a double gold medal winner after capturing the TeamJamaica

heptathlon open and Class One shot put titles, while Sashieka Steele of Holmwood captured the 100M and 200M sprint titles in Class Four. The Hydel challenge was led

by Samara Spencer who won the long and triple jump events and placed third in the high jump, while young Gabrielle Matthews was just as impressive as her schoolmate, winning the Class Four hurdles title and placing second in the 100M and 200M sprints. Vere Technical’s Britnie Dixon did not win a gold medal at last year’s Championships, but captured two Class Two titles when she won both the 800M and 1500m events. Vere’s other star was Class Three athlete Britany Anderson who was quite a revelation. She broke the 80M hurdles Championship record, won the long jump title and placed third in the 200M. But the champion girl of the meet was undoubtedly Junelle Bromfield of St. Elizabeth Technical. She won the 400M, 800M and 1500M Class One titles and then went on to anchor her mile relay team to their first gold medal ever in the event.

It was quite exciting to see the reemergence of Excelsior high school who placed sixth at these games. Led by discus record breaker Shanice Love and Class Four high jump champion Shantae Foreman, Excelsior showed that they intend to be genuine championship contenders in the near future. Western schools like St. Elizabeth Technical, Green Island and Petersfield did well at Champs, and we are seeing the emergence of other schools in the region like Rusea’s and Mt. Alvernia.

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23

100M CLASS I

Rushelle Burton

Moody won her first Girls’ Championship gold medal.

1. Patrice Moody (Ed.A.) 2. Nelda Huggins (St.J.) 3. Shanice Reid (St.J.) 4. Kimone Hines (Gr.Is.) 5. Rushelle Burton (Camp.)

6. Kerry-Ann Scott (Holm.)

7. Vanesha Pusey (Gr.Is.) 8. Shanta Deer (Holm.)

100M HURDLES CLASS I

11.49 11.67 11.68 11.82 11.83 11.92 12.11 12.15

200M CLASS I

Shanice Love

In the absence of her main rival Moody, Williams easily won the event.

1. Ashley Willliams (Holm.) 24.02 2. Kimone Hines (Gr.Is.) 24.35 3. Shanice Reid (St.J.) 24.42 4. Natalliah Whyte (St.J.) 24.67 5. Shanta Deer (Holm.) 25.27 6. Tashoy Blake (Ed.A.) 25.27 7. Vanesha Pusey (Gr.Is.) 25.63 8. Trudy-Ann Williamson (Wol.) 25.90

400M CLASS I

In a long awaited duel, Junelle Bromfield defeated rival Ashley Williams.

1. Junelle Bromfield (St.E.T.H.S.) 51.74 2. Ashley Williams (Holm.) 52.87 3. Semoy Hemmings (Hydel) 54.19 4. Shannon Kalawan (Ed.A.) 54.35 5. Andrenette Knight (St.J.) 55.09 6. Kimisha Chambers (St.E.T.H.S.) 55.42 7. Segale Brown (Peters.) 55.90 8. Davia Smith ( Ed.A.) 57.79

Ashley Willliams

Shaneil English

800M CLASS I

Bromfield won her third individual gold medal at the 2016 Championships.

1. Junelle Bromfield (St.E.T.H.S.) 2:09.70 2. Janiel Moore (Ed.A.) 2:15.47 3. Asshanni Robb (Ed.A.) 2:16.73 4. Kayce-Ann Plummer (Vere) 2:20.63 5. Melissa Tyme (Holm.) 2:21.39 6. Sherona Stewart (Hydel) 2:21.84 7. Casey- Ann May (Holm.) 2:21.86 8. Ardeen Walker (St.A.T.H.S.) 2:26.69

1500M CLASS I

Junelle Bromfield

24

Bromfield got the nod over Robb in a photo finish.

1. Junelle Bromfield (St.E.T.H.S.) 4:40.77 2. Ashanni Robb (Ed.A.) 4:40.77 3. Teresha Jacobs (Ed.A.) 4:44.42 4. Melissa Tyme (Holm.) 4:56.36 5. Casey-Ann May (Holm.) 4:58.54 6. Alithia Ferron (Vere) 4:59.93 7. Kayce-Ann Plummer (Vere) 5:00.91 8. Ardeen Walker (St.A.T.H.S.) 5:07.00

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Burton won her first gold medal since coming back from injury.

1. Rushelle Burton (Camp.) 13.73 2. Nicolee Foster (Holm.) 13.77 3. Andrenette Knight (St.J.) 13.91 4. Gabrielle McDonald (Holm.) 14.01 5. Brittani Thompson (Hydel) 14.17 6. Janeek Brown (Wol.) 14.21 7. Trishauna Hemmings (Hydel) 15.04 8. Kimisha Chambers (St.E.T.H.S.) DQ

4 x100M CLASS I

Holmwood continued their great tradition in the sprint relay and again won gold.

1. Holmwood Technical 44.58 2. St. Jago 44.64 3. Edwin Allen 44.86 4. Camperdown 45.86 5. Green Island 46.39 6. Excelsior 46.62 7. Hydel 46.84 8. Wolmer’s 46.86

HIGH JUMP CLASS I

Kerr and Spencer scored heavily and kept Hydel’s Championship dreams alive.

1. Britny Kerr (Hydel) 1.70m 2. Colistia Baker (Peters.) 1.70m 3. Samara Spencer (Hydel) 1.70m 4. Gabriel Foster (Alpha) 1.70m 4. Tissanna Hickling (St.J.) 1.70m 6. Shanice Burrell (Titch.) 1.60m 7. Antonia Mason (St.A.) 1.60m 8. Athaliah Boyd (St.J.) 1.60m

DISCUS CLASS I

In her first victory at the Girls’ Championships, Love broke the discus record.

1. Shanice Love (Xlcr) 52.73m(R) 2. Devia Brown (Hydel) 42.76m 3. Tracey-Ann Simms (St.J.) 41.52m 4. Georgetta Samuels (Holm.) 41.11m 5. Janell Fullerton (St.J.) 40.16m 6. Shyledeen Smith (Peters.) 39.75m 7. Rochelle-Ann Bailey (Ed.A.) 39.13m 8. Tavia Ranger (XLCR) 38.86m

100M CLASS II

Shaw won the gold medal and broke the Class II record in only her first year in the Class.

1. Kimone Shaw (St.J.) 11.40 (R) 2. Khamoy Farquharson (Ed.A.) 11.65 3. Shaneil English (St.J.) 11.68 4. Shellece Clark (Ed.A.) 11.71 5. Kemba Nelson (Mt.Al.) 11.74.

6. Cishannie Williams (St.C.) 11.91 7. Michae Harriott (Holm.)

11.95 8. Shanette Allison (Holm.) 12.15

200M CLASS II

The St. Jago duo of English and Shaw continued their dominance of the Class II sprints.

1. Shaneil English (St.J.) 24.25 2. Kimone Shaw (St.J.) 24.52 3. Khamoy Farquharson (Ed.A.) 24.61 4. Daszay Freeman (M.H.S.) 24.62 5. Cishannie Williams (St.C.) 24.86 6. Kemba Nelson (Mt.Al.) 24.90 7. Kasheika Cameron (Ed.A.) 25.06 8. Kellian Kelly (Wol.) 25.42

LONG JUMP CLASS I

Spencer continued to dominate Hickling in the horizontal jumps.

1. Samara Spencer (Hydel) 6.07m 2. Tissanna Hickling (St.J.) 6.06m 3. Taishia Pryce (St.A.T.H.S.) 5.81m 4. Telecia Briscoe (Ed.A.) 5.74m 5. Jody-Ann Petrie (St.J.) 5.70m 6. Isheena Belnavis (Hydel) 5.62m 7. Colistia Baker (Peters.) 5.58m 8. Ophelia Hales (St.A.T.H.S.) 5.58m

400M CLASS II

After placing second in the event last year, Walker won the 400M title in her first year as a Class II athlete.

1. Sanique Walker (Vere) 53.94 2. Stacey-Ann Williams (St.E.T.H.S.) 54.50 3. Satanya Wright (St.E.T.H.S.) 54.89 4. Moisha Barnes (Ed.A.) 56.02 5. Abigail Brooks (Hydel) 56.20 6. Kadeja Campbell (Holm.) 56.26 7. Monisha Blake (Gr.Is.) 56.69 8. Shalysa Wray (St.J.) 57.13

SHOT PUT CLASS I

Fullerton won the gold medal for her new school.

1. Janell Fullerton (St.J.) 14.46m(R) 2. Tavia Dixon (XLCR) 13.61m 3. Sahjay Stevens (St.E.T.H.S.) 13.17m 4. Latifah Smith (XLCR) 12.76m 5. Devia Brown (Hydel) 12.74m 6. Bristal O’Connor (Ed.A.) 12.65m 7. Dejonae Dixon (St.J.) 12.36m 8. Ashley Jarman (Alpha) 12.04m

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800M CLASS II

Dixon surprised May at the finish in an enthralling encounter.

1. Britnie Dixon (Vere) 2:14.29 2. Chrissani May (Holm.) 2:14.37 3. Brittney Campbell (Holm.) 2:15.86 4. Shanique Masters (Hydel) 2:17.16 5. Kimone Campbell (Spald.) 2:17.31 6. Moisha Barnes (Ed.A.) 2:19.07 7. Tameria Howell (St.M.H.) 2:20.37 8. Tasinia Mothersill (Al.Tn.) 2:21.30

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1500M CLASS II

Dixon again defeated her main rival May and won her second gold medal.

1. Britnie Dixon (Vere) 4:38.32 2. Monifa Green (Hydel) 4:42.96 3. Chrissani May (Holm.) 4:44.06 4. Tameria Howell (St.M.H.) 4:46.08 5. Brittney Campbell (Holm.) 4:49.27 6. Kelly-Ann Beckford (Al.Tn.) 4:56.19 7. Aneisha Ingram (Ed.A.) 4:57.70 8. Kara Grant (Spald.) 5:00.02

100M HURDLES CLASS II

Freeman won gold ahead of her teammate Marshall.

1. Daszay Freeman (M.H.S.) 13.69 2. Sidney Marshall (M.H.S.) 13.74 3. Shanette Allison (Holm.) 13.96 4. Amoi Brown (Vere) 13.97 5. Khamoy Farquharson (Ed.A.) 14.51 6. Casheena Chen (Wol.) 14.65 7. Ruth-Ann Roye (Hydel) 14.65 8. Joda Campbell (Hydel) 14.96

4 x 100M CLASS II

Led by the duo of Shaw and English, St. Jago defeated Edwin Allen in a long awaited clash.

1. St. Jago 45.21 2. Edwin Allen 45.34 3. Alpha 46.61 4. Vere 46.94 5. Hydel Group 46.99 6. Wolmer’s DNF 7. Manchester DNF 8. Holmwood Technical DQ

HIGH JUMP CLASS II

Former Class IV and Class III long and high jump champion Annia Ashley surprised favorite Salmon as she defeated her in a close contest.

1. Annia Ashley (Ed.A.) 1.78m 2. Shiann Salmon (Hydel) 1.75m 2. Shania Ingram (Ed.A.) 1.75m 4. Lorean Murray (St.A.) 1.70m 4. Toni-Ann Farquharson (Wol.) 1.70m 6. Rushellee Jones (BBay) 1.65m 7. D’Andra Morris (Camp.) 1.65m 8. Zinedine Russell (Alpha) 1.60m 8. Janeila Francis (XLCR) 1.60m

SHOT PUT CLASS II

Virtually unknown before these Championships, Jones won the first of two gold medals.

1. Aiko Jones (Wol.) 15.13m 2. Avery Pryce (Vere) 13.76m 3. Ashtina Dobson (BBay) 13.39m 4. Tavoy Housen (XLCR) 13.21m 5. Tyest Bryan (Hydel) 12.90m 6. Patrice Forrest (Hydel) 12.89m 7. Shaday Hudson (Holm.) 12.66m 8. Sheika McPherson (Ed.A.) 12.62m

DISCUS CLASS II

Jones continued to dominate the Cass II throws and won her second gold medal.

1. Aiko Jones (Wol.) 43.37m 2. Kimone Reid (Ed.A.) 39.54m 3. Kerrayne Fray (St.A.) 39.14m 4. Avery Pryce (Vere) 37.15m 5. Tiwani Myles (Rusea’s) 36.76m 6. Johnelle Johnson (Ed.A.) 36.49m 7. Shamella Donaldson (Rusea’s) 35.00m 8. Shakira Stewart (St.J.) 34.97m

800M CLASS III The defending champion easily won.

1. Cemore Donald (Ed.A.) 2:09.98 2. Britney Brown (M.H.S.) 2:13.49 3. Shaquena Foote (Peters.) 2:14.67 4. Delverna Bromfield (Holm.) 2:18.64 5. Zenon Kerr (Hydel) 2:20.04 6. Kayan Green (Ed.A.) 2:20.34 7. Shadae Findley (St.E.T.H.S.) 2:22.26 8. Shaneeka Reid (Holm.) 2:23.80

Aiko Jones

1500M CLASS III

Donald easily won her second gold medal of the Championships.

1. Cemore Donald (Ed.A.) 4:44.82 2. Shantay Chamberlain (Mav.B.) 4:47.02 3. Britney Brown (M.H.S.) 4:48.23 4. Kimara Austin (Spald.) 4:49.94 5. Zenon Kerr (Hydel) 4:50.56 6. Shaquena Foote (Peters.) 4:53.24 7. Kris-Ann Plummer (Vere) 4:54.73 8. Kayan Green (Ed.A.) 4:57.03

Cemore Donald

80M HURDLES CLASS III

After breaking the Championship record 100M CLASS III in the semi-finals, Anderson went on to After winning silver medals in the Class IV capture the goldl in the finals. sprints last year, Davis won her first gold 1. Britany Anderson (Vere) 11.24 medal.

2. Codesha Lewis (Vere) 11.60 1. Kevona Davis (Ed.A.) 11.63 3. Lisandra Brown (Ed.A.) 11.66 2. Julien Alfred (St.C.) 11.77 4. Kimeone McLeod (St.J.) 11.72 3. Shanique Rowe (Ed.A.) 12.04 5. Velecia Williams (Hydel) 11.89 4. Kayla Bonnick (St.J.) 12.05 6. Crystal Morrison (St.J.) 11.91 5. Ashanti Moore (Hydel) 12.16 7. Aaliyah Wood (Ed.A.) 11.92 6. Jhanel Gordon (Alpha) 12.18 7. Shakeira Bowra (St.C.) 12.38 4x100 CLASS III 8. Jada McBean (Wol.) 14.74 Led by double sprint champion Kevona Davis, Edwin Allen decimated the com200M CLASS III petition.

Davis again defeated her main rival Al1. Edwin Allen 45.74 fred and completed the sprint double.

2. St. Catherine 46.32 1. Kevona Davis (Ed.A.) 23.91 3. St. Jago 46.37 2. Julien Alfred (St.C.) 24.48 4. Hydel Group 46.48 3. Britany Anderson (Vere) 24.59 5. Wolmer’s 47.17 4. Ashanti Moore (Hydel) 24.81 6. Excelsior 47.61 5. Joanne Reid (St.J.) 25.53 7. Holmwood Technical 47.98 6. Soyinne Grenyion (Mt.Al.) 25.59 8. St. Mary High 48.82 7. Ackera Nugent (XLCR) 25.80 8. Jhanel Gordon (Alpha) 25.86

Daszay Freeman

Kevona Davis

HIGH JUMP CLASS III

After failing to medal last year, Burgher 400M CLASS III won the gold.

Former Class IV sprint champion Reid 1. Janique Burgher (Ed.A.) 1.70m moved up to the 400M and was victoriLONG JUMP CLASS II 2. Shauntia Davidson (Hydel) 1.65m Annia Ashley, continued her dominance ous.

3. Kaliah Jones (XLCR) 1.65m 1. Joanne Reid (St.J.) 55.63 in the jumps and won her second gold 3. Kadian Myers (Lac.) 1.65m 2. Selisa Palmer (Ed.A.) 55.97 medal in her first year in Class II. 3. Ramona Hylton (Camp.) 1.65m 3. Dorian Nelson (XLCR) 56.43 1. Annia Ashley (Ed.A.) 5.78m 6. Abigale Mullings (Ed.A.) 1.65m 4. Daniella Deer (Holm.) 56.58 2. Susan Francis (Holm.) 5.64m 7. Rhianna Phipps (Hydel) 1.65m 5. Jada Martin (Hydel) 57.82 3. Monief Heslop (Camp.) 5.60m 8. Danielle Griffiths (Alpha) 1.60m 6. Tatten Thawe (Hydel) 58.24 4. Rhain Chong (Alpha) 5.50m 8. Ashalee Brown (ICHS) 1.60m 7. Shonnon Brown (Camp.) 59.55 5. Keneva Headley (Holm.) 5.45m 8. Anissa Walters (Hol.C.) 1.60m 6. Shiann Salmon (Hydel) 5.44m 8. Janielle Josephs (St.A.) 1:07.21 8. Daniella Anglin (H.M.) 1.60m 7. Hadiya Gray (St.A.) 5.30m 8. Shannon Bailey (Wol.) 1.60m 8. Kimone Shaw (St.J.) 5.16m

Britany Anderson

Anna Ashley www.TeamJA.org

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25

LONG JUMP CLASS III

70M HURDLES CLASS IV

Anderson continued her unbeaten streak in the event as she won her first Girls’ Championship gold medal.

1. Britany Anderson (Vere) 5.78m 2. Lotavia Brown (Ed.A.) 5.69m 3. Aaliyah Lindsay (Alpha) 5.57m 4. Noellea-Marie Mason (Wol.) 5.48m 5. Aalliyah Francis (Frome) 5.46m 6. Shade Parr (Hydel) 5.42m 7. Rhianna Phipps (Hydel) 5.40m 8. Natasha Dudley (Vere) 5.36m

After winning silver medals in the sprints, Matthews finally won gold in the sprint hurdles.

1. Gabrielle Matthews (Hydel) 10.63 2. Patreece Clarke (Ed.A.) 10.86 3. Marissa Simpson (Cl.C.) 10.87 4. Salieci Myles (Ed.A.) 10.90 5. Oneka Wilson (Hydel) 11.09 6. Donnell Hartley (Q.) 11.13 7. Danae Nembhard (St.J.) 11.14 8. Abigail Blake (Hol.C.) 11.15

DISCUS CLASS III

St Jago took advantage of the absence of favorites Edwin Allen and captured first place.

1. St. Jago 47.58 2. Hydel Group 47.61 3. Manchester 49.14 4. St. Andrew 49.25 5. Wolmer’s 49.40 6. Immaculate 50.00 7. Holmwood Technical 50.63 8. Camperdown 51.09

100M CLASS IV

Foreman regained her early season form and won the high jump title.

1. Shantae Foreman (XLCR) 1.60m 2. Zoe Shaw (St.A.) 1.55m 3. Bianca Samuels (Hydel) 1.50m 3. Jamara Scott (BBay) 1.50m 3. Amelia Davis (Wol.) 1.50m 3. Daniel Hinds (XLCR) 1.50m 7. Sheree Wright (M.H.S.) 1.45m 7. Luanna Brown (M.H.S.) 1.45m

4x100M CLASS IV

The Vere duo of Forbes and Chance won the quinella and gave their school much needed points.

1. Marie Forbes (Vere) 37.34m 2. Natsuya Chance (Vere) 33.67m 3. Ashanti Wright (XLCR) 33.29m 4. Kadine Brown (Ed.A.) 32.72m 5. Celine Falconer (St.A.) 32.67m 6. Aliesha Shaw (Rusea’s) 32.38m 7. Daneika Williamson (Alpha) 32.20m 8. Shadae Richards (M.H.S.) 30.66m

3000M OPEN

Green avenged her defeat in the 1500M, and defeated the favorite Dixon.

1. Monifa Green (Hydel) 10:16.42 2. Britnie Dixon (Vere) 10:19.50 3. Teresha Jacobs (Ed.A.) 10:39.62 4. Kris-Ann Plummer (Vere) 10:53.13 5. Jeima Davis (Ed.A.) 10:55.65 6. Tameria Howell (St.M.H.) 10:59.02 7. Shaneeka Reid (Holm.) 11:04.85 8. Llori Sharp (St.A.) 11:05.17

400M HURDLES OPEN

200M CLASS IV Steele completed the sprint double.

1. Sashieka Steele (Holm.)

25.06 2. Gabrielle Matthews (Hydel) 25.24 3. Bethany Bridge (Ed.A.) 25.67 4. Salieci Myles (Ed.A.) 25.81 5. Jaciann Woolery (Gr.Is.) 26.23 6. Omelia Stanley (Hydel) 26.37 7. Samoya Neil (XLCR) 26.62 8. Janela Spencer (M.H.S.) 27.30

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HEPTATHLON OPEN

Shot Put gold medalist Fullerton showed her versatility as she won the multi-event.

1. Janell Fullerton (St.J) 5011 pts.

2. Zinedine Russell (Alpha) 4489 pts.

3. Trishauna Hemmings (Hydel) 4469 pts.

4. Keneva Headley (Holm.) 4321 pts.

5. Peter-Gay McKenzie (Ed.A.) 4176 pts.

6. Brittaney Orr (BBay) 3959 pts.

7. Fiona Barnes (Vere) 3934 pts.

8. Basilla Haughton (Rusea’s) 3575 pts.

4 X 400M OPEN

Led by champion girl Bromfield, St. Elizabeth avenged their Gibson Relay defeat.

1. St. Elizabeth Technical 3:37.40 2. Hydel Group 3:38.87 3. Holmwood Technical 3:39.78 4. Edwin Allen 3:41.28 5. St. Jago 3:41.97 6. St. Andrew 3:50.12 7. St. Mary 3:50.61 8. St. Andrew Technical 4:01.47

JAVELIN OPEN

Edwin Allen dominated the event as Jacobs won her first gold medal.

1. Teresha Jacobs (Ed.A.) 7:07.86 2. Jeima Davis (Ed.A.) 7:19.10 3. Alithia Ferron (Vere) 7:21.62 4. Shanique Masters (Hydel) 7:25.67 5. Melissa Tyme (Holm.)

7:26.00 6. Kayce-Ann Plummer (Vere) 7:31.62 7. Delverna Bromfield (Holm.) 7:43.18 8. Monifa Green (Hydel) 8:03.94

TRIPLE JUMP OPEN

Hydel finally defeated Edwin Allen in the Medley relay.

1. Hydel Group 4:02.74 2. St. Jago 4:03.80 3. Spaldings 4:05.67 4. Manchester 4:07.70 5. Edwin Allen 4:10.34 6. Excelsior 4:11.21 7. Camperdown 4:17.13 8. Holmwood Technical 4:28.26

Last year’s bronze medalist Stevens became the 2016 gold medallist.

1. Sahjay Stevens (St.ETHS) 43.60m 2. Devia Brown (Hydel) 42.52m 3. Tyefah Saunders (ICHS) 38.59m 4. Kimoy Phillips (Frome) 38.13m 5. Aiko Jones (Wol.) 37.92m 6. Dahlia Sterling (Alpha) 36.26m 7. Georgetta Samuels (Holm.) 35.82m 8. Johnadine Thomas (Alpha) 35.30m

LONG JUMP CLASS IV Hall upsets favorite Chambers.

1. Dayshanae Hall (St.J.) 5.17m 2. Paula-Ann Chambers (Ed.A.) 5.14m 3. Samoya Neil (XLCR) 5.13m 4. Jordan Temple (ICHS) 5.01m 5. Shantay Kellyman (ICHS) 4.94m 6. Danae Nembhard (St.J.) 4.93m 7. Davia Nichol (St.A.) 4.85m 8. Toni-Ann Powell (Hydel) 4.75m

Andrenette Knight

The world junior silver medalist continued her local unbeaten streak when she easily defeated a high quality field.

1. Shannon Kalawan (Ed.A.) 56.41 2. Andrenette Knight (St.J.) 56.98 3. Nicolee Foster (Holm.)

56.99 4. Sanique Walker (Vere) 57.20 5. Shiann Salmon (Hydel) 57.78 6. Janiel Moore (Ed.A.) 1:01.47 7. Jody-Ann Petrie (St.J.) 1:01.94 8. Kimisha Chambers (St.E.T.H.S.) DNF

HIGH JUMP CLASS IV

In a long awaited duel between the outstanding sprinters Steele and Matthews, Steele emerged victorious.

1. Sashieka Steele (Holm.)

11.91 2. Gabrielle Matthews (Hydel) 12.01 3. Bethany Bridge (Ed.A.) 12.31 4. Danae Nembhard (St.J.) 12.50 5. Shantae Williams (St.J.) 12.52 6. Omelia Stanley (Hydel) 12.52 7. Janela Spencer (M.H.S.) 12.71 8. Patreece Clarke (Ed.A.) 12.74

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Lotavia Brown

Janell Fullerton

Britany Anderson

Spencer won her second gold medal in the horizontal jumps.

1. Samara Spencer (Hydel) 13.02m 2. Tissanna Hickling (St.J.) 12.96m 3. Danielle Spence (Wol.) 12.86m 4. Britny Kerr (Hyd.) 12.61m 5. Myesha Nott (Rusea’s) 12.34m 6. Leone Farquarson (Cn.C.) 12.28m 7. Jody-Ann Petrie (St.J.) 12.24m 8. Cathilee Mullings (Holm.) 12.15m

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2000M STEEPLECHASE OPEN

SPRINT MEDLEY RELAY OPEN

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Summary

Edwin Allen has now won three consecutive titles and based on these Championship results, will continue to be strong contenders. In fact, Edwin Allen continues to be strong in the lower classes, so the graduation of their senior athletes will not have a serious effect on next year’s Championship hopes. They continued to be very competitive in the jumping events, an area where they used to be quite weak, but were less than dominant in the throws, an area in which they were traditionally strong.

Of course, Hydel has become stronger contenders year after year and they would have noticed that the margin of victory in 2016 was sixty seven points, much less than the 100 point margin in 2015. A quick look at the scoring tables show that Hydel matched Edwin Allen’s scores in the hurdles and throws. They were even the top scoring team in the jumps, but in the sprints and distance events, Edwin Allen was dominant, outscoring Hydel by more than 80 points. Coach Corey Bennett knows that to dethrone Edwin Allen, that situation must be rectified quickly.

very few points in the jumps and throws. Vere on the other hand continue to hold their own in the distance and hurdling events, but in great contrast to previous years are quite weak in the sprints which also causes them to score few points in the critical relays. Even though they have two of the best jumpers in Carifta medalists Lamara Distin and Britany Anderson, they had woeful scores in the jumping events.

At this point in time, no other school has a realistic chance of winning the Girls’ Champs title in the immediate future, but it has never been all about winning the coveted title. Instead, teams will continue to develop and showcase their stars who usually go on to represent their country at the youth, junior and senior levels. Athletes like sprint hurdler Daszay Freeman of Manchester, Anna-Kay-Allen and Julien Alfred of St. Catherine and Stacey-Ann Williams of St. Elizabeth, as a school, might have little or no chance of winning the Championship title but will continue to win individual medals and make their school proud.

St. Jago‘s task in rebuilding for 2017 will not be easy. The will lose top senior athletes like Natalliah Whyte, Shanice Reid, Nelda Huggins and Andrenette Knight. Those athletes were the heart of the St. Jago challenge and they will not be easily replaced. The problem is compounded by the fact that they scored no points in the middle and long distance events and no serious challenge can be mounted against Edwin Allen, with that type of weakness. They should however be able to dominate the throwing events with former Edwin Allen throwing coach Marlon Gayle now on the St. Jago coaching staff.

There are a number of outstanding athletes who will be saying goodbye. At the top of the list are Shannon Kalawan (Edwin Allen), Rochelle Burton (Camperdown) and Junelle Bromfield (St. Elizabeth) who all won individual medals at the 2016 World Junior games, while Natalliah Whyte won a gold medal at the 2014 youth Olympic games.

Other athletes who did their school and country proud are Shanice Reid, Janelle Fullerton and, Andrenette Knight, Britny Kerr, Samara Spencer, Semoy Hemmings, Shanice Love , Zinedine Russell, Sydney Marshall, Teresha Jacobs and Ashley Williams who were medal winners at Holmwood and Vere are two schools that have Champs and at the Carifta games. dominated Girls’ Championships in previous years, but have not mounted a serious challenge We say goodbye to those young ladies and we will in the last few. Holmwood remains competitive continue to follow their track and field exploits as on the track, but are now very weak in the field they make their transition to the college system at events. Compared with their rivals, they scored home and abroad.

POINTS BY CLASS SCHOOL 1. Edwin Allen 2. Hydel 3. St. Jago 4. Holmwood 5. Vere

I 62 56 81.5 68 10

II 79.5 40 46 48 10

III 96 48 34 14 50

IV 37 50 35 21 0

OPEN 55 70 45 33 29

TOTAL 329.50 264.50 241.50 184 139

BREAKDOWN BY EVENTS SCHOOL SCORED IN WON 1. Edwin Allen 46 11 2. Hydel 46 6 3. St. Jago 46 8 4. Holmwood 46 4 5. Vere 46 6

SCHOOL SPRINTS DISTANCE HURDLES RELAYS THROWS JUMPS HEP. TOTAL 1. Edwin Allen 92 79 35 41 21 55.5 6 329.5 2. Hydel 46 38 30 46 25 71.5 8 264.5 3. St. Jago 87 0 25 57 22 38.5 12 241.5 4. Holmwood 53 52 24 28 9 12 6 184 5. Vere 15 51 26 6 28 10 3 139

ATHLETES CONTRIBUTING INDIVIDUAL POINTS 1. Edwin Allen 38 2. Hydel 29 3. St. Jago 20 4. Holmwood 23 5. Vere 13

RANK

SCHOOL

SCORE

1. Edwin Allen High 329.50 2. Hydel Group of Schools 264.5 3. St. Jago High 241.50 4. Holmwood Technical 184 5. Vere Technical 139 6. Excelsior High 80 7. St. Elizabeth Technical 72 8. Wolmer’s Girls 63.20 9. Manchester High 55 10. Alpha Academy 45.20 11. Camperdown High 39 12. St. Andrew High 37.50 13. St. Catherine High 33 14. Green Island High 27 15. Petersfield High 23 16. Immaculate Conception High 19.20 17. Spaldings High 18 18. Buff Bay High 17.50 19. St. Mary High 15 19. Rusea’s High h 15 21. St. Andrew Technical 13 22. Mount Alvernia High 10 23. Frome Technical High 9 24. Mavis Bank High 7 25. Clarendon College 6 26. Lacovia High 5 27. Albert Town High 4 28. Campion College 3 28. The Queen’s High 3 28. Titchfield High 3 31. Holy Childhood High 1.20 32. Herbert Morrison Technical 0.20

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O’Brien Wasome

Nigel Ellis

Seanie Selvin

Shanice Love

Janelle Fullerton

Junelle Bromfield

2017 WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Adrian Mitchell

Last year, 8 defending Class 1 and Open event champions, one girl among them, came back from 2015 to challenge for top honours at Boys and Girls Championships 2016.

The circumstances are radically different this year. Just 5 such champions return this time.

BOYS • 100m/200m: Nigel Ellis, STETHS, gone pro • 400m: Akeem Bloomfield, KC, left a The returners are: year early, now at Auburn 1. Javauney James, • 800m: Nathan Brown, STETHS, 400m hurdles.

XLCR, now Essex 2. Kyle Mitchell, Calabar, Community College shot put.

• 1500m: Shavon Parkes, 3. Patricia Moody, Edwin Bellefield, Wiley College Allen, 100m.

• 110H: Seanie Selvin, 4. Monifa Green, Hydel, Calabar, departing for 3000m. scholarship later in 2017 5. Sahjay Stevens, • 2000st/5000m: Thaleetio STETHS, now St. Jago, Green, St. Jago, now javelin.

UTECH • HJ: Clayton Brown, JC, The biggest absentee is now Florida Akeem Bloomfield. Had LJ/TJ: O’Brien Wasome, he stayed at Kingston JC, now Texas College, he would have • DT: Sanjay Lawrence, had a chance to join Petersfield, Barton Community College Rupert Hoilette, Daniel England and Javon • JT: Adrian Mitchell, Francis as a three-time Calabar, now University of Albany winner of the Class 1 400m.

• Decathlon: Marcus Brown, Morant Bay, now

28

UTECH

GIRLS • 200m: Ashley Williams,

Andrenette Knight

SOME OTHER NOTABLE DEPARTURES

BOYS

• Sean Bailey, St Jago, Holmwood, now GC Foster now Western Texas • 400m/800m/1500m: College Junelle Bromfield, • Devaughn Baker, JC, STETHS, left one year early, now UTECH now at UTECH • Warren Barrett, Calabar, • 2000st: Teresha Jacobs, now UWI Edwin Allen, now New Mexico • Michael Campbell, JC, Junior College now UTECH • 100H: Rushelle Burton, • Kino Dunkley, Munro, Camperdown, left a year early, now at University of Texas • HJ: Britny Kerr, Hydel, now University of South Dakota

now Nebraska

• Rogay Granston,

Holmwood, now Meridian College

• Vashon McCarthy,

JC, now Cloud County Community College Hydel, now University of • Jordan Scott, Campion South Dakota College, now University of • SP/Hept: Janell Virginia Fullerton, Edwin Allen/ • Collin Sewell, St Jago, now St Jago, University of New Long Island University Mexico Highlands • Shivnarine Smalling, KC, • DT: Shanice Love, XLCR, now Western Texas College now Florida State • Shawn-D Thompson, St • 400H: Shannon Jago, now GC Foster College Kalawan, Edwin Allen, now • Waseem Walker, JC, now UTECH Purdue University

• LJ/TJ: Samara Spencer,

GIRLS

• Telecia Briscoe, Edwin

Allen, now Wayland Baptist University • Segale Brown, Petersfield, now Western Texas College

• Kimisha Chambers,

STETHS, now Western Texas College • Nyoka Clunis, XLCR, now Cloud County • Semoy Hemmings, Hydel, now University of Findlay • Andrenette Knight, St Jago, now San Diego State University

• Sydney Marshall,

Manchester High, left two years early, now Johnson C Smith University • Shanice Reid, St Jago, now UTECH • Zinedine Russell, Alpha, Rice University • Latifah Smith, XLCR, now UTECH

• Trudy-Ann Williamson, Wolmer’s, now Villanova University

FEATURES

2017 TRACK & FIELD SEASON ROUND-UP

Jhevaughn Matherson

The build-up to Boys and Girls Champs was dominated by one huge fan question - where is Christopher Taylor? Despite assurances by Calabar to the effect that Taylor, Michael Stephens and Dejour Russell were being rested after a tough 2016 campaign, the demand continued until, one by one the green-and-black dream team appeared.

However, even with their long sojourns off track, the season was full of wonder.

JANUARY 7 Jamaica College

Local track fans got their first look at KC’s Ugandan Aryamanya Rodgers and he was brilliant. The 16 year-old led teammate Shane Buchanan to a 1-2 finish in the 5000.

The times were outstanding at 15.26.96 and 15.33.04.

Gabrielle McDonald had her first run for Edwin Allen after leaving Holmwood. She scooted through the Class 1 100 metre hurdles in 14.46 seconds.

2013 Class 3 400m champion Nathaniel Bann of Kingston College tiptoed through his return after ongoing fights with injury. Bann gave KC a winning start to the 4x300m relay.

January 14 Douglas Forrest, Kirkvine and Manchester High/Charlie Fuller Memorial No matter where fans chose to go, there were highlight moments for all. Tyrese Reid of Spot Valley High School came all the way from Montego Bay to win the Class 1 800m in a notable early season of 1 minute 53.68 seconds. At Manchester High, Kevin Nedrick of Petersfield conquered reigning Class 1 shot champion Kyle Mitchell of Calabar with a last round winner taped at 18.85 metres. Mitchell had led with his final heave – 18.33m.

Holmwood Class 1 hurdler Nicolee Foster showed her speed in the flat 400m with the top time at Kirkvine. She circled the track in 58.08 seconds.

JANUARY 21 Wint-McKenley Classic, Big Shot and Central Hurdles & Relays

The bad news is the Morant Bay Relays, which had long been renamed in honour of the late coach Howard Jackson, were not held for the second year in a row.

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Ray-Donna Lee of Hydel highlighted

the Wint-McKenley meet by running early season Class 2 100 metre hurdles favourite Brittany Anderson of Vere into trouble with a neat run of 14.01 seconds on the one-year old track at Calabar. Meanwhile, at Excelsior High School, former Calabar star Fedrick Dacres was a big shot at the Big Shot with a national discus record of 68.67 metres. That inspired Aval Denton of Kingston College to beat Nedrick in the javelin with both boys breaking the meet record with throws of 57.02 and 56.68 metres respectively. The smoothly run Central Hurdles & Relays meet had some fine relay runs early on, with Holmwood Technical outlasting Edwin Allen in the 4x800m in 8 minutes 57.50 seconds.

JANUARY 28 STETHS and Queens/Grace Jackson In Kingston, at the Queen’s/Grace Jackson meet, KC sprint king Jhevaughn Matherson did a 200m/400m double that Miss Jackson would be proud of.

Matherson posted the fastest Class 1 400m time at 48.56 seconds and added the number 2 200m time – 21.59 seconds.

On the girls’ side, Shanette Allison of Holmwood topped the Class 2 100 metre hurdles table with a meet record of 13.40 seconds. Vere’s Brittany Anderson, who succeeded Allison as Class 3 champion, sliced through another timed section in 13.48 seconds.

At STETHS, Hydel showed its growing power in the 400 metres. First, the Hydel trio of Shian Salmon, Abigail Brooks and Garriel Whyte posted the best times in Class 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Then in the last girls’ race of the meet, the Corey Bennett coached team eked out a 4x400m victory over Edwin Allen in 3 minutes 48.06 seconds.

On the field, Nedrick fired the Class 1 shot 19.05 metres.

FEBRUARY 4 Jamalco, Youngster Goldsmith

Anderson hurdled past the Halse Hall site of the Jamalco meet to dazzle Youngster Goldsmith patrons with a sharp looking run in the Class 2 100 metre hurdles. In one fell swoop, she avenged an earlier loss to Lee of Hydel and simultaneously posted the fastest time of the season at 13.18 seconds. That’s faster than the Champs record of 13.38 seconds.

Even though Matherson made his 100 metre debut a quick one at 10.37 seconds, the YG race of the day was in the 800 metres for Class 2 boys. Kimar Farquharson must have been muttering the old Calabar chant of ‘they shall not pass’ as he held of Aryamanya Rodgers of KC by just 0.03 seconds. The winning time was 1 minute 54.41 seconds.

There was middle distance drama at Jamalco too, as Kara Grant nipped by Chrisanni May of Holmwood just in time to give Edwin Allen the win in the Class 1 1500m in 4 minutes 59.54 seconds.

FEBRUARY 11 Camperdown Classic and Western Relays

Calabar and Kingston College delighted fans on different ends of the island. At the Camperdown Classic in Kingston, Calabar delivered the top three times in the Class 1 400m hurdles and the fastest Class 1 4x100m time of the season, 40.38 seconds without Taylor or 2016 Class 2 100m champion Michael Stephens.

At the Western Relays, Oshane Peart starred as Kingston College went to town in Montego Bay. The purples won the 4x100m relays in Class 2, 3 and 4 with Peart rescuing the Class 2 4x200m with a super anchor.

Nicolee Foster

Tyrese Reid

Shian Salmon After a tempestuous 4x400m win over STETHS, KC ended the day with a spritely run of 3 minutes 14.74 with Matherson dashing a leg in 47 seconds flat.

Hydel’s Trishauna Hemmings put in a good day of work there as well. She was second to tall Suzan Francis of Holmwood in the long jump after zipping to a record time of 13.66 seconds in the Class 1 100 metre hurdles.

Akeen Colley over St Jago in the 4x400m. The highlight of the Edwin Allen performance was a sizzling win in the Class 3 4x100m. With Kevona Davis sweeping the second leg, Edwin Allen zipped home on 44.91 seconds. That and a 4x800m record – 8 minutes 47.71 seconds – made up for a baton fumble in the Class 4 4x100m final.

The boys’ 4x800m was excellent too as St Jago set a Jamaican high school record of 7 minutes 32.76 seconds.

FEBRUARY 18 Western Champs, STATHS/Isaac Henry and Ben Francis Invitational FEBRUARY Reid continued to put Spot Valley on the map 27 and 28 - Eastern Champs as a masterful performance – timed at 1 minute 51.11 seconds – earned him the gold medal in the Western Championships Class 1 800 metres. That made the headlines but so did Kevin Nedrick of Petersfield, Sachin Dennis of STETHS, Kalani Cook of Rusea’s, Soyinne Grenyion of Mount Alvernia and Rovaine Williams of Rhodes Hall.

Nedrick did a shot/disc/javelin triple while Dennis, Cook and Grenyion turned in notable sprint doubles in Class 2 – 10.72 and 21.52 for Dennis and in Class 3 for both Cook and Grenyion.

Williams shocked the Montego Bay Sports Complex with a 53.48 win over the STETHS of Dashonelle Dyer and Javauney James.

At the STATHS, Calabar decathlete LaFranz Campbell downed a fine field in the Class 1 110m hurdles with his run of 14.07 seconds.

At Vere Technical, Jeima Davis of Edwin Allen marked herself as a slight favourite for the Champs steeplechase with a win over stubborn Kay-Ceann Plummer of the hosts in 7 minutes 20.39 seconds.

FEBRUARY 25 Gibson-McCook Relays

Kevin Nedrick

In a meet dominated by St Mary High, Shantel Reid of Happy Grove threw her way onto the spotlight with a record throw of 36.91 metres in the javelin.

MARCH 2 Corporate Area Development Meet

Taylor finally came out to play and smiled all the way through his Class 1 200 metre race, clocking an impressive time of 20.98 seconds.

Heavy headwinds spoiled the sprints and an apparent timing glitch produced super-fast times in the Class 3 boys 400m. The official time leader was 48.37 seconds, which is superior to Taylor’s meet record by 0.18.

MARCH 4 AND 5 Carifta Trials

Taylor tested his fitness in the 400 metres just days after his season opening 200m run. He passed the test with flying colours speeding around the under 20 400m final in 45.41 seconds. His co-Dream Teamer Stephens marked the register properly with a stylish under 18 200m win in 20.93 seconds.

Nedrick was monumental in the under 20 shot, missing the national junior record by just 4 centimetres with his best throw of 20.08 metres.

KC and Edwin Allen dominated the 41st staging of this venerable relay carnival. KC won all the sprint relays and closed the show with a close win The best girl was Kevona Davis who aban-

doned the drive phase start but still stormed to victory in the under 18 100 in 11.43 seconds. That’s faster than the Champs record for Class 3 girls.

Though Patrice Moody was eliminated from the under 20 final, Edwin Allen also won that title as Kashieka Cameron zoomed home in 11.49 seconds.

Anderson showed again that she is the Class 2 100 metre hurdles favourite with a smooth under 18 title run in 13.21 seconds. Reigning Class 2 champion Dazsay Freeman of Manchester High was second in 13.44 seconds.

MARCH 11 GCFoster Classic

Taylor and Davis were at it again in this finale to the Digicel Grand Prix.

Both dazzled over 200 metres with fast personal best times of 20.59 and 23.32 seconds respectively.

Other notable marks came from Lushane Wilson of St Jago, who cleared 2.18 metres in the high jump, Stacy-Ann Williams of STETHS who lowered her 400 metre best to 52.62 seconds and Sashieka Steele of Holmwood. Steele, last year’s Class 4 sprint dominator, showed she might challenge Davis in the Class 3 100m at Champs with a great run timed in 11.50 seconds.

There was a shock in the boys Class 1 800m as the undefeated streak by Tyrese Reid came to an end. Powerful Rusea’s sixth former Akeen Colley ran down the Spot Valley star to win in a relatively slow 1 minute 52.80 seconds.

Reid had run 1.51.11 in the under 18 Carifta Trials while in the under 20 category, Colley had triumphed in 1.52.11.

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By: Oliver ‘Elmo’ Harris Edwin Allen is on course to win their fourth consecutive Girls’ Championship title. In 2014 and 2015, they won by more than 100 points, but in 2016 their margin of victory was 67 points.

Edwin Allen has however regrouped and expects to widen their margin of victory. This Edwin Allen team is quite a balanced one and they will score heavily in all classes on the track and on the field. They also have a number of outstanding athletes like middle distance queen Cemore Donald and their new Class Three sprinting sensation Kevona Davis. They have already successfully defended their Central Champs and Digicel Grand Prix titles.

At this year’s Championships, their main rivals will again be Hydel, St. Jago and Holmwood. All three team have improved, but are not strong enough to dethrone Edwin Allen. The Hydel team, led by Carifta high jump and 400M hurdles champion Shian Salmon, is relatively strong and should be able to maintain their second position.

They should however be careful of the resurgent St. Jago and Holmwood squads that are capable of challenging Hydel’s spot. St. Jago is led by their top jumper and sprinter Tissana Hickling, while Holmwood Technical boasts a very strong middle and long distance squad led by Chrissani May. Vere Technical will remain in fifth position, but they will provide the Championships with top quality athletes like Britney Anderson, Amoi Brown and Sanique Walker who are all poised to break Champs records in the sprint and intermediate hurdles.

There are a number of squads that have shown marked improvement. Last year, Excelsior placed sixth at Champs, their first entry into the top ten for a number of years. They won the 2017 Corporate Championships and should continue to be the top urban school. They are led by sprint hurdlers Renee Shaw and Ackera Nugent, both of whom have been having a very successful 2017 season.

No one can fail to notice the improving squads from the western region. Rusea’s High School won the Western Championship for the first time and will showcase Myesha Nott and Nia Robinson, two athletes who are poised to do very well in the triple and long jump events.

Petersfield continues its growth and could win a number of events, especially with middle distance phenom Shaquena Foote intending to make her name at these Championships.

We now look at the events that will unfold over the next five days.

DISCUS CLASS I

SHOT PUT CLASS II

Record: Shanice Love (XLCR) – 52.73m (2016)

Record: Rochelle Frazer (Ed.A) – 15.93m (2013)

BAILEY WINS HER FIRST GOLD AT CHAMPS G. Bailey (St.J) _______________________ F. Richards (Ed.A.) _______________________ D. Brown (Hydel) _______________________ S. Smith (Peters.) _______________________ T. Ranger (Xlcr) _______________________ S. McPherson (Ed.A.) _______________________ K. Clarke (ICHS) _______________________ G. Samuel (Holm.) _______________________

FINALISTS

CAN SLOLEY WIN THE GOLD FOR IMMACULATE?

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Gabrielle Bailey of St. Jago is having an outstanding season. The former St. Andrew high student has never won a medal at Champs, but since transferring to St. Jago, has improved by leaps and bounds. She defeated her main rivals at the Carifta Trials and again at Central Champs. Fiona Richards of Edwin Allen is a former Girls’ Championship gold medallist while Devia Brown of Hydel won the event at the Carifta Games. They are tough competitors and hope to mount a serious challenge for the gold. Western Champs winner Shyledeen Smithof Petersfield could cause an upset and upstage the favourites.

SEASON’S BESTS: Richards – 51.01m, Bailey– 49.11m, Brown – 46.80m, Smith – 46.64m, Ranger – 44.90m.

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S. Hudson (Holm.) _______________________ D. Sloley (ICHS) _______________________ M. Forbes (Vere) _______________________ K. Thompson (Holm.)_______________________ A. Shaw (Rusea’s) _______________________ K. Reid (Ed.A.) _______________________ S. Scott (St.J) _______________________ P. Forrest (Hydel) _______________________ FINALISTS

Daniel Sloley of Immaculate is the top thrower in this class. She won the event at the Queen’s/ Grace Jackson meet with a season’s best performance of 14.74m. However she was beaten by Shaday Hudson of Holmwood at the Carifta Trials where she only managed to throw 13.56m. Sloley knows that she will need to get back to her early season form to win the gold medal. Aleisha Shaw of Rusea’s and Marie Forbes of Vere will contend for the minor medals.

SEASON’S BESTS: Sloley – 14.74m, Hudson – 14.03m, Forbes – 13.54m, Thompson – 13.43m, Shaw– 13.38m.

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POINTS SUMMARY AFTER WEDNESDAY’S 2 FINALS

After three finals, Holmwood leads with 15 points, while Edwin Allen, St. Jago and Hydel have 13, 11 and 7 points respectively. Vere technical is currently in fifth place with 6 points. Edwin Allen’s all round strength has allowed them to keep pace with a rejuvenated Holmwood.

Hydel quietly remains in contention behind the leaders.

Points Summary: Holmwood – 15 pts, Edwin Allen – 13 pts, St. Jago – 11 pts, Hydel – 7 pts, Vere – 6 pts.

HIGH JUMP CLASS III

2000M Steeple Chase Open

Record: Desreen Montaque (Ed.A) – 7:01.07 (2012) THOMPSON TAKES HOME THE GOLD 1.

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M. Thompson (Holm.)

K. Green (Ed.A.) A. Stewart (Hydel) K. Plummer (Vere) J. Davis (Ed.A.) E. Coley (Hydel) R. Johnson (St.J.) C. Lewis (St.J.)

Record: Shian Salmon (Hyd.) – 1.78m (2014)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

Megan Thompson of Holmwood is the top athlete in this event. She easily won the event at the Central Championships and should repeat that performance 1. S. Foreman (Xlcr) _______________________ at the Girls’ Championships. The Edwin Allen pair of Jeima Davis and Kayan Green is her main rival. Davis 2. A. Lindsay (Alpha) _______________________ won the silver medal last year, while Kayan Green 3. D. Anglin (H.M.) _______________________ won this event at the Youngster Goldsmith meet. Both 4. S. Evans (H.M.) _______________________ athletes will mount a serious challenge for the gold 5. A. Robinson (Rus.) _______________________ medal if selected for the event. Monifa Green is the 6. D. Hinds (Xlcr) _______________________ 2015 silver medallist but may not be entered in this 7. B. Samuels (Hydel) _______________________ event.

8. N. Robinson (Rus.) _______________________ SEASON’S BESTS: Thompson – 7:12.88, Green – 7:20.35,

FINALISTS Robb – 7:25.44, Stewart – 7:26.20, Plummer – 7:29.66.

Shantae Foreman of Excelsior won this event in Class IV and is now favoured to win the title her first year in POINTS SUMMARY ON THURSDAY Class III. This year, she won this event at the Corporate NIGHT AFTER 6 FINALS Area meet, defeating Alpha’s Aaliyah Lindsay and Shenell Evans of Herbert Morrison in a very close Edwin Allen is now on 52 points while Holmwood has contest. Western Champs winner Daniella Anglin also scored 31 points. In third place is Hydel with 25 points of Herbert Morrison and Daniel Hinds of Excelsior will while Excelsior gets into fourth position with 24 points.

St. Jago completes the top five places with 22 points. be very competitive in this event too.

SEASON’S BESTS: Foreman – 1.65m, Lindsay – 1.63m, With Edwin Allen’s 21 point lead looking ominous, the Anglin– 1.60m, Evans – 1.60m, Robinson – 1.60m, other contending teams are already worried that they will not be easily overtaken.

Hinds – 1.60m, Samuel – 1.60m.

Points Summary: Edwin Allen – 52 pts, Holmwood – 31 pts, Hydel – 25 pts, Excelsior – 24 pts, St. Jago – 22 LONG JUMP CLASS IV pts.

Kimone Shaw 2013 (St.J.) – 5.52m FOREMAN WINS A SECOND SUCCESIVE TITLE

Lotavia Brown

EDWIN ALLEN DUO LOOK TO WIN THE QUINELLA

Tissana Hickling

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A. McKenzie (Ed.A.) T. Cespedes (Xlcr) K. Clarke (St.J.) D McFarlane (Ed.A.) N. Scarlett (Hyd.) J. McNeil (Knox) L. Lowe (ICHS) P. Brown (Mt.A.)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

FINALISTS

Aleshia McKenzie and Davonia McFarlane continue Edwin Allen’s dominance in the horizontal jumps.

McKenzie won the event at the Central Championships while her teammate was victorious at the Central Hurdles meet. Kay-Lagay Clarke of St. Jago placed first at the Central Hurdles meet and looks to upset the Edwin Allen duo. Trecy-Ann Cespedes of Excelsior placed second at the Central Hurdles meet and will challenge the top contenders for a medal.

SEASON’S BESTS: McFarlane – 5.28m, Cespedes – 5.18m, Clarke – 5.09m, McKenzie – 5.07m, McNeil – 4.92m.

TRIPLE JUMP OPEN

Record: Tamara Moncrieffe (Holmwood) – 13.63m (2015) HICKLING BATTLES NOTT

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T. Hickling (St.J.) L. Brown (Ed.A.) M. Nott (Rus.) L. Murray (St.A.) K. Headley (Holm.)

D. Spence (St.J.) L. Distin (Vere) F. Irving (Holm.)

_______________________ _______________________ ______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

FINALISTS

Tissanna Hickling of St. Jago won the silver medal in this event last year and hopes to finally win her first Triple Jump gold medal at these Championships. Standing in her way is Western Championship winner Myesha Nott of Rusea’s who defeated her in the U20 section of the Carifta Trials. The other potential medallists in the event are Lorean Murray of St. Andrew and Danielle Spence of St. Jago who placed third in this event last year. Lotavia Brown of Edwin Allen won the U18 section of the Carifta Trials and could upset her more experienced rivals.

SEASON’S BESTS: Hickling – 13.29m, Brown – 3. L. Murray (St.A.) 12.87m, Nott – 12.75m, Murray – 12.61m, 4. A. Boyd (St.J.) Headley – 12.57m, Spencer – 12.53m.

5. S. Ingram (Ed.A.)

JAVELIN OPEN Record: Taneisha Blair (Holm.) – 47.85m (2007)

6. D. Morris (Camp.)

7. C. Baker (Peters.)

8. K. Headley (Holm.)

STEVENS RETAINS HER CROWN

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

Carifta champion Shian Salmon of Hydel is the Class III record holder. She also won the Class II high jump title 1. S. Stevens (St.J.) _______________________ in 2015 but lost that title last year to Annia Ashley of 2. D. Brown (Hydel) _______________________ Edwin Allen. This year she won the event at the Carifta 3. G. Samuel (Holm.) _______________________ Trials and is the favourite to win the Class I crown. But 4. D. Sterling (Xlcr) _______________________ the competition for medals will be fierce. Rushalee 5. T. Saunders (ICHS) _______________________ Jones of Excelsior, Tissana Hickling of St. Jago, Lorean 6. K. Phillip (Peters.) _______________________ Murray of St. Andrew, Dandra Morris of Camperdown 7. D. Sloley (ICHS) _______________________ and Shania Ingram of Edwin Allen have all cleared 8. J. Thompson (Xlcr) _______________________ 1.70m and are all talented enough to win a medal.

FINALISTS Sahjay Stevens won this event last year while SEASON’S BESTS: Salmon – 1.80m, Jones – 1.75m, competing for St. ElizabethTechnical. This year, she wears Murray – 1.75m, Morris – 1.70m, Boyd – 1.60m. the colours of St. Jago and continues her dominance in the event. At the Carifta trials, she defeated her DISCUS CLASS III main rivals Devia Brown of Hydel, Dahlia Sterling of Record: Paula-Ann Gayle (Ed.A) – 42.28m (2012) Excelsior and Tyefah Saunders of Immaculate. Brown WRIGHT AND BROWN BATTLE FOR THE GOLD and Saunders placed second and third last year in the Girls’ Championship event but this year will be under _______________________ pressure from Sterling of Excelsior and Georgette 1. K. Brown (Ed.A.) Samuels of Holmwood to retain their medals.

2. A. Wright (Xlcr) _______________________ SEASON’S BESTS: Stevens – 46.48m, Brown – 43.71m, 3. R. Guthrie (Xlcr) _______________________ Samuels – 42.04m, Sterling – 40.47m, Saunders – 4. S. Chambers (Vere) _______________________ 40.08m.

5. S. Simpson (StETHS) _______________________

DISCUS CLASS II Record: Gleneve Grange (Holm) – 46.64m (2012)

6. A. Dennis (St.J.) 7. C. Fearon (Rus.) 8. K. Johnson (St.A.)

FORBES WINS HER SECOND SUCCESSIVE TITLE

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

Ashanti Wright of Excelsior and Kadine Brown of Edwin Allen are the top throwers in this class. Wright 1. M. Forbes (Vere) _______________________ won the event at the Corporate Area championship, 2. K. Reid (Ed.A.) _______________________ with a throw of 34.08 metres. Brown however won the 3. S. Hudson (Holm) _______________________ event at the prestigious Central Champs with a leading 4. S. Donaldson (Rus.) _______________________ throw 35.41 metres. Western champs winner Angenika 5. S. Scott (St.J.) _______________________ Simpson of St. Elizabeth technical, RafaeGuthrie 6. K. Lugg (Xlcr) _______________________ of Excelsior and Dajian Salmon of Edwin Allen are 7. J. Johnson (Ed.A.) _______________________ expected to battle for the minor medals.

8. S. Wright (Xlcr) _______________________ SEASON’S BESTS:Brown – 35.41m,Guthrie–34.47m,

FINALISTS Marie Forbes of Vere won the Class Three title last year. Wright–34.08m, Chambers- 31.79m, Simpson – This year she booked her place on the Carifta team by 31.10m. winning the U18 event at the Carifta Trials. Her main HIGH JUMP CLASS IV threat in this event is Kimone Reid of Edwin Allen who won the silver medal last year and expects to improve on Record: Shian Salmon (Hyd.) – 1.67m (2012) that performance and win the gold. Stiff competition is MCDONALD DEFEATS HINDS IN A LOW-KEYED CONTEST expected from Shawna Wright and Kimberley Lugg of Excelsior, Shadae Hudson of Holmwood and western 1. A. McDonald (Vere) _______________________ championship winner Shamella Donaldson.

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C. Davis (Xlcr) _______________________ SEASON’S BESTS: Forbes – 43.57m, Reid – 42.61m, 3.

S. Hinds (Hydel) _______________________ Hudson – 42.12m, Donaldson – 41.62m, Scott – 4. B. Grant (Holm.) _______________________ 39.98m.

HIGH JUMP CLASS I Record: Chanice Porter (M.H.S) – 1.86m (2012) FORMER CLASS III AND CLASS II CHAMP WINS IN CLASS I 1. S. Salmon (Hydel) 2. R. Jones (Xlcr)

_______________________ _______________________

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Devia Brown

Shian Salmon

Marie Forbes

L. Hibbert (St.J.) K. Bailey (Hydel) M. Cunningham (Wol.) O. Gardener (Holm.)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

FINALISTS

Annishka McDonald of Vere Technical and Sashanti Hinds of Hydel are the leading jumpers in this class.

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Chrissani May

Cemore Donald They both jumped 1.55 metres at the Central Championship where McDonald emerged victorious. The field is not a strong one and no Class Four athlete has jumped over 1.60 metres.

A number of athletes have jumped 1.50 metres and they will battle for the minor medals.

SEASON’S BESTS: McDonald – 1.60m, Davis – 1.55m, Hinds – 1.55m, Grant – 1.50m, Hibbert – 1.50m.

1500M CLASS III

Record: Evette Turner (Vere) – 4:20.20 (1992) LAWRENCE TAKES ON DWYER AND MCLEAN 1.

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A. Lawrence (Bell.)

R. Dwyer (Ed.A.) J. McLean (Ed.A) S. Pryce (Holm.)

A. Stewart (Hydel) K. Plummer (Vere) A. Young (Vere) N. Facey (Camp.)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

FINALISTS

Aniesha Lawrence of Bellfield is now the favourite to win this event. She was the surprise winner at the Central Championships when she defeated the U18 Carifta Trials second place finisher Rushana Dwyer of Edwin Allen. Jessica McLean of Edwin Allen is expected to win the bronze medal. Shantay Chamberlain of Mavis Bank placed second in this event last year but has not been running many 1500M races this year. But based on her 800M performances, she could surprise and take the top spot.

SEASON’S BESTS: Dwyer – 4:39.79, Lawrence – 4:45.34, Pryce – 4:47.39, Stewart – 4:57.97, Plummer – 4:58.16.

1500M CLASS II Record: Evette Turner (Vere) – 4:32.10 (1993) DONALD CONTINUES MIDDLE DISTANCE DOMINANCE 1.

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C. Donald (Ed.A.) _______________________ S. Foote (Peters.) _______________________ K. Green (Ed.A.) _______________________ D. Bloomfield (Holm.) _______________________ K. Campbell (Spal.) _______________________ B. Campbell (Holm.) _______________________ S. Campbell (Hydel) _______________________ E. Coley (Hydel) _______________________

FINALISTS

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Nicolee Foster

Sanique Walker Cemore Donald of Edwin Allen has not lost 400M HURDLES OPEN a Girls’ Championship race. She started her Record: RistanannaTracey (Ed.A) – 55.81 (2011) Champs career winning the 800M in 2015 and RIVALRIES ARE RENEWED then won the 800M and 1500M races at both the Girls’ Championships and at the Carifta Games in 2016. Her unbeaten streak could however 1. S. Walker (Vere) _______________________ come under threat as she now competes in 2. N. Foster (Holm.) _______________________ Class II where the competition is fierce. Her main 3. S. Salmon (Hydel) _______________________ competition comes from Shaquena Foote of 4. G. McDonald (Ed.A.) _______________________ _______________________ Petersfield who won the U18 Carifta Trials 1500M 5. J. Petrie (St.J.) 6. K. Knight (Holm.) _______________________ race in Donald’s absence. Other competitors for Championship honours are Kayan Green of 7. W. Harris (Steths) _______________________ _______________________ Edwin Allen and the Holmwood pair of Brittney 8. T. Rose (Hydel) FINALISTS Campbell and Delvernia Bromfield.

Nicolee Foster of Holmwood, Sanique Walker SEASON’S BESTS: Foote – 4:38.34, Donald – of Vere and Shian Salmon of Hydel placed third, 4:40.87, Green – 4:40.97, Bloomfield – 4:44.20, fourth and fifth in this event last year.

At the Campbell – 4:45.30.

Carifta Trials, Walker easily won the U18 section in a smart time of 58.06 seconds, while in the U20 1500M CLASS I section Foster edged Salmon at the tape, with Record: Natoya Goule (M.H.S.) – 4:29.81 (2010) both athletes running below 58 seconds. In the absence of the top contenders, Jodian Petrie of MAY AND DIXON MEET AGAIN! St. Jago won the event at Central Champs and 1. C. May (Holm.) _______________________ has hopes of winning a medal.

2. B. Dixon (Vere) _______________________ SEASON’S BESTS: Foster – 57.85, Salmon – 3. K. Grant (Ed.A.) _______________________ 57.89, Walker – 58.06, McDonald – 1:00.30, 4. M. Green (Hydel) _______________________ Petrie – 1:00.32.

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K. Plummer (Vere) S. Pryce (Holm.)

A. Robb (Ed.A.) E. Coley (Hydel)

_______________________ _______________________ 100M CLASS IV _______________________ Record: Kimone Shaw (St. Jago) – 11.75 (2013) _______________________

FINALISTS BRIANNA LYSTON HOLDS OFF EDWIN ALLEN THREAT

Chrissani May of Holmwood and Britnie Dixon of Vere have vied for middle distance supremacy from as far back as 2014 when both athletes were in Class III. Although May has won a few of those duels, she has never won a Championship gold medal. She defeated Dixon at the Central Championship meet and believes that this is the year for her to win her first Championship gold medal. Dixon on the other hand has won both the 800M and 1500M races at Champs and knows she has a mental edge on her rival.

Ashani Robb of Edwin Allen defeated both athletes in the 2015 Class II race, giving her a psychological edge. However she has not raced much this season and is not at her best.

SEASON’S BESTS: Dixon – 4:34.79, Grant – 4:35.75, May – 4:38.71, Green – 4:45.44, Dwyer – 4:50.75.

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B. Lyston (St.J.) _______________________ S. Cole (Ed.A.) _______________________ T. Clayton (Ed.A.) _______________________ O. McAnnuff (Hydel) _______________________ D. Nembhard (St.J.) _______________________ D. Simpson (Hydel) _______________________ C. Williams (Alpha) _______________________ A. Jameison (Mgs.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Edwin Allen has a number of top sprinters in this class and will be expected to win two medals in the event. Standing in the way of Edwin Allen’s Class IV domination is Brianna Lyston of St. Jago who has been in top form all season. The Edwin Allen threat is expected to come from the speed twins Tia and Tina Clayton. The Edwin Allen Class IV squad is deep and Serena Cole or Alisha McKenzie could also be selected for this event. The Hydel pair of McAnuff and Simpson, corporate champion Channel Williams of Alpha

Kevona Davis

Sashieka Steele

and Western Champs winner Amoya Jameison of Mannings will compete for a minor medal.

SEASON’S BESTS: Cole – 12.34, Jameison – 12.48, Green – 12.49, James – 12.50, Lewis – 12.51, McKenzie – 12.56.

100M CLASS III Record: Shauna Helps (Wol.) – 11.50 (2012) NEW SENSATION BREAKS THE RECORD 1.

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K. Davis (Ed.A.) _______________________ S. Steele (Holm.) _______________________ G. Matthews (Hydel)_______________________ S. Rowe (Ed.A.) _______________________ S. Grenyion (Mt.A.) _______________________ S. Grant (St.J.) _______________________ T. Williams (St.J.) _______________________ A. Maitland (St.C.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Kevona Davis of Edwin Allen was the double sprint champion last year and is favoured not only to successfully defend her titles but to threaten both records. At the Carifta Trials she ran 11.43, a time faster than the Class III record set by Shauna Helps. Her teammate Shanique Rowe placed third in the event last year but will have to fight tooth and nail against the other strong medal contenders to get back on the podium. Sasheika Steele of Holmwood won the sprint double in Class IV, while Hydel’s Gabrielle Matthews placed second to her in both events. Soyinne Grenyion of Mt. Alvernia is the Western Champs winner and all three athletes will be expected to contend with Rowe for the silver and bronze medal.

SEASON’S BESTS: Davis – 11.43, Steele – 11.53, Grenyion – 11.88, Rowe – 11.98, Reid – 12.07, Maitland – 12.17.

100M CLASS II Record: Kimone Shaw (St. Jago) – 11.40 (2016)

CAN ANYONE UPSET THE ST. LUCIAN SPEEDSTER? 1.

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J. Alfred (St.C.) _______________________ M. Harriott (Holm.) _______________________ K. Shaw (St.J.) _______________________ S. English (St.J.) _______________________ T. Dawkins (Vere) _______________________ K. Nelson (Mt.A.) _______________________ R. Lee (Hydel) _______________________ D Freeman (M.H.S.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Annia Ashley

Kimone Shaw and Shaneil English have dominated the sprints since Class IV. In fact, Shaw is the Class IV record holder and actually broke the Class II record last year. English has won multiple sprint tiles at Champs and is the defending Class II and Carifta 200M champion.

But this year, both athletes have not been showing good form and are no longer favoured to dominate the sprints. The St. Lucian speedster Julien Alfred of St. Catherine defeated all the top contenders at Central Champs and is now the favourite to win the event. The other contenders in the field are Digicel Grand Prix 100M winner Michae Harriott of Holmwood, Western Champs winner Kimba Nelson of Mt. Alvernia and sprint hurdler Ray Donna Lee of Hydel. Sprint hurdlers Britney Anderson of Vere and Daszay Freeman of Manchester are also top sprinters in this Class, and if selected for this event could surprise the favourites.

SEASON’S BESTS: Harriot – 11.50, Alfred – 11.53, Shaw –11.74, Nelson – 11.88, Lee – 11.89, Anderson – 11.89.

Carifta Trials and is certainly one of the favourites to win the gold medal. Kimone Hines of Green island and Renee Shaw of Excelsior are also major contenders for the title.

SEASON’S BESTS: Cameron – 11.49, Brissett – 11.54, Shaw –11.59, Clarke – 11.60, Farquharson –11.78, Moody – 11.78.

POINTS SUMMARY ON FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER 20 FINALS

Edwin Allen has extended its lead and has now scored 161 points. Holmwood Technical is in second place with 104 points, with St. Jago in third place on 99 points and Hydel now fourth with 92 points. Vere and Excelsior are fifth and sixth with 65 and 62 points respectively. Going into the final day, Edwin Allen seems to have an insurmountable lead, of 57 points, but teams have lost the Championships after leading on the scoring sheet by more than 50 points.

Point Summary: Edwin Allen – 161 pts, Holmwood – 104 pts, St. Jago – 99 pts, Hydel – 92 pts, Vere – 65 pts.

HIGH JUMP CLASS II

100M CLASS I

Record: Sheree Francis (Vere) – 1.83m (2000)

Record: Veronica Campbell (Vere) – 11.13 (2001) THE EDWIN ALLEN SELECTION PROBLEM

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K. Cameron (Ed.A.) A. Brissett (St.J.) A. Belnavis (Hydel) R. Shaw (Xlcr) S. Clarke (Ed.A.) K. Hinds (Gr.Isl.) A. Jackson (Gr.Isl.) K. King (Holm.)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

Edwin Allen has an embarrassment of riches in this event. Patrice Moody is the defending champion in the Class I 100M, while Shellece Clarke has won multiple titles at these Championships. Khemoy Farquharson placed second in the Class II event last year, defeating her teammate Clarke. At the Carifta Trials, a fourth Edwin Allen athlete Kasheika Cameron upset all three teammates when she won the event in 11.49 seconds, the second fastest time run by a schoolgirl this year. But this event is certainly not all about Edwin Allen, because quality sprinters abound in this Class. Former youth prodigy Aneka Brissett of St. Jago placed second at the

DISTIN SPOILS THE EDWIN ALLEN QUINELLA 1.

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L. Distin (Vere) _______________________ A. Ashley (Ed.A.) _______________________ J. Burgher (Ed.A.) _______________________ K. Jones (Xlcr) _______________________ R. Hylton (Camp.) _______________________ K. Myers (Lac.) _______________________ S. Davidson (Hydel) _______________________ S. Francis (Holm.) _______________________ FINALISTS

Lamara Distin of Vere will resume her gold medal quest for the Class II title. In Class III, she had to be satisfied with the silver medal when she was defeated by Edwin Allen’s Annia Ashley.

This year at the Carifta Trials she was defeated by Janique Burgher, last year’s Class III champion.

But Distin turned the tables at the Central Championships and defeated Burgher. Ashley has not been defeated at Champs in this event for the past two years and will compete for the gold medal. In 2015, she won the event in Class III and last year defeated favourite Shian Salmon to take the Class II title. Distin’s teammate Thailia Wilson has been steadily improving, and her 1.70 metre performance at Central

37

Sahjay Stevens

Champs shows that she is in medal contention.

SEASON’S BESTS: Distin – 1.80m, Burgher – 1.75m, Ashley – 1.70m, Jones – 1.70m, Wilson – 1.70m.

400M CLASS III

Record: Anneisha McLaughlin (Holm.) – 52.52 (2001) THE DEFENDING CHAMPION REPEATS

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J. Reid (St.J.) _______________________ D. Deer (Holm.) _______________________ G. White (Hydel) _______________________ D. Nelson (Xlcr) _______________________ S. Palmer (Ed.A.) _______________________ N. Palmer (Holm.) _______________________ S. Thomas (M.H.S.) _______________________ C. Higgins (Vere) _______________________

FINALISTS

Defending champion Joanne ‘Felix’ Reid of St. Jago is expected to successfully defend her title. Her main rivals in the event are Daniella Deer of Holmwood, Garriel White of Hydel and Dorian Nelson of Excelsior. Deer defeated Reid in a close finish at Central Champs and hopes to repeat the performance at the Girls’ Champs. But Reid again turned the tables at the Digicel Grand prix finals and defeated all her rivals. White of Hydel was a revelation at the Carifta Trials, and has as good a chance as any of winning the gold medal.

SEASON’S BESTS: Reid – 54.49, Deer – 54.87, White – 55.21, Nelson – 55.37, Palmer – 55.56, Palmer – 55.84, Thomas – 55.93.

400M CLASS II

Record: Chris-Ann Gordon (Holm.) – 51.62 (2011) WALKER EASILY DEFENDS HER TITLE

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S. Walker (Vere) _______________________ A. Brooks (Hydel) _______________________ C. Young (Hydel) _______________________ K. Francis (St.J.) _______________________ N. Pryce (Vere) _______________________ J. Joseph (St.A.) _______________________ A. Allen (St.C.) _______________________ K. Richardson (St.M.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Sanique Walker of Vere is the defending champion and should successfully defend her crown. She won the event at the Carifta

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Sanique Walker

Stacey-Ann Williams

Trials in an eye opening 53.01, the second fastest time for a high school girl this year.

Her main rivals are Kimara Francis of St. Jago, Nikeisha Pryce of Vere and the Hydel pair of Abigail Brooks and Charokee Young. Brooks placed second to Walker at the Carifta Trials and Young was denied the third place when she was disqualified for a lane violation. Brooks also won the event at Central Champs while Francis and Pryce placed second and third.

SEASON’S BESTS: Walker – 53.01, Brooks – 53.44, Young – 54.54, Josephs – 54.78, Francis – 55.56, Brown – 56.61.

400M CLASS I Record: Sonita Sutherland (Holm.) – 52.10 (2005) WILLIAMS KEEPS THE TITLE AT STETHS 1.

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S. Williams (StETHS)_______________________ A. Kelly (St.J.) _______________________ R. McGregor (Hydel) _______________________ N. Foster (Holm.) _______________________ M. Barnes (Ed.A.) _______________________ O. Kerr (Holm.) _______________________ K. Downer (St.A.) _______________________ S. Wray (St.J.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Last year, Junelle Bromfield of St. Elizabeth Technical won this event and with her teammate Stacy-Ann Williams, went on to win the 4 x 400M relay. Bromfield has graduated and this year, Williams who is the U18 Carifta champion in this event, is now the top girl in Class I. After being disqualified at the Carifta Trials for a lane violation, Williams overcame her disappointment and defeated her rivals at the Digicel Grand Prix meet. Her 52.62 run is the fastest time by a Jamaican school girl this year and Williams now ensures that the 400M title remains at St. Elizabeth. Top competitors Ronisha McGregor of Hydel and Aleisha Kelly of St. Jago have not competed often, but in previous years have proved to be very strong performers in this event.

SEASON’S BESTS: Williams – 52.62, Foster – 53.56, Mushette – 54.07, Kelly – 54.82, Kerr – 54.87.

Joanne Reid

SHOT PUT CLASS I Record: Janell Fullerton (St. Jago) – 14.46m (2016) RICHARDS COMPLETES THE DOUBLE

1. F. Richards (Ed.A.) 2. S. Stevens (St.J.) 3. D. Brown (Hydel) 4. T. Saunders (ICHS) 5. K. Clarke (ICHS) 6. A. Jones (Wol.) 7. S. Smith (Peters.)

8. T. Ranger (Xlcr) FINALISTS

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

Fiona Richards won the Class II shot put and discus events in 2015 while representing Buff Bay. She now hopes to do the same for her new school Edwin Allen. Her main competition in this event comes from last year’s third place winner Sah-Jay Stevens of St. Jago and Hydel’s Devia Brown who placed fifth in the event last year. Tyefah Saunders of Immaculate and Aiko Jones of Wolmer’s could surprise and win a minor medal.

SEASON’S BESTS: Richard – 13.80m, Stevens – 13.30m, Saunders – 13.18m, Brown – 12.95m, Clarke – 12.87m.

70M HURDLES CLASS IV Record: Mellica Gordon (St.J.) – 10.49 (2014) ST. JAGO GIRLS HOPE TO WIN THE QUINELLA 1.

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D. Nembhard (St.J.) _______________________ C. Williams (Alpha) _______________________ S. Pottinger (Hydel) _______________________ A. McKenzie (Ed.A.) ______________________ A. Blair (St.J.) _______________________ N. Brown (Hydel) ______________________ C. Shaw (Q.) ______________________ V. Robinson (Vere) _______________________

FINALISTS

Danae Nembhard of St. Jago made the finals of this event last year and hopes that this time around she will win the gold medal. She won this event at the Youngster Goldsmith and Central Hurdles meets and wishes to remain unbeaten this season. Her teammate Alliyan Blair has also been hurdling well and expects to join her teammate on the podium. The competition from Hydel will be fierce and Shanoya Pottinger and Najeeka Brown are also likely medal contenders.

SEASON’S BESTS: Nembhard – 10.68, Williams – 10.80, Pottinger – 10.93, Blair – 10.96, McKenzie – 11.00.

Janeek Brown

Amoi Brown

80M HURDLES CLASS III Record: Britany Anderson (Vere) – 11.10 (2016) BROWN MOVES FROM SILVER TO GOLD

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L. Brown (Ed.A.) _______________________ C. Morrison (St.J.) _______________________ G. Matthews (Hydel) _______________________ A. Nugent (Xlcr) _______________________ D. Gray (Holm.) _______________________ V. Williams (Hydel) _______________________ V. Brown (Wol.) _______________________ T. Williams (St.J.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Lisandra Brown of Edwin Allen placed second to record breaker Britney Anderson in this event last year. She defeated her rivals at the Central Hurdles and Youngster Goldsmith meets and is now favoured to win the gold medal. Crystal Morrison defeated Brown at Central Champs and believes she can upset the favourite. Last year’s Class IV champion Gabrielle Matthews of Hydel and Corporate champion Ackera Nugent of Excelsior have been performing well all season and are expected to challenge the favourites.

SEASON’S BESTS: L. Brown – 11.27, V. Brown – 11.33, Matthews – 11.37, Morrison – 11.39, Nugent – 11.46, Gray – 11.68, Williams – 11.69.

100M HURDLES CLASS II Record: Peta-Gaye Williams (Camperdown) -13.38 (2013) THE TOP FOUR DIP BELOW THE CHAMP’S RECORD 1.

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B. Anderson (Vere) _______________________ D. Freeman (M.H.S.) _______________________ S. Allison (Holm.) _______________________ R. Lee (Hydel) _______________________ R. Cooper (St.J) _______________________ K. Mcleod (St.J.) _______________________ W. Harris (StETHS) _______________________ T. Rose (Hydel) _______________________

FINALISTS

In possibly the most talented hurdling field that has ever assembled at the Girls’ Championships, Britney Anderson of Vere reigns supreme. In her last two races, she has run 13.18 and 13.21, times that are much faster than the Championship record of 13.39. But it is the quality of the field that makes this event even more interesting. Daszay Freeman of

Britanny Anderson

Manchester is the defending champ in the event, while Shanette Allison who placed third last year is a former Class IV champion.

The new kid on the hurdling block is RayDonna Lee who has defeated Anderson this season. All four ladies are capable of breaking the Championship record and if the wind reading is positive, we may see for the first time, a schoolgirl run sub 13 seconds at the national stadium.

SEASON’S BESTS: Anderson – 13.18, Allison – 13.40, Freeman – 13.44, Lee – 13.50, Cooper – 13.72.

100M HURDLES CLASS I

Record: Peta-Gay Williams (St. Jago) – 13.56 (2015)

BROWN WINS FIRST CHAMPS MEDAL AND BREAKS RECORD 1.

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A. Brown (Vere) _______________________ J. Brown (Wol.) _______________________ G. McDonald (Ed.A.) _______________________ T. Hemmings (Hydel)_______________________ D. Roswell (Vere) _______________________ R. Shaw (Xlcr) _______________________ K. Barnes (StETHS) _______________________ C. Harris (Hydel) _______________________

FINALISTS

Amoi Brown of Vere Technical is this season’s new revelation. She placed fourth in the Class II event last year but has made such a massive improvement this year that she is now the overwhelming favourite not only to win the gold medal, but to break the Class I record.

At the Carifta Trials, she put on a hurdling display, defeating her rivals in the process and ran an astounding 13.33seconds, a time 0.23 faster than the Girls’ Champs record of 13.56.

Gabrielle McDonald of Edwin Allen, Janeek Brown of Wolmer’s and Trishauna Hemmings of Hydel are all former Champs medallists and will be gunning for a medal. Nicolee Foster of Holmwood won the silver medal last year, but may choose to do another event.

SEASON’S BESTS: A. Brown – 13.33, J. Brown – 13.52, McDonald – 13.55, Hemmings – 13.66, Roswell – 13.95, Brissett – 13.99.

LONG JUMP CLASS III Record: Samara Spencer (Hydel) – 6.06m (2012) WHO WILL EMERGE VICTORIOUS? 1.

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A. Smith (Ed.A.) _______________________ A. Lindsay (Alpha) _______________________ N. Robinson (Rus.) _______________________ V. Williams (Hydel) _______________________ B. Sinclair (St.H.) _______________________ S. Jibbson (Holm.) _______________________ S. Neil (Xlcr) _______________________ P. Chambers (Ed.A.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Former Class IV champion Ackelia Smith of Edwin Allen and Aaliyah Lindsay of Alpha are the top long jumpers in this class. At the Youngster Goldsmith meet, Smith easily defeated her rival with a leap of 5.87M. But at the Carifta Trials, Lindsay had her revenge when she defeated Smith and has almost certainly booked her spot on the Carifta team. Hydel’s Velecia Williams and Rusea’s Nia Robinson are the main threats to upset the favourites.

Williams placed second to Smith at Central Champs, while Robinson was an easy winner at Western Champs.

SEASON’S BESTS: Smith – 5.88m, Robinson – 5.82m, Lindsay – 5.73m, Williams – 5.55m, Sinclair – 5.46m, Jibbson – 5.45, Neil – 5.41m.

800M CLASS III Record: Natoya Goule (M.H.S) – 2:09.60 (2006) LAWRENCE AND DWYER RESUME BATTLE 1.

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R. Dwyer (Ed.A.) _______________________ A. Lawrence (Bell.) _______________________ J. McLean (Ed.A.) _______________________ M. Pearce (Hydel) _______________________ C. Cope (Spald.) _______________________ S. Chamberlin (MavB.) _______________________ S. Pryce (Holm.) _______________________ G. White (Hydel) _______________________

FINALISTS

Anneisha Lawrence and Rushana Dwyer are the two top middle distance runners in this Class. At Central Champs, Dwyer defeated Lawrence with both girls showing that they could threaten Natoya Goule’s record of 2:09.60. Shantay Chamberlain of Mavis Bank and Jessica Mclean of Edwin Allen have also been running well but will have to be content with a minor medal.

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Cemore Donald

Chrissani May

Tia & Tina Clayton

Britnie Dixon

SEASON’S BESTS: Dwyer – 2:10.94, Lawrence Over the last three years, Britnie Dixon and – 2:12.59, McLean – 2:15.22, Pearce – 2:16.35, Chrissani May have been two of the top contenders in this event. In 2015, May and Cope – 2:16.93, Chamberlain – 2:17.97.

Dixon placed second and third to middle distance dynamo Junelle Bromfield, but at the 800M CLASS II 2016 Championships, Dixon surprised May on Record: Carlene Robinson (M.H.S.) – 2:07.74 (2001) the line to win a thrilling battle. The Edwin Allen DONALD CONTINUES HER UNBEATEN RUN pair of Moore and Robb placed second and third last year, but neither has shown good form 1. C. Donald (Ed.A.) _______________________ in recent times.

2. S. Foote (Peters.) _______________________ SEASON’S BESTS: May – 2:09.15, Grant –

Kevona Davis will have no challengers for the 200m title. She is not only favoured to win the gold medal, but also to challenge Anneisha McLaughlin’s long standing record of 23.11.

At the Digicel Grand Prix finals, Davis ran 23.32 seconds, the fastest schoolgirl time this year, with Gabriel Matthews of Hydel placing second in 23.78 seconds. Sashieka Steele of Holmwood and Soyinne Grenyion of Mount Alvernia are expected to be competitive in this race.

2:10.41, Dixon – 2:11.12, Shaw – 2:15.49, SEASON’S BESTS: Davis – 23.56, Matthew _______________________

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C. Young (Hydel) B. Campbell (Holm.) _______________________ K. Campbell (Spald.)_______________________ D. Bromfield (Holm.)_______________________ Z. Kerr (Hydel) _______________________ S. Findley (StETHS) ______________________

FINALISTS

Plummer – 2:16.35.

200M CLASS IV

– 24.26, Steele – 24.48, Grenyion – 24.79, Sloley – 24.83, Myles – 24.83.

200M CLASS II

Record: Joanne Reid (St.J.) – 24.21 (2015)

CAN EDWIN ALLEN TWINS HOLD THE TOP SPOTS?

Cemore Donald of Edwin Allen is the 2015 and 2016 Class III champion and is expected to continue her winning streak in Class II. Her quest for a third gold medal in the event will not be an easy one however, because the field is a strong one. Charokee Young of Hydel, Shaquena Foote of Petersfield, Brittney Campbell of Holmwood, and Kimone Campbell of Spaldings are also worthy contenders. At the Carifta Trials meet, Donald had to dig deep to hold off the challenge of Foote and Campbell, while at Central Champs, Young proved her class by placing second to Donald in the event.

All of these ladies have run below 2:10 seconds, a time that would have won at Girls’ Champs most years.

SEASON’S BESTS: Donald – 2:08.55, Foote – 2:08.99, Young – 2:09.41, B. Campbell – 2:09.88, K. Campbell – 2:12.20.

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B. Lyston (St.J.) _______________________ T. Clayton (Ed.A.) _______________________ O. McAnnuff (Hydel) _______________________ T. Clayton (Ed.A.) _______________________ A. James (Peters.) _______________________ S. Belnavis (Hydel) _______________________ K. Shelton (Titch.) _______________________ A. Jamieson (Mgs.) _______________________

FINALISTS

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Record: Anneisha McLaughlin (Holm.) – 23.13 (2002) WILL HARRIOT WIN HER FIRST CHAMPS GOLD?

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The Edwin Allen twins, Tia and Tina Clayton 8.

have had epic battles against Brianna Lyston of St. Jago ever since they competed at primary school. This year will be no different and they will be expected to share the medals. Oneika McAnnuff of Hydel was a revelation at Central Champs when she placed a close second to Lyston. She is now considered a major threat to win the gold medal.

SEASON’S BESTS: Lyston – 24.52, McAnnuff

B. Anderson (Vere) _______________________ M. Harriott (Holm.) _______________________ J. Alfred (St.C.) _______________________ S. English (St.J.) _______________________ K. Shaw (St.J.) _______________________ D. Freeman (M.H.S.) _______________________ K. Nelson (Mt.A.) _______________________ K. Francis (M.H.S.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Michae Harriott of Holmwood won the event at the Carifta Trials meet in a smart 23.71 seconds, making her one of the favourites for the event. Her main rivals are Daszay Freeman, the Manchester sprint hurdler and the St. Jago duo of Kimone Shaw and Shaniel English.

Shaw and English have not been running well this season but have dominated this – 24.58, James – 25.29, Sheldon – 25.31, event in previous Championships. Western Championship gold medallist Kemba Nelson 800M CLASS I Belnavis – 25.34, Lewis – 25.54. placed sixth in the event last year and seeks Record: Kayann Thompson (Ed.A.) – 2:03.75 (2004) to win her first Championship medal. Last DIXON AND MAY RESUME FIGHT FOR MIDDLE 200M CLASS III year’s Carifta silver medallist Britany Anderson DISTANCE SUPREMACY Record: Anneisha McLaughlin (Holm.) – 23.11 (2001) defeated Harriott at the Central Championships THE NEW SENSATION CHALLENGES THE RECORD and is now favoured to win the gold medal.

1. C. May (Holm.) _______________________ SEASON’S BESTS: Harriot – 23.71, Anderson – 2. B. Dixon (Vere) ______________________ 1. K. Davis (Ed.A.) _______________________ 24.12, Nelson – 24.36, Francis – 24.42, English 3. K. Grant (Ed.A.) _______________________ 2. G. Matthews (Hydel) _______________________ – 24.46, Allison – 24.62.

J. Shaw (Spald.)

J. Moore (Ed.A.) S. Masters (Hydel) C. May (Holm.)

K. Downer (St.A.)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

FINALISTS

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S. Steele (St.C.) S. Rowe (Ed.A.) J. Reid (St.J.) S. Grenyion (Mt.A.) G. Clayton (Hydel) A. Nugent (Xlcr)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________

FINALISTS

Patrice Moody

200M CLASS I Record: Simone Facey (Vere) – 22.71 (2004) CAN EDWIN ALLEN WIN THE QUINELLA?

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P. Moody (Ed.A.) _______________________ A. Brissett (St.J.) _______________________ I. Belnavis (Hydel) _______________________ K. Farquharson (Ed.A.) _______________________ K. Hines (Gr.Isl.) _______________________ K. King (Holm.) _______________________ D. Wallace (H.M.) _______________________ C. Irving (Holm.) _______________________

FINALISTS

Edwin Allen has an abundance of riches in this event. Kasheika Cameron, Tamia Campbell, Patrice Moody, Shellece Clark and Khamoy Farquharson are all accomplished sprinters and are capable of winning the gold in this event. However the field is deep with talent and the ever improving Aneika Brissett of St. Jago and Isheena Belnavis of Hydel are also strong favourites to take the top spot. Western Champs gold and silver medallists Debra Wallace of Herbert Morrison and Kimone Hinds of Green Islands are also expected to vie for the top medals. Last year Hinds won the silver medal in this event, but this year, may struggle to get on the medal podium.

SEASON’S BESTS: Brissett – 24.16, Belnavis – 24.17, Wallace – 24.42, Williams – 24.55, Hines – 24.59, Shaw – 24.62.

LONG JUMP CLASS I Record: Chanice Porter (M.H.S.) – 6.52m (2012) HICKLING AND HEMMINGS RENEW RIVALRY

may opt to forego the heptathlon and resume competing in the long jump. Hemmings won this event at the Western Relays and at the Ben Francis Invitational while Hickling won at the Carifta Trials with a massive jump of 6.23m, and bettered that performance with a 6.33m leap at Central Championships.

SEASON’S BESTS: Hickling – 6.39m, Hemmings – 5.91m, McKenzie – 5.83m, Belnavis – 5.80m, Nott – 5.75m.

The Hydel squad is particularly talented with multiple middle distance runners and should get the better of Edwin Allen and Holmwood Technical, their main rivals. The top teams have to be careful however, because less talented teams will withdraw their top athletes from individual running events and place them in the prestigious relay, where they will have a much better chance of winning a Championship title.

3000M OPEN

POINTS SUMMARY BEFORE THE RELAYS WITH 8 FINALS TO GO

Edwin Allen has now accumulated 303 points, 90 points more than second placed Hydel who has scored 213 points. The Edwin Allen victory now seems certain and Hydel, St. Jago and Holmwood have now given up hope of pulling off an upset. St. Jago on 194 points and Holmwood on 169 points are no longer thinking of victory, but are ensuring that they consolidate their third and fourth places. Hydel, St. Jago and Holmwood realise that mishaps in the relays can determine their final position in the Championships, therefore, a dropped baton or a disqualification would be devastating to their respective teams.

Points Summary: Edwin Allen – 303 pts, Hydel – 213 pts, St. Jago – 194 pts, Holmwood – 169 pts, Vere – 127 pts.

Record: Evette Turner (Vere) – 9:48.06 (1992) GREEN RETAINS HER TITLE 1.

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M. Green (Hydel) K. Green (Ed.A.) J. Campbell (Hydel) J. Davis (Ed.A.) K. Plummer (Vere) M. Thompson (Holm.)

S. Reid (Holm.)

J. Davis (Ed.A.)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

Monifa Green of Hydel is the favourite in the event and should retain her title. Her main threat would have been Britnie Dixon of Vere who will be restricted by the new Championship rule and may not do the event.

Kayan Green of Edwin Allen placed second to Dixon at the Carifta Trials and should now be the main threat to the defending champion.

MEDLEY OPEN Kris-Ann Plummer of Vere and Jeima Davis of Record: Edwin Allen – 4:00.47 (2014) Edwin Allen will contend for the minor medals.

HYDEL HOLDS OFF A DETERMINED EDWIN ALLEN SEASON’S BESTS: Dixon – 10:29.57, Green – 10:29.64, Davis –10:44.69, Campbell –10:45.74, 1. Hydel _______________________ Plummer – 10:46.61, Thompson – 10:48.55.

Edwin Allen _______________________ Holmwood Technical _______________________ 4 x 100M CLASS I Spaulding _______________________ Record: Edwin Allen – 44.17 (2014) Vere _______________________ EDWIN ALLEN BEGINS THE DOMINATION OF THE St. Jago High _______________________ SPRINT RELAYS Manchester _______________________ St. Elizabeth Technical _______________________ _______________________

FINALISTS 1. Edwin Allen 2.

Hydel

_______________________ The medley relay is an event comprising reserve 3.

Holmwood Technical _______________________ In 2015, Tissana Hickling of St. Jago won the athletes who were not selected by their schools 4.

St Jago _______________________ to do individual running events.

The teams Class II long jump gold medal while Trishauna with deep squads have a major advantage 5.

Wolmer’s _______________________ Hemmings of Glengoffe had to be satisfied here.

Holmwood, Edwin Allen, Hydel and Vere 6.

Camperdown

_______________________ with the silver medal. Hemmings transferred _______________________ to Hydel in 2016, but did not contest this are the contenders for this relay. They all have 7. Excelsior _______________________ event, preferring to concentrate on the sprint strong middle distance and sprinting squads 8. Herbert Morrison hurdles and heptathlon events. This year she and will be favourites to sweep the medals.

FINALISTS

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T. Hickling (St.J.) _______________________ T. Hemmings (Hydel) _______________________ P. McKenzie (Ed.A.) _______________________ I. Belnavis (Hydel) _______________________ M. Nott (Rus.) _______________________ L. Murray (St.A.) _______________________ T. Cameron (Ed.A.) _______________________ K. Headley (Holm.) _______________________ FINALISTS

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Edwin Allen won this event at the Penn Relays in 2016. All four girls, Kasheika Cameron, Patrice Moody, Shellece Clark and Khamoy Farquharson are now in Class I and are expected to continue their domination of the sprint relays. Their main challengers Holmwood, St. Jago and Hydel, all have strong teams, but are just not fast enough to upset the talented Edwin Allen aggregation.

4 x 100M CLASS II Record: Edwin Allen – 44.88 (2015) HOLMWOOD HOLDS OFF OTHERS 1. Holmwood Technical 2. Hydel 3. St. Jago 4. Vere 5. Edwin Allen 6. Manchester 7. St. Catherine 8. Tacius Golding

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

Led by Carifta Trials 200M U17 champion Michae Harriott, Holmwood Technical won this event at both the Gibson and Milo Western relays. However they were threatened by a very strong Vere Technical team anchored by their super athlete Britany Anderson. Defending champions St. Jago, with outstanding athletes Kimone Shaw and Shaneil English have underperformed this year, but could threaten the top teams for the Championship title.

4 x 100M CLASS III Record: Hydel Group of Schools – 45.33 (2014) THE EDWIN ALLEN TEAM BREAKS THE RECORD 1.

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Edwin Allen Holmwood Technical Excelsior St.Jago St. Catherine Hydel Manchester Camperdown

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

In 2015, this Edwin Allen team broke the Class IV record, running an astounding 46.65 seconds. Last year, the first year Class III girls were again victorious, threatening the record of 45.33. This year, the girls ran 44.91 at the Gibson Relays, becoming the first Class III team to run below 45 seconds. With the ever improving Kevona Davis leading the team, the Championship record will be decimated.

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4 x 100M CLASS IV

4 x 400M OPEN

Record: Edwin Allen – 46.65 (2015)

Record: Vere Technical – 3:30.51 (2013)

EDWIN ALLEN HOLDS THE BATON FOR A WIN 1.

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Edwin Hydel St. Jago Excelsior Holmwood Technical Immaculate Manchester Mt. Alvernia

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

In 2016, the Edwin Allen Class IV team was expected to break the Championship record, but dropped the baton in the heats. This year, the Edwin Allen team showcases the Clayton twins and are expected to dominate their rivals. But at the Gibson Relays, they again dropped the baton while leading the event by a long way. Their main rival will be the Gibson Relay record breaking Hydel team that capitalised on Edwin Allen’s misfortunes. Led

by Oneika McAnnuff and Dejona Simpson the Hydel team expect to also threaten the record. The St. Jago team with top sprinter Brianna Lyston is a very talented team and could surprise the favourites.

HEPTATHLON OPEN Record: Nadina Marsh (St. J) – 5282 points (2004) IN A WATERED DOWN EVENT, HEADLEY AND MCKENZIE FIGHT FOR THE GOLD MEDAL

1. P. McKenzie (Ed.A.) 2. F. Barnes (Vere) 3. K. Headley (Holm.)

4. A. Shaw (Rus.) 5. A. Moore (Hydel) 6. S. Scott (St.J.) 7. Z. Green (Xlcr) 8. N. Henry (BBay)

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

The new rules brought in by ISSA have caused the heptathlon field to be quite weak. Previously, athletes could do four (4) events including the heptathlon, but now any athlete who does the heptathlon can do only one other individual event. The last two champions Champagnie and Fullerton won the heptathlon and also scored heavily in three other events. So the coaches of multi-talented athletes like Hicklng (St. Jago), Salmon (Hydel) and Hemmings (Hydel) will attempt to maximise the points of these athletes and use them in three other events and bypass the heptathlon. Headley and McKenzie were finalists last year, and they will compete for the gold.

HYDEL FINALLY WINS THE MILE RELAY TITLE 1. Hydel 2. Holmwood Technical 3. Vere 4. St. Jago 5. Edwin Allen 6. St. Elizabeth Technical 7. Manchester 8. Petersfield

_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ FINALISTS

The Hydel team has been running well all season and is expected to finally take home the Mile relay title. They placed second to St. Elizabeth Technical last year, but unlike the St. Elizabeth team, they have retained all their top quarter milers. Led by Carifta 400M hurdles champion Shian Salmon and World Junior relay silver medallist Ronisha McGregor, the team is expected to renew battle with their main rivals Holmwood and Vere technical, but this time will come out victorious.

SUMMARY AT THE END OF GIRLS CHAMPS 2017

Edwin Allen has won the coveted Girls’ Championship title for the fourth successive year and their team keeps getting stronger.

They continue to produce Class III and IV sprinters, middle distance runners and quality high and long jumpers. The immediate future looks bright for Edwin Allen’s Championship ambitions.

Their main rivals still have a lot of work to do if they are to mount a serious challenge to Edwin Allen’s dominance. Although St. Jago’s throwers under the guidance of Coach Gayle have shown remarkable improvement, their middle distance program still lags behind and that will need to improve as soon as possible.

Hydel has been particularly hampered by the new ‘two event’ rule and they will need to produce deeper squads in order to have elite athletes in all the events. Holmwood continues to do well on the track, but they will need to improve their field events, especially the jumps and throws. Excelsior are again the urban champions and have increased their points tally this year. At this rate, Excelsior will compete with the top four schools for Championship supremacy.

As is customary we now say goodbye to a few senior athletes who will graduate this year. Tissana Hickling, Aleisha Kelly, Jodian Petrie and Aneka Brissett of St. Jago, Nicolee Foster of Holmwood, Gabrielle McDonald and Patrice Moody of Edwin Allen,Trishauna Hemmings of Hydel will all graduate and we wish them the best in their future endeavours.

Final scores: Edwin Allen – 383 pts, Hydel High – 291 pts, St. Jago – 236 pts, Holmwood – 235 pts, Vere – 156 pts.

C

hamps 2016 was good to the last drop with spine-tingling performances.

Once again, the high drama that was on display supports the view that the key rivals rarely flinch from battles. Calabar High School is still basking in the afterglow of their victory and with five consecutive victories now under their belt, the lumbering giant in local track and field is aiming to add another title to its collections.

The Red Hills Road-based team has remained undeterred this season despite sounds from the critics that their winning dynasty will end at Champs 2017. Hot whispers continue to permeate the air that a new champion will emerge. The world will, no doubt, have a frontline view of this spectacle of an event via live streams. They will get a chance to

LONG JUMP CLASS II

Record: Paul Thompson (Munro) – 7.70m (1998) PURPLE BLAST OFF

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S. Lowe (K. C.) ________________________ W. Pinnock (K.C.) ________________________ T. Johnson (C.H.S.) ________________________ M. Wellington (J.C.) ________________________ L. Reid (C.H.S) ________________________ D. Tomlinson (Gr.Isl.) ________________________ M. Beecher (J.C.) ________________________ J. Christian (Cl.C.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Shaquille Lowe is the only returning finalist from last year having placed sixth with a leap of 6.76m. Two years ago, Lowe produced 7.03m at a development meet and returned this season with another big leap of 7.05m. The latter was done at the Anthwick Corporate Area Development Championships where he edged his team mate, Wayne Pinnock, into second place. Pinnock also went over the 7-meter mark for first time in his career, registering a leap of 7.02m. Both athletes aim to give KC a rollicking start aimed at mounting a serious challenge for the Mortimer Geddes Trophy.

SEASON’S BESTS: Pinnock (K.C.) – 7.25m, Lowe (K.C.) – 7.09m, Tomlinson (Gr.Isl.) – 6.81m, Johnson (C.H.S.) – 6.72m, Reid (C.H.S.) – 6.62m, Wellington (J.C.) – 6.60m, Walter (Cl.C.) – 6.57m, T. Segree (Munro) – 6.55m.

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witness the actions as they unfold, of the College are on a collision course. KC is hottest high school track and field event in making a move to restore lost pride as their this part of the hemisphere. defeat in 2016 was particularly galling. The North Street Team is sublimely confident A litany of changes implemented recently has they will turn the table on the defending now placed greater restrictions on athletes champions. Their long spell in the wilderness participating at Champs. This has set off a serves as a stark reminder that they can illfirestorm of debates in the public spheres. afford to enter Champs with sleep-walkers’ The changes are presumably designed to confidence, instead, would need to dig in thwart exploitive actions against athletes. their heels for the victory.

But they have been met with block wall resistance from a gauntlet of coaches and As fans gear up to shout from the tailpipe, one other mainstream sports purists. A middle of can expect the usual throwing of gibes that the road position has been ostensibly arrived commonly draws good-nature camaraderie. at, but the issue does not appear it will get Join us once again as we journey through total unanimity in the short run. The debates the pages of Boys Champs’ Preview. Read the hot predictions as well as the stimulating therefore rage on. event-by- event commentary of what is From all indications, Calabar and Kingston expected to be unravelled at Champs 2017. gold medal and his 7.30m leap to win at the Camperdown Classics, has provided enough of a Record: Leon Gordon (Vere) – 7.87m (1987) morale booster for him to achieve this.

SILKY SMOOTH AND CONSISTENT SEASON’S BESTS: McLeod (K.C.) – 7.55m, Creary

(Wol.) – 7.30m, Coke (K.C.) – 7.27m, Bogle (C.H.S.) 1. C. McLeod (K.C.) ________________________ – 7.21m, Allen (C.H.S.) – 7.12m, Palmer (Mona) 2. D. Creary (Wol.) ________________________ – 7.04m, McFarlane (K.C.) – 7.03m, Thompson 3. P. Dudley (J.C.) ________________________ (St.G.C.) – 6.99m.

LONG JUMP CLASS I

4.

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D. Bogle (C.H.S.) S. Coke (K.C.) G. Allen (C.H.S.) S.Willis (J.C.) T. Dunn (Munro)

________________________ ________________________ POINTS SUMMARY ON ________________________ WEDNESDAY NIGHT ________________________ KC has predictably raced into the lead and seems ________________________ set to vindicate the experts’ pronouncements

FINALISTS

Carey McLeod has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. The former Garvey Maceo athlete emerged from relative obscurity, becoming a brass ring of an iconic star. Undefeated among his peers for the 2017 track season, McLeod has set the bar extremely high with a string of top draw performances. At the Youngster Goldsmith Athletic Classics, he won with a huge leap of 7.50m ahead of his team mate, Shakwon Coke, who posted 7.05m. He was the best placed schoolboy at the Gibson/McCook Relays when he registered 7.47m. He returned to win convincingly at the Corporate Area Champs to complete a trifecta of victories. Dameon Creary returned to his Heores Circle base after doing a one year stint at KC. A fourth-place finisher last year, he is set to mount a challenge for the

that a post to post victory is on the cards. On 29 points after two events, the North Streetbased school is determined to ease the long spell of relatively flat performances that have kept them in the wilderness since their 2009 victory. Coach Neil Harrison believes he has found the winning formula and the unabated dominance of his charges this season, is the smoking-gun evidence that victory may become a reality for the purples. Calabar is currently in a better position than they were last year at this juncture, which should bode their chance well to successfully defend their title.

Points Summary: K.C. [29pts] C.H.S. [18pts] J.C. [15pts] St. J. [0pts]

Roje Stona

DISCUS CLASS I

Record: Travis Smikle (C.H.S.) – 66.88m (2011) VICTORY IS JUST A ‘STONA’ THROW AWAY 1.

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R. Stona (St.J.) ________________________ K. Nedrick (Peters.) ________________________ G. Cyrus (J.C.) ________________________ P. Barnett (Xlcr) ________________________ K. Mitchell (C.H.S.) ________________________ D. Cope (Peters.) ________________________ C. Graham (Mead.) ________________________ Z. Campbell (K.C.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Travis Smikle’s record may not be in jeopardy of being broken, but the event is shaping up to be one of the dramatic stories of Champs.

Although it must be said that Roje Stona is the prohibitive favourite for the gold medal, it may not come as a surprise if Kevin Nedrick, Gordon Cyrus or Phillip Barnett steals the show. Throughout the season there have been awe-inspiring performances from key rivals, particularly the little-known Cyrus. Behind Stona, the top eight listed here have traded places in the winners’ circle. Stona boasts six victories during the season but none more special than the 60-meter throw at the Carifta Trials, which would have stunned him and fans alike. His 60.50m evokes memory of Smikle’s venture in the then virgin 60-meter territories in 2011 before he eventually broke the Champs’ record.

SEASON’S BESTS: Stona (St.J.) – 60.50m, Nedrick (Peters.) – 59.70m, Cyrus (J.C.) – 56.37m, Cope (Peters.) – 54.42m, Barnett (Xlcr) – 53.80m, Mitchell (C.H.S.) – 52.83m, Campbell (K.C.) – 52.58m, Graham (Mead.) – 51.46m.

SHOT PUT CLASS II

Record: Ashina Miller (C.H.S.) – 17.41m (2009) VICTORY IS THE NEW NORM 1.

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C. Brown (Peters.) ________________________ A. Symilie (Ed.A.) ________________________ N. Cockett (K.C.) ________________________ D. Brown (Gr.Isl.) ________________________ N. Reid (C.C.) ________________________ T. Tate (Peters.) ________________________ G. Duffus (K.C.) ________________________ J. Edwards (J.C.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Shane Buchanan Last year Daniel Cope and Courtney Lawrence placed first and third respectively in this event to again put Petersfield in the spotlight. New kid on the block Christopher Brown has now positioned himself to bring more glory to the school, clearly confirming that the school’s success in the throws is not a flash in the pan.

Brown has been dominant all season and the distances he produces are of gold medal quality.

His most important victories came at Western Champs and at the STETHS invitational, where he threw 15.49m and 15.27m respectively. In fact, he is very consistent over the 15-meter mark this season. Anthony Symilie, with a heave of 15.02m, is the only other athlete to achieve this feat.

SEASON’S BESTS: Brown (Peters.) – 15.49m, Symile (Ed.A.) – 15.02m, D. Brown (Gr.lsl.) – 14.98m, Cockett (K.C.) – 14.90m, Reid (C.C.) – 14.87m, Tate (Peters.) – 14.38m, Duffus (K.C.) – 14.07m, Edwards (J.C.) – 13.57m.

DECATHLON OPEN Record: Shakiel Chattoo (C.H.S.) – 6,988 pts. (2015) CAMPBELL REIGNS SUPREME 1.

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L. Campbell (C.H.S)________________________ P. Barnett (Xlcr) ________________________ D. Thames (K.C.) ________________________ W. Fenelon (J.C.) ________________________ K. Shaw (Munro) ________________________ S. Brown (Mus.) ________________________ D. Clayton (Peters.) ________________________ R. Smith (Rhodes) ________________________

FINALISTS

Four of last year’s top finishers at Champs return to resume rivalry including Asani Hylton, who copped the bronze medal. He has been missing in action at most of the development meets this year, fuelling speculations about whether he will turn up at Champs. The picture is not clearer with Corvel Wooden. Like Hylton, it is not clear whether he will face the starters, as there was hardly any sighting of him in competition. The event was already robbed of its competitiveness due to the early departure of last year’s winner, Marcus Brown. He gave up his eligibility to compete at Champs in order to start college. It is however not void of quality and this should be on display over the first two days of Champs.

Returning residents, Lafranz Campbell and Donovan Thames, are seasoned campaigners,

who are expected to joust for the edge in each of the disciplines in the multi-events.

HIGH JUMP CLASS III

Record: Lamar Reid (C.H.S.) – 1.99m (2015) VICTORY TIPS GIVEN TO MCLEOD 1.

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S. McLeod (K.C.) C. Ottey (C.H.S.) K. Thomas (St.J.) T. Wheatley (Wol.) B. Blaine (K.C.) B. Blaine (C.H.S.) T. Wheatley (St.J.) M. Gordon (Ard.)

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

FINALISTS

Two of KC’s many victories in this event came back to back in 2000 and 2001. Andre Wellington, a revered sprinter back then, won this event in Class 3 both years and then retired it. Fast track to 2017, Scott McLeod looks to duplicate Wellington’s victory. Interestingly, Wellington is part of the KC’s jumps set up providing assistance to Scott. Standing in the way of McLeod are Corey Ottey and Kymani Thomas. Both athletes’ performances have been on the upswing. They have scaled 1.75m before and must be confident that the Gold Medal is within their grasps. The rest of the field thins out behind these three, 1.70m being the next best height already cleared by Jerome Campbell, Shane York and Byam Blaine.

SEASON’S BESTS: Mcleod (K.C.) – 1.80m, Thomas (St.J.) – 1.75m, Ottey (C.H.S.) – 1.75m, York (St.J.) – 1.70m, Campbell (C.H.S.) – 1.70m, Seaton (K.C.) – 1.70m, Blaine (K.C.) – 1.70m, Shaw (J.C.) – 1.65m.

2000M STEEPLE CHASE OPEN Record: Thaleetio Green (St J) 5:53.14 (2016) BUCHANAN EYES RECORD 1.

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S. Buchanan (K.C.) ________________________ D. Robinson (StETHS)________________________ R. Mundle (Bell.) ________________________ J. Palmer (St.J.) ________________________ S. Onfroy (Holm.) ________________________ D. McDonald (C.H.S.) ________________________ K. Smith (Wol. ________________________ M.McFarlane (Rhodes) ________________________

FINALISTS

Kevin Nedrick

Carey McLeod The best laid plan gets shafted at times but the Kingston College machinery is seemingly working to perfection. With the first two gold medals expected to be in the bag for the Purples, Shane Buchanan’s mission is not only to mine gold but also to rewrite the record set last year. Third in the event last year, in which the first three went under the record, Buchanan starts as the howling favourite. He has only competed in the event once this season but his wealth of experience in the event coupled with his current level of fitness, makes him very difficult to beat at Champs. The chase is on for the other medals and it is an interesting one, as several newbies are set to duke it out. Not many races have been contested to date, however, it is safe to give the nod for the lesser medals to Denver Robinson and Shaquille Onfroy based on their season’s bests.

SEASON’S BESTS: Buchanan (K.C.) – 6:04.53, Mundle (Bel.) – 6:11.97, Onfroy (Holm.) – 6:14.60, Palmer (St.J.) – 6:15.37, Robinson (StETHS) – 6:17.17, Smith (Wol.) – 6:22,28, McFarlane (Rhodes.) – 6:27.61, McDonald (C.H.S.) – 6:27.68.

POINTS SUMMARY ON THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER 7 FINALS

At the conclusion of competition on day two and after 7 finals, both KC and Calabar have established a wide margin on the rest of the teams. KC on 68 points, has what appears to be an unassailable lead. Calabar on 47 points, would obviously feel they are within striking distance, ready to pounce at any time. They are confidently awaiting the all-important lift that usually comes particularly on the Friday of Champs straight through to Saturday, at which time the team usually goes into overdrive. Calabar’s coach, Michael Clarke, is aware of the depth of KC and would have his counter strategies in place to prevent them from widening the margin of lead on his team.

He, no doubt, believes that his team is equally well-rounded with the firepower to make it six in arrow.

Points Summary: K.C. [68pts] C.H.S. [47pts] J.C. [28pts] St. Jago [22pts]

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Lushane Wilson

LONG JUMP CLASS III

Record: Paul Thompson (Munro) – 6.97m (1996) CALABAR FLEX MUSCLES 1.

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N. Brown (C.H.S.) ________________________ J. Turner (C.H.S.) ________________________ J. Brooks (J.C.) ________________________ S. McLeod (K.C.) ________________________ O. Reid (Bel.) ________________________ N. Johnson (Ard.) ________________________ O. Israel (Gleng.) ________________________ B. Nkrumie (K.C.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Nicholloyd Brown and Jordon Turner quickly nullified the KC jumpers from early in the season and then maintained the advantage thereafter. The young Calabar duo has been on the rampage in the pit this season. Brown has hardly put a foot wrong, conquering all before him with great consistency. His lone defeat came at the McKenley/Wint Classics when he lost to his team mate, Luke Brown. Nicholloyd has leapt beyond 6m no fewer than five occasions with his best leap of 6.34m coming at the Corporate Area Champs. He defeated Scott McLeod, who improved his season’s best to 6.22m. Jordon Turner has the longest jump of 6.39m done at the Camperdown Classics, which means it is not done and dusted for Nicholloyd Brown.

SEASON’S BESTS: Turner (C.H.S.) – 6.39m, Brown (C.H.S.) – 6.34m, McLeod (K.C.) – 6.22m, Brooks (J.C.) – 6.14m, L. Brown (C.H.S.) – 5.95m, Nkrumie (K.C.) – 5.90m, Johnson (Ard.) – 5.88m, O. Israel (Gleng.) – 5.83m.

POLE VAULT OPEN

Record: Xavier Boland (K.C.) – 4.46m (2011) SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS 1.

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D. Smith (J.C.) ________________________ D. Thames (K.C.) ________________________ W. Fenelon (J.C.) ________________________ J. Parchment (C.H.S.) ________________________ P. Barnett (Xlcr) ________________________ L. Campbell (C.H.S.)________________________ C. Thompson (Mona) ________________________ T. Thompson (K.C.)________________________

FINALISTS

The pole-vaulters have hardly got into their grooves and voila Champs 2017 is suddenly upon them. Competitions in this event were virtually non-existent during the season. The

event was sparsely contested relative to previous years because of the unavailability of the polevault equipment at development meets.

Despite this, however, the standards appear to be improving at the base, as there were close to ten athletes who vaulted 3 meters or better this season. Only Dean Smith has shown real signs that he can match his winning predecessors, most of who would have breached the fourmeter barrier. The limber pole-vaulter has done 4.20m in competition this season and is not only certain of winning the gold medal but also determined to challenge the record. Donovan Thames produced 3.60m at the Carifta Trials but he may have to contend with fending off the challenges from Jevaughn Parchment and Wilkenson Fenelon for the silver medal, as Smith seems unbeatable at Champs.

SEASON’S BESTS: Smith (J.C.) – 4.20m, Thames (K.C.) – 3.60m, Parchment (C.H.S.) – 3.50m, Betton (C.H.S.) – 3.50m, Fenelon (J.C.) – 3.50m, M. Palmer (J.C.) – 3.30m, Dacosta (J.C.) – 3.30m, Campbell (C.H.S.) – 3.30m.

TRIPLE JUMP CLASS I

Record: Obrien Wasome (J.C.) – 16.39m (2016) MCLEOD AIMS AT RECORD

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C. McLeod (K.C.) ________________________ G. Allen (C.H.S.) ________________________ O. Owens (C.C.) ________________________ T. Dunn (Munro) ________________________ M. Cunningham (J.C.) ________________________ A. Douglas (J.C.) ________________________ L. Wilson (St.J.) ________________________ D. Creary (Wol.) ________________________

FINALISTS

After a slew of blockbuster performances at Champs 2016, where the record exited the books in fine style, a mild sense of calm has returned to this event. Last year, four jumpers leapt beyond 15 meters, two of whom garnered distances over 16 meters. The season so far has produced a clear favourite in Carey McLeod, who in his season opener, registered 15.69m to win at the Queen’s Grace Jackson Meet. He later secured a position on the Carifta team after winning the U20 category. The gap between himself and the field has narrowed as Western champion, Owayne Owens, and runner, Tevin Dunn, have both cut the sands with 15.16m and 15.06m respectively. They will battle the winner of the Corporate Champs, Gabriel Allen, for a spot on the podium.

Jeremy Farr

Aryamanya Rodgers & Kimar Farquharson Keenan Lawrence Gianni & Giovanni Henry

SEASON’S BESTS: McLeod (K.C.) – 15.59m, Owens (C.C.) – 15.16m, Allen (C.H.S.) – 15.12m, Dunn (Munro) – 15.06m, L. Wilson (St.J.) – 14.81m, Willis (J.C.) – 14.77m, T. Wilson (K.C.) – 14.72m, Hyde (Munro) – 14.61m.

1500M CLASS III

Record: Jauavney James (St.E.T.H.S.) – 4.14.51 (2013) KC’S TWIN-ENGINE FIRES FROM ALL CYLINDERS 1.

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G. Henry (K.C.) ________________________ G. Henry (K.C.) ________________________ J. Blake (J.C.) ________________________ C. Chambers (St.J.) ________________________ O. Windeth (Spald.)________________________ R. Reynado (C.H.S.)________________________ K. Fletcher (C.H.S.) ________________________ C. Johnson (Camp.) ________________________

FINALISTS

1500M CLASS II Record: Keenan Lawrence (St.J.) – 3:57.28 (2016) SOMETHING SPECIAL IN STORE 1.

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A. Rodgers (K.C.) ________________________ K. Farquarson (C.H.S.) ________________________ K. Venson (C.H.S.) ________________________ R. Fullerton (Munro) ________________________ R. Johnson (St.J.) ________________________ T. Rhoden (K.C.) ________________________ D. Mason (StETHS) ________________________ D. Gray (Spald.) ________________________ FINALISTS

Last year Keenan Lawrence erased Bellefield’s Kemoy Campbell’s record in a solid display of sheer endurance of speed. Fast track a year later to 2017 and Lawrence’s record itself may not even last beyond these Championships.

Aryamanya Rodgers, KC’s import from Uganda, is already targeting it with supreme verve. The race is one of the anticipated events at Champs for more reasons than one. While Rodgers has been dominant in this event, he is yet to face the determined Calabar duo of Kimar Farquharson and Kevroy Venson. The two are on target to join Rodgers under the 4:00.00s-barrier and the signs were evident at the Youngster Goldsmith meet, where both won their respective heats in contrasting styles. One thing for sure is that when Rushane Fullerton, Reynard Johnson and Tarees Rhoden line up beside the aforementioned big three, fans will be in for a treat.

In another sub plot, Calabar and KC will go head to head for that psychological edge.

SEASON’S BESTS: Rodgers (K.C.) – 3:59.59, Venson (C.H.S.) – 4:03.75, Johnson (St.J.) – 4: 03.90, Fullerton (Munro) – 4:04.41, Farquharson (C.H.S.) – 4:06.97, Rhoden (K.C.) – 4:07.06, Gray (Spald.) – 4:09.09, Taylor (Wol.) – 4:16.25.

At the 1966 Champs, Nigel and Brian Parke of Jamaica College won the 880 yards, becoming the first set of twins to place first and second in the history of the event. Almost 50 years later, KC is poised to duplicate the feat. Gianni and Giovanni Henry have a date with history to deliver the gold and silver medals in the modern version of the event. The Henry twins have bags of confidence that’s set to take them places. Where they have gone this season, they have been undefeated. At the McKenley/Wint Classics, the KC pair produced near identical times. Gianni won in 4:24.49s in the timed finals while Giovanni produced 4:24.97s for second place. The sternest competition has come from J’Voughn Blake at the Camperdown Classics and again at the Corporate Area Champs. But Blake was disqualified in the latter although he was first to the tape. Blake tussled with Gianni down the homestretch and was later adjudged 1500M CLASS I to have committed an infringement.

Record: Kemoy Campbell (Bel) – 3:45.54 (2010) SEASON’S BESTS: Henry (K.C.) – 4:23.79, Blake ‘RUSEAN’ ‘STATES’ CLAIM ON TITLE (J.C.) – 4:24.05, Henry (K.C.) – 4:24.49, Chambers (St.J.) – 4:33.00, Reynardo (C.H.S.) – 4:35.31, Windett (Spald.) – 4:35.78, Lisle (K.C.) – 4:36.48, 1. A. Colley (Rus.) ________________________ 2. K. Lawrence (St.J.) ________________________ Taffe (K.C.) – 4:38.06.

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This event is replete with talent and has the potential to produce heart-pounding suspense, as no clear favourite has emerged. Fourth last year in the event, the marauding Akeem Colley with PR of 3:54.50 done at the Carifta Trials, has assumed the pre-eminence having raced undefeated all season. Riding on the wave of success from his Western Champs victory, he prevailed over a field including the seniors in the one-mile event at the prestigious Gibson/ McCook Relays. He will square off with the former Class II champion and record holder, Keenan Lawrence, who held the fastest time among the contenders with his 3:57.28s prior to the Carifta Trials. Jevan-Taye Williams is the reigning silver medallist from last year but will be hard-pressed to medal this time around.

Leon Clarke of St Jago and Kristoffe Darby are the other returning finalists.

SEASON’S BESTS: Colley (Rus.) – 3:54.50, Salmon (StETHS) – 3:54.81, Lawrence (St.J.) – 3:56.26, Buchanan (K.C.) – 3:58.50, Elliot (K.C.) – 4:00.28, Williams (C.H.S.) – 4:00.88, Darby (K.C.) – 4:01.11, Reid (Spot.V.) – 4:01.97.

400M HURDLES CLASS II Record: New Event THE EVENT HAS COME A ‘FARR’ WAY 1.

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J. Farr (Wol.) ________________________ B. Senior (Rus.) ________________________ D. Williams (K.C.) ________________________ D. Henry (C.H.S.) ________________________ J. Parkes (StETHS) ________________________ A. Whitelock (C.H.S.) ________________________ D. Archer (Xlcr) ________________________ D. Edmondson (Wol.) _______________________

FINALISTS

This is a new event added to the list of 41 and numbered among the plethora of changes implemented by ISSA for the 2016/2017 track and field season. The change to include this event has fomented a gnawing unease among the schools’ aficionados because it was considered ill-timed. The school of thought peddled by some coaches is that not enough S. Salmon (StETHS) ________________________ time would have been given to allow for the T. Reid (SpotV.) ________________________ adequate introduction of the event to the J. Williams (C.H.S.)________________________ athletes. The results posted so far are sub-par K. Darby (K.C.) ________________________ and the dead rubber match ups are already D. Robinson (StETHS) ________________________ aplenty. Sprint hurdles medal hopeful, N. Elliott (K.C.) ________________________ Jeremy Farr and the inconsistent, FINALISTS

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Sachin Dennis

Xavier Nairne

Daveon Williams have run 54.17s and 54.60s respectively, sending some signals that the event may produce an eye-catching time. The medals could however be snatched by those currently under the radar.

SEASON’S BEST: Farr (Wol.) – 54.17m, Williams (K.C.) – 54.60m, Henry (C.H.S) – 55.33m, Parkes (StETHS) – 55.33m, Senior (Rus.) – 55.54m, Leslie (C.H.S) – 56.50, James (J.C.) – 55.74, Brown (St.J.) – 56.11.

400M HURDLES CLASS 1

Record: Jaheel Hyde (Wol.) – 49.01 (2015) BARRETT LANDS GOLD FOR MONK STREET 1.

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T. Barrett (St.J.) ________________________ A. Francis (C.H.S.) ________________________ J. James (StETHS) ________________________ L. Ledgister (StETHS) ________________________ M. James King (C.H.S.) ________________________ M. Smith (J.C.) ________________________ R. Williams (Rhodes) ________________________ R. Lindo (Vere) _______________________

FINALISTS As the top protagonists tee up for battle, a lot of attention will be placed on the time piece to see if a sub-50.00 seconds is in the making. Jauavney James returns to defend his title and one would think it will be a cinch but the form chart seems to suggest otherwise. James has been a shadow of himself in his many outings to date, casting doubts on the likelihood that the gold medal will remain in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth. Timor Barrett is by contrast, oozing the type of confidence that is difficult to ignore. Unbeaten this season, Barrett is on a mission to unseat James en route to securing his first Champs gold medal. The field is of great depth and any mistake made can prove costly. Aykeem Francis and Maliek Smith are the returning finalists, who must not be discounted.

SEASON’S BESTS: Barrett (St.J.) – 51.49s, Dyer (StETHS) – 51.84s, Williams (Rhodes) – 52.40s, James-King (C.H.S.) – 52.40s, Lindo (Vere.) – 52.96s, Francis (C.H.S.) – 53.32s, Dixon (C.H.S.) 53.33s, Smith (J.C.) – 53.56s.

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Akeen Colley

100M CLASS III

Record: Jhevaughn Matherson (K.C.) – 10.85 (2013) THE RECORD STAYS AT NORTH STREET 1.

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T. Stenneth (K.C.) ________________________ A. Kerr (K.C.) ________________________ K. Cook (Gr.Is.) ________________________ V. Vascianna (St.J.) ________________________ M. Johnson (Xlcr) ________________________ J. Birthwright (J.C.) ________________________ J. Barron (C.H.S.) ________________________ T. Smith (C.H.S.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Since Jhevaughn Matherson set the Class 3 record in 2013, a number of the subsequent winners have come within range of breaking it. Some were denied by unfavourable wind conditions while others by not putting out full effort. Terrique Stenneth has a glorious chance of re-writing the record book, particularly if he is given competition. Fourth at Champs last year, Stenneth has shown testicular fortitude to shrug off an early season set back when he suffered a heartburn defeat at the hands of Taraj Smith. He is now the howling favourite, having posted 11.19s this season and now shows an air of confidence that makes us believe he is close to rewriting his teammate’s record.

SEASON’S BESTS: Stenneth (K.C.) – 11.19, Scott (Rus.) –11.20, Kerr (K.C.) – 11.27, Cook (Gr.Isl.) – 11.32, Birthwright (J.C.) – 11.36, Johnson (Xclr) – 11.40, Barron (C.H.S.) – 11.43, Clarke (K.C.) – 11.48.

100M CLASS II Record: Raheem Chambers (C.H.S) – 10.29 (2014) DENNIS’ UNPAID DUES 1.

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S. Dennis (StETHS) ________________________ X. Nairne (Wol.) ________________________ M. Everett (J.C.) ________________________ C. Stewart (C.H.S.) ________________________ R. Young (C.H.S.) ________________________ O. Peart (K.C.) ________________________ C. Campbell (Xlcr) ________________________ J. Douglas (J.C.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Last year’s winner of the Class III event, Sachin Dennis, has no intention of paying any dues having gone up to Class II. It is tempting to concur particularly when one considers the staggering 10.66s he posted at the Youngster Goldsmith Athletic Classics to win the timed-

finals. It will however not be a walk in the park for him based on some of the recent performances from the chief contenders. This event is shaping up to be a real barnburner especially when one stops to imbibe the fast times produced by Malachi Everette, Rosean Young and Xavier Nairne. The athletes have done 10.66s, 10.68s and 10.69s respectively, which sets up a mouthwatering final not to be missed.

SEASON’S BESTS: Nairne (Wol.) – 10.58, Dennis (StETHS) – 10.66, Everett (J.C.) – 10.66, Young (C.H.S.) – 10.68, C. Stewart (C.H.S.) – 10.69, Peart (K.C.) – 10.78, J. Crooks (Irwin) – 10.78, A. Bent (Wm.Kn.) – 10.80.

100M CLASS I

Record: Zharnel Hughes (K.C.) – 10.12 (2014) SHOW TIME!!!

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J. Matherson (K.C.) ________________________ M. Stephens (C.H.S.) ________________________ D. Russell (C.H.S.) ________________________ A. Smith (St.C.) ________________________ D. Dunkley (J.C.) ________________________ A. Morrison (St.J.) ________________________ M. Brown (C.C.) ________________________ O. McPherson (Gr.Pt.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Very rarely Calabar and KC produce athletes who are simultaneous frontrunners for the gold medal in this event. Spectators are agog to see the outcome of this encounter. Jhevaughn Matherson made a forlorn attempt to out stride Tyreke Wilson in a 200m match up in his final year in Class 2 at Champs, failing to complete the race in the process. He has had a handful of victories over his main rivals from Calabar in the sprints, all occurring outside of Champs except during his glory days in Class 3. Matherson has busted his chops this season preparing to cross swords with his nemesis but words out on the road is that Michael Stephens and Dejour Russell lay in wait to ambush the purple warrior. Not much is seen of the Calabar duo over the distance but there are hot whispers that Matherson’s 10.25s done at the Carifta Trials will not be enough to take the gold medal.

SEASON’S BESTS: Matherson (K.C.) – 10.25, Stephens (C.H.S.) – 10.37. Walker (St.G.C.) – 10.37, Morrison (St.J.) – 10.46, Smith (St.C.) – 10.50, D. Gray (Wol.) – 10.52, D. Dunkley (J.C.) – 10.52, T. Wilson (C.H.S.) – 10.57, M. Scott (Xlcr) – 10.57.

Antonio Watson

Kevin Nedrick

POINTS SUMMARY ON FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER 18 FINALS

The much-anticipated Friday has come and past and an interesting development in the points standings is unfolding. Calabar (144pts) trails KC (157pts) by 13 points. Both teams well over 100 points, a scenario we have not witnessed in quite a while. The antecedent points standings would show the three big teams being closely bunched within the ball park of a 100 points. Last year only 13 points separated KC, JC, and Calabar going into Saturday’s final day at Champs. Without the familiar ‘nipping and tucking’ Champs 2017 could very well be anti-climactic. KC fans are already having a heady experience. They hold a grudge against their green and black rivals, particularly as a result of their punishing victories for the past five seasons and are relishing the thoughts of the trophy winging its way back to North Street.

Points Summary: K.C. [157pts] C.H.S. [144pts] J.C. [79pts] St. J. [57pts]

JAVELIN OPEN Record: Devon Spence (StETHS) 64.08m (2014) NEDRICK HOMES IN ON ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL 1.

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K. Nedrick (Peters.) ________________________ A. Denton (K.C.) ________________________ D. Gordon (Peters.) ________________________ R. Carby (Munro) ________________________ S. Coke (K.C.) ________________________ H. Williams (MaudM) ________________________ E. Dillion (M.H.S.) ________________________ B. Robinson (StETHS) ________________________

FINALISTS

The much-vaunted Kevin Nedrick won the silver medal in this event last year and has been consistently ahead of his opponents at the various development meets. He is the only athlete to go beyond the 60-meter mark this season. Last year, Nedrick produced 59.03m at Champs. This year he threw 60.85m to win at the Youngster Goldsmith Athletic Classics and later captured the Western Champs title with a toss of 53.70m. Aval Denton defeated Nedrick at the Big Shot Meet registering 57.02m to Nedrick’s 56.68m. Nedrick will have to shoulder the workload for his school, competing in three throwing events and may report to the event jaded. Denton on the other hand, will only have

Timor Barrett Christopher Taylor this event to do at Champs. Shakwon Coke, 400M CLASS II competing in his first Javelin competition on Record: Christopher Taylor (C.H.S.) – 46.33 (2016) the road, defeated Denton with a creditable NO PETERING OUT distance of 54. 87m. He, along with the recent U20 winner at the Carifta Trials, Devonery 1. A. Watson (Peters.) ________________________ Gordon, may spring a surprise and upstage the 2. J. Powell (Ed.A.) ________________________ more fancied Nedrick and Denton.

3. N. Henry (C.H.S.) ________________________ SEASON’S BESTS: Nedrick (Peters.) – 60.85m, 4. K. Simpson (M.H.S.) ________________________ Denton (K.C.) – 57.55m, Gordon (Peters.) – 5. S. Brown (K.C.) ________________________ 57.09m, Coke (K.C.) – 54.76m, Carby (Munro) – 6. S. Davis (St.J.) ________________________ 54.49m, Thames (K.C.) – 53.82m, Swaby (K.C.) 7. Z. Brown (Gleng.) ________________________ – 52.68m, Madden (Bel.) – 48.94.

400M CLASS III

Record: Christopher Taylor (C.H.S.) – 48.70 (2014) MALVERN DISTRICT GOES BONKERS! 1.

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R. Scott (Rus.) T. Roberts (C.H.S.) T. Gardener (Munro) B. Clarke (K.C.) D. Heywood (Munro) B. Roach (Lac.) S. Taylor (M.H.S) J. Clarke (K.C.)

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

FINALISTS

Entering the 2017 season, many fans were relishing the thoughts of seeing last year silver medallist, Devontae Heywood, put on a giltedge performance at Champs. But hopes of this becoming a reality faded like a spark in a thunderstorm. Heywood suffered a major injury set back that ruled him out of most of the actions for this season. The Munro camp must now be cautiously optimistic about the possibility of him recovering in time to don the school’s colours. His team mate, Tajay Gardener, has been carrying the torch for Munro in the event and has enjoyed a great deal of success doing so.

Gardener however suffered a numbing defeat to Raheim Scott at Western Champs, both clocking 51.95s and 51.06s respectively. Tajay Roberts and Bjorn Clarke have also dipped below 52 seconds this season and may upset the applecart.

SEASON’S BESTS: Scott (Rus.) – 51.06, Taylor (M.H.S.) – 51.69, Roberts (C.H.S.) – 51.73, Clarke (K.C.) – 51.86, Gardener (Munro) – 51.95, Jadoo (Gr.Port.) – 52.20 J. Clarke (K.C.) – 52.37, J. Linton (J.C.) – 52.53.

8. S.Whitethorne (C.H.S.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Tabbed favourite for the gold medal, Anthony Watson, false started at last year’s Champs while competing in Class 3. The race became a drab affair as KC’s Shantamoi Brown ran a mock of the field to win. Watson will be careful this time around not to throw caution to the wind. Based on current form, he should have a well-deserved redemption. At the Carifta Trials recently, he performed with gusto, dropping an eye-popping 47.08s to topple a strong field in the U18 one lap event. He left in his wake the talented Jevaughn Powell, who placed third in the event in a smart 47.26s. The result of this encounter now tips the scale in both athletes’ favour for the gold and silver medals. It will no doubt inspire their opponents to step up their performances.

SEASON’S BESTS: Watson (Peters.) – 47.08, Powell (Ed.A.) – 47.26, Henry (C.H.S.) – 48.91, Simpson (M.H.S.) – 49.02, Z. Brown (Gleng.)

– 49.10, Davis (St.J.) – 49.15, S. Brown (K.C.) – 49.24, Taylor (Peters.) – 49.46

400M CLASS I Record: Akeem Bloomfield (K.C.) – 44.93 (2015) BLOOMFIELD’S RECORD IS UNDER THREAT 1.

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C. Taylor (C.H.S.) ________________________ D. Morris (K.C.) ________________________ M. Smith (BPort) ________________________ A. Carpenter (C.H.S.) ________________________ R. Lindo (Vere) ________________________ T. Bryan (K.C.) ________________________ D. Ellington (Peters.) ________________________ L. Legister (StETHS)________________________

FINALISTS

After a bee-hive of activities last year where Christopher Taylor

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Alex Robinson

Dejour Russell

ran roughshod over all-comers, he uncharacteristically soft-pedalled into the 2017 season. Spectators were on tenterhooks having not seen the redoubtable quarter mile prodigy in competition. Questions and doubts swirled around, about his state of readiness for Champs and then emerged the four-time gold medallist of 2016 Champs. Competing at the Carifta Trials recently, he heralded his arrival by literally pulverizing his counterparts in the U18 division of the 400m to continue the dominance he left off during the 2016 season. In winning the race, he stopped the clock in 45.41s, a country mile ahead of Dashawn Morris, who himself produced a lifetime best in 46.67s. No one is brave to bet against Taylor, however, the claim on the silver medal is not a forgone conclusion for Morris as Malik Smith is on the cusp of breaking the 46-seconds barrier and will be a live threat.

SEASON’S BESTS: Taylor (C.H.S.) – 45.41, Morris (K.C.) – 46.67, Smith (BPort) – 46.99, Lindo (Vere) – 47.18, Carpenter (C.H.S.) – 47.28, S. Chambers (C.H.S.) – 47.44, T. Jackson (G.Mac.) – 47.63, Q. Wright (StETHS) – 47.69.

100M HURDLES CLASS III

Record: Kamali Simpson (St. J.) – 13.10 (2013) ST. JAGO BOYS TO DELIGHT FANS 1.

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J. Granville (St.J.) ________________________ J. Campbell (C.H.S.) ________________________ V. Vascianna (St.J.) ________________________ D. Pinnock (Xlcr) ________________________ T. Lee (K.C.) ________________________ T. Francis (K.C.) ________________________ D. Lamb (C.H.S.) ________________________ C. Baghaloo (StETHS) ________________________ FINALISTS

The quality in this event is without question. The young sprint hurdlers have been duking out battles amongst themselves fearlessly, which speaks to their mettle. Pride of place is set to go to Javel Granville, not because of consistency but for owning the season’s best time of 13.41s.

Keep in mind that the record stands at 13.10s.

The depth of the field provides the right catalyst for fast times. Truth be told, Granville’s only victories came at the McKenley/Wint Meet and the Youngster Goldsmith Athletic Classics.

Although most of the main protagonists were present at the latter, it perhaps would still

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not provide him with the greatest of confidence boosters as any card can play when the field is this competitive. Timothy Lee and Jerome Campbell have had at least one important victory apiece with Campbell’s most recent victory coming at the Isaac Henry Meet.

SEASON’S BESTS: Granville (St.J.) – 13.41, Francis (K.C.) – 13.71, Campbell (C.H.S.) – 13.76, Lee (K.C.) – 13.91, Lamb (C.H.S.) – 13.98, Simmonds (Xlcr) – 13.98, N. Brown (C.H.S.) – 14.11, Pinnock (Xlcr) – 14.36.

110M HURDLES CLASS II

110M HURDLES CLASS I Record: Omar McLeod (K.C.) – 13.24 (2013) CALABAR FLUSHED WITH MEDALS 1.

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D. Russell (C.H.S.) ________________________ A. Robinson (Wol.) ________________________ O. Bennett (C.H.S.) ________________________ P. Lemonious (J.C.) ________________________ R. Broadbell (St.J.) ________________________ O. Bernard (J.C.) ________________________ P. Beckford (K.C.) ________________________ A. Cargill (K.C.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Record: Michael O’Hara (C.H.S.) – 13.45 (2013) When the field assembles for the start of Dejour Russell (C.H.S.) – 13.45 (2016) the event, Dejour Russell’s opponents may consider themselves lucky to compete alongside PINNOCK TOO HOT TO HANDLE

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W. Pinnock (K.C.) ________________________ J. Farr (Wol.) ________________________ T. Miller (J.C.) ________________________ D. William (K.C.) ________________________ B. Senior (Rus.) ________________________ S. Carr (C.H.S.) ________________________ C. Brown (C.H.S.) ________________________ C. Simmonds (St.J.) ________________________ FINALISTS

Wayne Pinnock placed fourth last year and is the lone returning finalist. Incidentally, two years ago he was expected to win the gold medal in Class 3 but was upstaged by his team mate, Tajean Houston, who himself was side-lined in this event throughout the 2016 season. The fleet-footed Pinnock has looked peerless this season. He boasts 13.71s, the fastest time to date. The rest of the field lags tangibly behind him. In fact, no one has dipped below the 14-second barrier in the class. Treziquet James showed signs of defeating Pinnock, but sadly, a late season misfortune during competition put paid to any chance of him providing competition in the event.

SEASON’S BESTS: Pinnock (K.C.) – 13.72, James (J.C.) – 14.03, Farr (Wol.) – 14.04, Williams (K.C.) – 14.15, Senior (Rus.) – 14.27, Simmonds (St.J.) – 14.27, Miller (J.C.) – 14.35, Carr (C.H.S.) –14.46.

him in a likely record-breaking race. Russell is unabashed by KC’s Omar McLeod’s record time of 13.24s, as his performances in recent times have taken him within this ball park range. He finished the 2016 season with a World Youth leading time of 13.27s. For good measure, he has again produced an equally impressive win at the recent Carifta Trials, this time posting 13.31s running into a negative headwind of -0.8mps wind. Calabar aims to occupy the first two positions but must first parry the threat posed by ex-Calabar spring hurdler, Alex Robinson.

Robinson now at Wolmer’s was beaten into third place by Orlando Bennett at the said meet. Both should be safe for the bronze and silver medals, particularly if they can fend off the JC duo, Phillip Lemonious and Oquendo Bernard.

SEASON’S BESTS: Russell (C.H.S.) – 13.45, Bennett (C.H.S.) – 13.86, Robinson (Wol.) – 13.88, Lemonius (J.C.) – 14.02, Campbell (C.H.S.) – 14.07, Bernard (J.C.) – 14.15, Broadbell (St. J.) – 14.17, Beckford (K.C.) – 14.21.

HIGH JUMP CLASS II

Record: Christoffe Bryan (Wol.) – 2.10m (2012) Lushane Wilson (St.J.) – 2.10m (2015) THE MARSHALL IN TOWN 1.

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D. Marshall (St.J.) ________________________ A. Hanson (H.M.) ________________________ R. Samuels (K.C.) ________________________ R. Beckford (BBay) ________________________ R. Campbell (C.H.S.) ________________________ D. Edmonson (Wol.) ________________________ M. Bailey (K.C.) ________________________ K. Roper (BBay) ________________________

FINALISTS

Kimar Farquharson

Tyrese Reid The Queen’s Grace Jackson meet produced the only 2-meter standard in the class this season and this was curtesy of Demar Marshall.

Marshall has three victories under his belt this season putting the bull’s eye on his back. He can seek solace in the fact that his chief rivals are inconsistent and also are slow in making the quantum improvements required to win the gold medal. A number of the potential medallists have scaled 1.90m but Romaine Beckford’s record 1.93m in winning the event at Eastern Champs, gives him a decent look-in on one of the medals up for grabs. Having said this though, each athlete in the field should feel that the gold medal is well within reach.

SEASON’S BESTS: Marshall (St.J.) – 2.05m, Beckford (BBay) – 1.93m, Walter (Cl.C.) – 1.90m, Samuels (K.C.) – 1.90m, Campbell (C.H.S) – 1.90m, Bailey (K.C.) – 1.90m, Roper (BBay) – 1.90m, Edmonson (Wol.) – 1.90m, V. Palmer (St.J.) – 1.90m

Christopher Brown’s eye-catching distances could not mask the motley collection of below par performances produced by most of his rivals this season. Brown has drawn adulation from his fans for throwing beyond the 50-meter mark, a feat he has achieved at Western Champs, scoring a victory with a distance of 51.16m.

Daniel Cope broke the Champs record in the qualifying rounds at Champs last year, but the mark registered is already in danger. Nemoy Cockett, who is yet to beat Brown, has tasted victories at the first meet of the season, the Pure Water sponsored JC/R. Danny Williams Track Meet and again at McKenley/Wint Track & Field Classics. At these meets, Cockett threw 46.35m and 46.10m respectively to show consistency.

He however boasts a 48.15m distance that placed him second to Brown at the Manchester/ Charlie Fuller Meet.

SEASON’S BESTS: Brown (Peters.) – 51.14m, POINTS SUMMARY AFTER THE Cockett (K.C.) – 48.15m, Mitchell (C.H.S.) – 45.47m, Clarke (Bel.) – 45.42m, Beckford (BBay) HURDLES WITH 26 FINALS – 44.89m, Symile (Ed.A.) – 4.37m, Adamson COMPLETED With 16 finals remaining, KC maintains the (C.H.S.) – 43.95m, Duffus (K.C.) – 43.53m. same relative margin of lead on Calabar, with scores reading 220 to 205 points. The two 800M CLASS III have separated from JC and St Jago who have Record: Waquar Dacosta (J.C.) – 1:58.06 (2007) seemingly gone in hibernation. The points garnered by the two teams so far surpass those GARDENER GUARDS GOLD in recent years. It is now evident that the massive number of points garnered by the leaders so far 1. T. Gardener (Munro) ________________________ would have in part, subtracted from those that 2. G. Henry (K.C.) ________________________ would have normally gone to JC and St Jago. At 3.

J. Blake (J.C.) ________________________ this juncture neither team stands a ghost of a ________________________ chance of pegging back the frontrunners and so 4. G. Henry (K.C.) could now be engaged in a tussle to protect their 5. D. Martin (StETHS) ________________________ own position in the standings.

6. O. Windlett (Spald.) ________________________ Points Summary: K.C. [220pts] Calabar 7. O. Davis (J.C.) ________________________ [205pts] J.C. [93pts] St. J. [89pts] 8. R. Thompson (C.C.) ________________________

FINALISTS Tajay Gardener goes after the gold medal Record: Daniel Cope (Peters.) – 53. 41m (2016) knowing fully well that his preparation PETERSFIELD ARE BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS went according to plan. He was particularly

1. C. Brown (Peters.) ________________________ impressive at Western Champs winning the 2. N. Cockett (K.C.) ________________________ event in a fast 2:03.19s, which now lays down 3. D. Mitchell (C.H.S.) ________________________ the gauntlet. Gianni and Giovanni Henry are 4. Z. Dillion (C.H.S.) ________________________ positioning themselves to wage a battle with 5. G. Duffus (K.C.) ________________________ Gardener. Both athletes have posted the next 6. R. Beckford (BBay) ________________________ best times behind Gardener, however, the fact 7. A. Symillie (Ed.A.) ________________________ that Gardener has not raced the two, sets up an 8. D. Brown (Gr.Isl.) ______________________­­__ interesting encounter. J’Voughn Blake is just a

FINALISTS step behind the KC twin and therefore any error

DISCUS CLASS II

in judgment during the race can be costly.

SEASON’S BESTS: Gardener (Munro) – 2:03.19, Martin (StETHS) – 2:04.67, Henry (K.C.) – 2:05.32, Henry (K.C.) – 2:05.75, Blake (J.C.) – 2:05.77, Windette (Spald.) – 2:06.02, Walker (J.C.) – 2:07.02, Chambers (St. J.) – 2:08.49.

800M CLASS II Record: Aldwyn Sappleton (Ed.A.) – 1:52.27 (1997) WILL HE BE PUSHED TO A RECORD? 1.

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4.

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6.

7.

8.

K. Farquharson (C.H.S.)________________________ R. Fullerton (Munro) ________________________ T. Rhoden (K.C.) ________________________ D. Mason (StETHS) ________________________ R. Cowan (StETHS) ________________________ J. Williams (St.J.) ________________________ J. Taylor (Wol.) ________________________ K. Venson (C.H.S.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Aldwyn Sappleton’s nineteen-year old record is under threat of being broken. Already surpassed by Kimar Farquharson this season, the question on the lips of everyone is how low will it go? Farquharson relishes this event and he is both fast and fearless. These are necessary ingredients to get his objectives met. At the Carifta Trials recently, competing in the under 18 category, he left tongues wagging when he chased Class I athlete, Tyrese Reid of Spot Valley, to the line. He posted a staggering time of 1:52.04s to finish behind Reid, thereby booking his ticket to the Carifta Games. Sublime as the time done by Farquharson is, he will not have his own way come Champs. Tarees Rhoden and Rushane Fullerton are worthy contenders with abilities to come close to the record as well.

Not much is seen of Fullerton recently, adding to suspicions that he may be nursing an injury.

SEASON’S BESTS: Farquharson (C.H.S.) – 1:52.04, Rogers (K.C.) – 1:54.44, Fullerton (Munro) – 1:55.47, Rhoden (K.C.) – 1:55.68, Williams (St.J.) – 1:58.69, R. Johnson (St.J.) – 1:58.73, Cowan (StETHS) – 1:58.74, Simpson (M.H.S.) – 1.58.74.

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Jhevaughn Matherson

Kevin Nedrick

800M CLASS I

Record: Sherwin Burgess (Vere) – 1:48.84 (1987) A GALAXY OF HALF MILERS ON SHOW 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

A. Colley (Rus.) ________________________ T. Reid (SpotV.) ________________________ L. Clarke (St.J.) ________________________ J. James (StETHS) ________________________ R. Butler (StETHS) ________________________ J. Williams (C.H.S.) ________________________ J. Pierre (St.J.) ________________________ A. Jackson (Christ.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Last year’s bizarre result is being counted as an aberration because it has been decades since spectators have witnessed such a pedestrian winning time. The race played out to be a tactical one and eventual came down to a veritable foot race. In the end, Excelsior’s Nathan Brown stole a march on a super talented field to snatch the gold medal. It is déjà vu going into Champs when one considers the calibre contenders on show again, all aiming to dip below the 1:50.00-seconds barrier. Out of relative obscurity came Tyrese Reid, who has conquered all before him except one. Akeem Colley has been equally imperious in competitions this season although he played second fiddle to Reid at Western Champs. Both Reid and Colley had contrasting victories at the Carifta Trials. Reid won the U18 category in 1:51.11s while Colley captured the U20 version in 1:52.11s. Colley defeated Reid in their most recent head-to-head clash at the Digicel Grand Prix Finals. The old guards have returned, gunning for a position atop the podium. Will Colley lead a merry clip?

Or will there be a repeat of 2016, where the tactical wait-and-see strategy eventually led the tightly-bunched runners to a homestretch sprint to the finish line?

SEASON’S BESTS: Reid (SpotV.) – 1:51.11, Colley (Rusea’s) – 1:52.11, Jackson (Christ.) – 1:52.31, Clarke (St.J.) – 1:52.46, Rowe (K.C.) – 1:52.56, Butler (StETHS) – 1:52.86, Jean-Pierre (St.J.) – 1:53.17, Blackman (J.C.) – 1:53.34.

SHOT PUT CLASS I Record: Demar Gayle (Ed.A.) – 19.52m (2015) CHAMPS’ FIRST 20-METER DISTANCE LOOMS 1.

2.

3.

4.

K. Nedrick (Peters.) ________________________ K. Mitchell (C.H.S.) ________________________ R. Downer (K.C.) ________________________ R. Stona (St.J.) ________________________

5.

6.

7.

8.

Z. Campbell (K.C.) ________________________ D. Delancey (Munro) ________________________ C. Graham (Mead.) ________________________ S. Burke (C.H.S.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Demar Gayle’s two-year-old record may soon become a mere figment of the imagination. As far as the non-track and field junkies are concern, Gayle’s 19.52m set at Champs in 2015 is relatively solid. Unfortunately, it may give way at Champs 2017 to distances from Kevin Nedrick.

Nedrick, Jamaica’s National Youth Record holder with a throw of 20.12m, not only has his sights set on breaking the Champs record, but also on replacing Ashina Miller’s National Junior Record, which stands at 20.15m. Nedrick threw 20.08m to win the Under 20 Shot Put at the Carifta Trials. These top draw performances from Nedrick appear to have relegated the defending champion, Kyle Mitchell, to a mere footnote.

SEASON’S BESTS: Nedrick (Peters.) – 20.08m, Mitchell (C.H.S.) – 18.83m, Downer (K.C.) – 17.19m, Campbell (K.C.) – 16.98m, Burke (C.H.S.) – 16.91m, Stona (St.J.) 16.83, Delancey (Munro) – 16.64m, Sinclair (Munro) – 16.59m, Graham (Mead.) – 16.34m.

200M CLASS III Record: Tyreke Wilson (C.H.S.) – 21.72 (2014) PURPLE POWER 1.

2.

3.

4.

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6.

7.

8.

T. Stenneth (K.C.) R. Scott (Rus.) B. Rowe (H.M.) J. Johnson (K.C.) M. Johnson (Xlcr) T. Smith (C.H.S.) B. Rowe (H.M.) B. Roach (Lac.)

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

FINALISTS

Not a lot of fireworks have gone off in this event particularly because there has hardly been any clash of the likely medal contenders. The biggest match-up came at the Queen’s Grace Jackson Meet when Jovain Johnson battled Malachi Johnson for early season boasting rights. Jovain Johnson prevailed in a race where both athletes produced sub-23 seconds performances. Johnson’s 22.89s edged his namesake who posted 22.93s to win the overall timed final. The prohibitive favourite in the event is the largely untested Terrique Stenneth. Since suffering an early season defeat to Taraj Smith

Christopher Taylor

at the Douglas Forrest Meet, Stenneth is proving too hot to handle. His best moment came at the Corporate Area Development Championships, where he posted a fast 22.66s to register a facile victory in the timed final. Western Champs winner Kalani Cook handed Raheim Scott the narrowest of defeats, 22.57s to 22.59s.

SEASON’S BESTS: Cook (Gr.Isl.) – 22.57, Scott (Rus.) – 22.59, Stenneth (K.C.) – 22.66, Johnson (K.C.) – 22.89, Johnson (Xclr) – 22.93, Kerr (K.C.) – 23.04, Rowe (H.M.) – 23.11, B. Nkrumie (K.C.) – 23.18.

200M CLASS II

Record: Christopher Taylor (C.H.S.) – 20.80 (2016) SHOW STOPPER 1.

2.

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7.

8.

S. Dennis (StETHS) ________________________ X. Nairne (Wol.) ________________________ J. Powell (Ed.A.) ________________________ A. Watson (Peters.) ________________________ R. Young (C.H.S.) ________________________ J. Grant (BPort.) ________________________ O. Peart (K.C.) ________________________ J. Treasure (St.J.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Sachin Dennis’ victory at Western Champs in 21.52s was enough of a warning signal to all. But when he won at the Digicel Grand Prix Final posting 21.10s, it confirms him to be the favourite going into Champs. Xavier Nairne was not in the race however he is battle-ready.

This was evident when he placed second behind Michael Stephens in the U18 Boys 200m at the recent Carifta Trials. Nairne’s 21.35s was impressive on the day. Jeremy Farr posted 21.79s for third at Carifta Trials and 21.48s for second place at the Digicel Grand Prix Finals. It is not certain whether he will report for this event.

A bunch of speedsters particularly from the rural schools are chomping at the bits to get some recognition. Antonio Watson’s 21.75s for the runner-up position at Western Champs makes a candidacy for a medal. It is safe to say that this event will be a cracker with enough quality to deliver a sub-22.00 seconds.

SEASON’S BESTS: Dennis (StETHS) – 21.10, Nairne (Wol.) – 21.35, Farr (Wol.) – 21.48, Watson (Peters.) – 21.65, Peart (K.C.) – 21.85, Treasure (St.J.) – 21.93, Grant (BPort) – 21.98.

200M CLASS I

Record: Usain Bolt (Wm.K.) – 20.25 (2003) TEST OF SPEED 1.

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8.

J. Matherson (K.C.) ________________________ C. Taylor (C.H.S.) ________________________ M. Stephens (C.H.S) ________________________ A. Miller (Xlcr) ________________________ R. Dixon (Dint.) ________________________ T. Bryan (K.C.) ________________________ R. Edwards (Munro) ________________________ M. Smith (BPort) ________________________

FINALISTS

There is no question that one of the biggest clashes at Champs 2017 will unfold in this event. It brings together a quality field led

by Jhevaughn Matherson and Christopher Taylor. Both athletes have never raced each before, this either by design or by circumstances.

It is definitely worth going the extra mile to see. Last year Taylor ran 20.80s to break the Class 2 record in the prelims and went on to win comfortably in the finals. Two years before this, in 2014, Matherson triumphed in his first year in the said class in a solid 20.97s. If one were to hark back to the clash of the late eighties between Calabar’s Daniel England and KC’s Dennis Mowatt, one will see that history has been kind to quarter milers in these types of match-ups.

Both Matherson’s and Taylor’s preparations have gone well this season and so fans are in for a treat. One should not discount the chances of Michael Stephens, the under 18 Carifta Trials’ winner. Folks don’t leave your seats!

SEASON’S BESTS: Taylor (C.H.S.) – 20.59, Dixon (Dint.) – 20.70, Stephens (C.H.S.) – 20.93, Miller (Xlcr) – 21.14, Edwards (Munro) – 21.34, Bryan (K.C.) – 21.40, Stone (Peters.) – 21.45, D. Dunkley (J.C.) – 21.55.

HIGH JUMP CLASS I

Record: Christoffe Bryan (Wol.) – 2.23m (2014) NO ROOM FOR MISTAKE 1.

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latest victory at the Carifta Trials is timely, Wilson and Allen have the psychological advantage over him. The two could not be separated by heights when they both scaled 2.10m at the Camperdown Classics to occupy the first two positions. The event is set to get underway late Saturday evening and it will get the spectators into action as most of the top contending schools should field a potential medal winner.

SEASON’S BESTS: Wilson (St.J.) – 2.15m, Allen (C.H.S.) – 2.10m, Rhooms (C.C.) – 2.08m, Betton (C.H.S.) – 2.05m, Clarke (C.H.S.) – 2.05m, Thompson (St.G.C.) – 2.00m, Davis (K.C.) – 2.00m, B. Robinson (StETHS) – 1.95m, S. Nelson (K.C.) – 1.95m, Hylton (Rhodes) – 1.95m, T. Haughton (St.J.) – 1.95m.

TRIPLE JUMP CLASS II Record: O’Brien Waysome (J.C.) – 14.75m (2013) ‘RABALAC’ STRIKES BACK 1.

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7.

8.

R. Campbell (C.H.S.) ________________________ M. Beecher (J.C.) ________________________ S. Lowe (K.C.) ________________________ L. Reid (C.H.S.) ________________________ A. Edwards (J.C.) ________________________ A. Davis (Camp.) ________________________ N. Richards (K.C.) ________________________ K. Kerr (St.J.) ________________________

FINALISTS

Richard Campbell produced 14.42m for fourth spot in the U18 category at the Carifta Trials.

The mark became the best mark among Class 2 competitors. It also outstripped the 14.04m produced by early season favourite, Shaquille Lowe. The two, along with Beecher are the only ones over the 14-meter mark. Competitions in this event were far and few between and could be the reason there is no great degree of certainty around the predicted places this time around. What is noticeable about the field is that eight athletes from only four schools appear poised to score.

SEASON’S BESTS: Campbell (C.H.S.) – 14.42m, Beecher (J.C.) – 14.39m, Lowe (K.C.) – 14.04m, Richards (K.C.) – 13.65m, Johnson (C.H.S.) – 13.40m, Davis (Camp.) – 13.60m, Reid (C.H.S.) –13.57m, A. Brown (J.C.) –13.56m.

L. Wilson (St.J.) ________________________ G. Allen (C.H.S.) ________________________ K. Rhooms (C.C.) ________________________ J. Davis (K.C.) ________________________ A. Betton (C.H.S.) ________________________ M. Cunningham (J.C.) ________________________ POINTS SUMMARY BEFORE THE S. Nelson (K.C.) ________________________ A. Hylton (Rhodes) ________________________ RELAYS WITH 6 FINALS TO GO

FINALISTS The writing is now on the wall; Kingston College

seen spills that have wiped out leads enjoyed by teams before. Kingston College have established a commanding lead. The boys from North Street should now look to press to the finishing line as victory beckons.

Points Summary: K.C. [302pts] C.H.S. [282pts] St.J. [116pts] J.C. [115pts]

MEDLEY RELAY CLASS I & II Record: Kingston College– 3:25.78 (2014) THE EVENT OF THE UNKNOWN 1.

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Calabar Jamaica College St. Elizabeth Technical Kingston College Wolmer’s Excelsior Spaldings Petersfield

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

FINALISTS

The Gibson Relays provided glimpses of what might unfold in the Medley Relays. While St Jago High was rewriting the history book in the 4x800m at the 41st edition of Gibson/McCook Relays, the self-imposed absence of Elizabeth Technical High School would have prevented the display of their half milers at the relay carnival. StETHS’ absence masks the potency of a potential gold medallist in the Medley Relays.

KC, JC and Calabar are hidebound of their traditions and would want to select a strong team to maximize points. This year, each of these teams has a good chance of winning. Predicting a winner though is like shooting an arrow in the dark. But rest assured the event will not be void of high drama. Also, the performances should be enhanced since the preliminary rounds are now brought forward to Thursday instead of Friday. It should eliminate the back to back days of actions on Friday and Saturday making the participants more rested for the final.

4 x 100M CLASS I Record: Calaber High – 39.08 (2015) HOLD ON TO YOUR SEAT!

1.

2.

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Lushane Wilson’s 2.15m winning performance will not be caught again. With the relays and 7. at the Youngster Goldsmith Classics laid down the 5000m being the only events remaining to 8.

Calabar ________________________ Kingston College ________________________ Excelsior ________________________ Jamaica College ________________________ St. Jago High ________________________ St Catherine High ________________________ Wolmer’s ________________________ Camperdown High ________________________ an important marker and also gives credence be contested, it can be said that the boys from

FINALISTS

to the saying ‘the cream will rise to the top’. He is now the clear favourite to win the gold medal but should not lull himself into complacency as the threats posed by Kobe-Jorda Rhooms and Gabriel Allen are credible. While Rhooms’

North Street have done enough at this stage.

Having said this though, it is never advisable for any team to take their feet off the gas, particularly against the back drop that unlucky relays are among the next set of events. We have

Kingston College dominated this event at the Gibson/McCook Relays racing to 39.90s, after failing to complete the race at the Milo Western Relays. Excelsior surprisingly

53

Shane Buchanan placed second in 40.28s, a school record. Calabar High was the overall winner at the Camperdown Classics in 40.38s but their anchor man, Colin Anderson, hobbled across the finishing line and did not advance to the final at the Gibson/ McCook Relays. The school, which holds the World High School Record at 39.08s is eager to make amend and aims to lower this mark at Champs. Their team comprises a galaxy of sprinters to choose from, however, one can hazard a guess that Tyreke Bryan, Christopher Taylor, Dejour Russell and Michael Stephens will face the starters.

4 x 100M CLASS II Record: Calabar – 40.29 (2016) SUB-41 SECONDS BECKONS 1.

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Wolmer’s Jamaica College Kingston College Excelsior High St. Jago Calabar St. Elizabeth Technical Bridgeport

________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

FINALISTS

Kingston College’s quartet ran out of their skin to narrowly defeat Jamaica College at the Gibson/ McCook Relays. Wolmer’s had started favourite but rested a couple of their members, which no doubt cost them a title at the prestigious relay carnival. At full strength, Wolmer’s is formidable and is capable of breaking 41.00 seconds.

Xavier Nairne, Jeremy Farr and Thea Shea, all have friendly schedules, sharing the 100m, 200m and hurdle events and should report to the relay final with enough in the tank to deliver the goods. There is not much to separate these three teams based on their seasons’ best times. Both the KC and JC teams are well rounded with the firepower to stop this highly-touted Wolmer’s outfit. Calabar has failed to spark this season even though they have in their line-up the fast Rosean Young and Chadwick Stewart.

4 x 100M CLASS III Record: Calabar – 41.81 (2014) UNSTOPPABLE KC 1. Kingston College 2. St. Jago 3. Jamaica College 4. Calabar 5. Excelsior

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________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________

6. Munro College ________________________ 7. Wolmer’s ________________________ 8. St. Elizabeth Technical ________________________

4 x 400M OPEN Record: Calabar – 3:06.76 (2015) CALABAR LOOKS TO CLOSE THE SHOW?

FINALISTS 1. Calabar ________________________ Kingston College has an embarrassment of 2. Kingston College ________________________ riches and so barring any mishap, should win ________________________ comfortably. They were champions at the 3. St. Jago 4.

Jamaica College

________________________ Western Relays, the Gibson/McCook Relays and 5.

St. Elizabeth Technical

________________________ the Corporate Area Development Meet. KC’s ________________________ closest rival is the consistent St Jago High. The 6. Edwin Allen ________________________ Monk Street boys won at the Camperdown 7. Petersfield Classics before finishing runners up to KC at 8. Garvey Maceo ________________________ the Gibson/McCook Relays. The battle for the FINALISTS bronze is likely to be between JC and Calabar, Defending champions, Calabar High School, however the latter can shuffle both their Class look to pull the curtains down at yet another 3 and 4 team to assemble a dangerous quartet, Championships, aiming for a second straight particularly since the relays usually prove happy victory in this event. Last year Christopher hunting grounds for the Red Hills Road team.

Taylor anchored his team to an exciting victory, resisting KC’s anchor man, Akeem Bloomfield.

Both schools should lock horns once more and 5000M OPEN it is left to be seen which of these two teams will Record: Kemoy Campbell (C.H.S.) – 14:18.55 (2010) prevail this trip. The depth of the team in this DANCING TO THE AFRICAN BEAT event is encouraging. At the Gibson/McCook Relays, five teams went under 3:15.00 seconds, 1. A. Rodgers (K.C.) ________________________ which if repeated will add to the competitiveness 2. S. Buchanan (K.C.) ________________________ of the race and could give spectators something 3. K. Lawrence (St.J.) ________________________ to cherish.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

S. Salmon (StETHS) ________________________ T. Wilson (Bel.) ________________________ SUMMARY AT THE END OF R. Mundle (Bel.) ________________________ BOYS CHAMPS 2017 R. Johnson (St.J.) ________________________ As the noise from the engaged spectators S. Onfroy (Holm) ________________________ subsides following the running of the mile relay,

FINALISTS

Kemoy Campbell’s 2010 mark of 14:18.55s might be out of the reach of the top contenders at Champs this year but the event is not void of quality. Aryamanya Rodgers have had a dream run in the event since arriving to the shores of Jamaica. The fifteen-year-old athlete from Uganda, has donned the purple and white colours in style. He has defeated his more senior opponents over the distance, including outgoing Class 1 team mate, Shane Buchanon. Buchanon has entered this season much improved and enters Champs with the season’s best time. The KC pair will have stern competitions from both Keenan Lawrence and Shemar Salmon. Both are rounding into shape quite nicely and set to make the penultimate event come alive, SEASON’S BESTS: Buchanan (K.C.) – 15:11.71, Rodgers (K.C.) – 15:26.96, Lawrence (St.J.) 15:28.19, Salmon (StETHS) 15:34.01, Wilson (Bel.) 15:56.26, Onfroy (Holm.) – 16:11.52, S. Richards (MavB.) – 15:21.76, Davy (Xlcr) – 15:25.83.

signalling the end of Champs 2017, another chorus of cheers replaces it. Yes, it’s the sound of jubilant KC spectators reverberating throughout the National Stadium. Kingston College, in a dominant fashion, would have exacted a telling defeat on their main rivals, Calabar High, to regain the Mortimer Geddes Trophy. No praise can be too high for the school’s administration and management teams, which would have left no stone unturned in the quest to sculpture a formidable aggregate such as this 2017 victorious team. KC led from the start to the finish and kept all at bay. When the dust settled, the famed ‘Purple’ amassed a record 364 points to score a tremendously historic victory. Finally, Champs 2017 lived up to its high expectations and thereby sets the bar even higher for the 2018 edition.

Final Score: Kingston College – 364 points, Calabar – 328 points, Jamaica College – 155 points, St. Jago – 152 points. .

BOYS CHAMPS 1910 Wolmer’s School 1911 Jamaica College 1912 Jamaica College 1913 Jamaica College 1914 St. George’s College 1915 Wolmer’s School 1916 Jamaica College 1917 Wolmer’s School 1918 Jamaica College 1919 Jamaica College 1920 Munro College

1921 Jamaica College 1922 Jamaica College 1923 Jamaica College 1924 Wolmer’s School 1925 St. George’s College 1926 Munro College 1927 Wolmer’s School 1928 Jamaica College 1929 Wolmer’s School 1930 Calabar High School 1931 Calabar High School 1932 Calabar High School

1933 Calabar High School 1934 Munro College 1935 Munro College 1936 Calabar High School 1937 Kingston College 1938 Wolmer’s School 1939 Wolmer’s School 1940 Jamaica College 1941 Wolmer’s School 1942 Kingston College 1943 Munro College 1944 NO COMPETITION

1945 Munro College 1946 Calabar High School 1947 Munro College 1948 Munro College 1949 Wolmer’s School 1950 Kingston College 1951 Kingston College 1952 Jamaica College 1953 Kingston College 1954 Kingston College 1955 Calabar High School 1956 Wolmer’s School

BOYS & GIRLS CHAMPS 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986

St. Hilda’s D.H.S Kingston College NO COMPETITION Calabar High School NO COMPETITION Jamaica College NO COMPETITION Excelsior High School Manchester High Calabar High School St. Andrew High Kingston College Titchfield High Kingston College Titchfield High Kingston College Mannings High Kingston College Mannings High Kingston College Vere Technical High Kingston College Vere Technical High Kingston College Mannings High Kingston College Excelsior High School Kingston College Excelsior High School Kingston College Excelsior High School Kingston College Excelsior High School Kingston College Vere Technical High Kingston College Vere Technical High Kingston College St. Marys High Calabar High School St. Marys High Calabar High School The Queen’s School Calabar High School Vere Technical High Kingston College Vere Technical High Kingston College Vere Technical High Calabar High School Vere Technical High Clarendon College Vere Technical High Kingston College Vere Technical High Clarendon College Vere Technical High Clarendon College Vere Technical High Calabar High School

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Manchester High Manchester High St. Jago High St. Jago High St. Jago High St. Jago High Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Vere Technical High Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Holmwood Technical Edwin Allen Holmwood Technical Edwin Allen Edwin Allen Edwin Allen

St. Jago High School Calabar High School Calabar High School Calabar High School Jamaica College Jamaica College St. Jago High School Jamaica College Jamaica College Calabar High School Calabar High School Jamaica College Jamaica College Jamaica College Kingston College Kingston College Kingston College Kingston College Kingston College Kingston College Calabar High School Calabar High School Kingston College Wolmer’s School Jamaica College Calabar High School Calabar High School Calabar High School Calabar High School Calabar High School

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