Edwin Allen High School’s girls and St Jago High School’s boys retained their crowns on yesterday’s second and final day of competition at the Central Athletics Championships at the G.C. Foster College.
Edwin Allen topped the girls’ standings with 406 points, ahead of Holmwood Technical (370.5), St Jago (240), Vere Technical (232.5) and Alphansus Davis High (105.5).
On the boys’ side, St Jago continued their dominance, capturing yet another title with 250 points. Edwin Allen finished second on 206, followed by Clarendon College (132), Manchester High (124) and St Catherine High (92).
Both head coaches were pleased with their teams’ performances.
Despite fielding an under-strengthed squad, Edwin Allen rebounded from trailing Holmwood after day one to secure a convincing win.
“The team is always motivated to do well, especially coming to Central Championships against the likes of Holmwood, St Jago, and Hydel. The girls were a bit disappointed that Hydel pulled out of the meet, but I motivated them. We had a lot of gaps, as I pulled out several key athletes, but in the end I was very pleased with their performances ahead of the ISSA Boys and Girls’ [Athletics] Championships,” said head coach Michael Dyke.
In his first year at the helm, St Jago’s Carl Page was delighted with the outcome.
“Coming back to my alma mater and winning the team title is an overwhelming feeling. I am a bit concerned, though, with a few injuries among my Class 2 boys, but we will do our best to fix this ahead of the ISSA Boys and Girls’ Championships,” said Page.
Edwin Allen made their move early on the final day, entering on 17 points behind Holmwood. They quickly reduced the deficit in the Open girls’ 3000m and 400m hurdles.
Sushana Johnson led the charge in the 3000m, winning in 10:54.83, ahead of Donna Fraser of Vere Technical (11:08.97) and Chevelle Whyte of Alphansus Davis (11:15.45). In the Open 400m hurdles, Maria Crossfield clocked a personal-best 59.87 to win, with Holmwood’s Maya Oakley second in 1:00.62, and Edwin Allen’s Shanique Cassanova third in 1:03.78.
Edwin Allen also dominated the 800m, winning Classes 3 and 2 through Romean Gray (2:17.60) and Kevongaye Fowler (2:13.36), respectively, while Holmwood’s Jovi Rose captured Class 1 in a record 2:14.37.
There was a 1-2 finish for Edwin Allen in the Class 3 80m hurdles, as Danelia Clarke set a meet record 11.27 to finish ahead of teammate Dashanelle Clarke (11.41).
On the boys’ side, Hydel produced outstanding individual performances in the hurdles, registering three record runs. Junior Gallimore won the Class 1 400m hurdles in a record 51.77, while teammate Kavion Minott captured Class 2 in a record 52.74. Robert Miller, who fell in the 400m hurdles, rebounded to win the Class 1 110m hurdles in a record 13.80 seconds.
St Jago’s Ryan Achua also etched his name in the record books with victory in the boys’ Open 5000m in 15:05.97. Holmwood’s Joshua Pryce set a record 2:09.50 in the Class 3 800m, while Denbigh’s Markland Williams (1:58.02) and Edwin Allen’s Joel Morgan (1:52.82) were winners in Classes 1 and 2.
In the 4x100m relays, Edwin Allen won three of four girls’ events, highlighted by a Class 1 meet record, 44.73. They also captured Classes 4 and 3, while St Jago won Class 2.
Among the boys, Edwin Allen took Classes 1 and 2, with Manchester High winning Class 3.
