1 year ago
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AFTER RECLAIMING their title last year following a surprise half-point loss to Hydel High in 2023, the Edwin Allen High girls will be aiming for back-to-back victories as the two-day Central Athletics Championships get under way today at G.C. Foster College, starting at 8:30 a.m.
A qualifying regional meet for next month’s ISSA Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, the event is expected to deliver plenty of fireworks, as it features the most successful female teams at ‘Champs’. Former champions St Jago, Holmwood Technical, Vere Technical, and Manchester High are all set to compete.
History has shown that the girls’ team that wins the Central Championships often goes on to claim the title at Champs, and Edwin Allen’s head coach, Michael Dyke, is well aware of this.
“I am hoping for good performances from my team over the two days of competition. We just want to compete well and ensure the athletes come out injury-free. Winning the title would be a bonus and psychological advantage heading into Champs, but my main concern is qualifying athletes,” said Dyke.
The Edwin Allen girls have been in superb form all season, but so have the Corey Bennett-coached Hydel High team. The Ferry-based girls are eager to prove they are ready once again to challenge their rivals, just as they did two years ago.
While Edwin Allen and Hydel appear set to battle for the top spot, former champions Holmwood Technical have been in tremendous form, reviving memories of their dominant years and posing a potential threat to the favourites. Vere Technical are also looking stronger than they have in years, while last year’s runners-up, St Jago High, after a slow start, have picked up momentum – evident in their performance at last Saturday’s S.W. Isaac Henry Invitational. All signs point to an epic showdown.
Today’s finals
Today will see 15 finals contested – eight on the track and seven in the field. The first event, the 2000-metre Steeplechase final, will set the tone, with Edwin Allen’s Sushana Johnson hoping to maintain her unbeaten run in the event this season. However, Hydel’s Taiefa Gowe could provide stiff competition.
Other track finals today include the 100m in all classes following preliminary rounds earlier in the day, as well as the 1,500m finals.
In the field, the Class 1 discus final should attract significant attention, featuring top contenders such as Clarendon College’s Marla-Kay Lampart, St Catherine High’s Able Mills, Hydel’s Natassia Burrell, St Jago’s Rehana Biggs, and Edwin Allen’s twin sisters Shamoyea and Shamoye Morris in what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Since first competing in these championships, the St Jago boys have never lost the title, and the Spanish Town-based gentlemen are expected to continue their dominance despite facing strong competition from last year’s runners-up, Edwin Allen High.
St Jago will be led by standout middle- and long-distance runner Ryan Achua, who has been in superb form all season. Achua is coming off a major victory last Saturday in the 5000m Open at the Jamaica College Fervet Distance Carnival. He will contest that event again, along with the Class 1 1500m.
St Jago’s Class 3 boys are expected to dominate the track events both here and at Champs. They will be led by Jevaney Findlay and Jevarie Edwards in the 100m, along with Khieme Campbell in the 400m.
Nine field event finals and seven track finals will be contested among the boys today, with the 2000m steeplechase kicking off the track finals at 8:45 a.m.
English (US) ·