No stopping Edwin Allen’s girls in 2024

PLAGUED By multiple mishaps last year Edwin Allen High’s bid to make it nine girls’ titles in a row, and 10 overall, at last year’s ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships was derailed by Hydel High.

The Frankfield-based school was clipped by two points, 279 to 277, as Hydel won the title for the first time.

A year later, Edwin Allen are set to score a mammoth win and regain their title. The school has the best team this year among the girls and are well set to regain their title.

They look well set to dominate in all classes except Class Four. In Class One, they are expected to score as many as 110 points, with Hydel way back with 72.

They are expected to get a one-two finish in the high jump for 16 points as Rasheda Samuels with a season’s best 1.78m will win from teammate Deijanae Bruce, whose best is 1.74m.

Shamoyea Morris, with a season’s best 48.45m is a cinch for the discus here. On the track, Rickeisha Simms and Monique Stewart should dominate both the 800 and 1500 metres. Jounee Armstrong and Trezeguet Taylor should score well in the 100m while Armstrong will score quality points in the 200m.

Team co-captain Tony-Ann Beckford will take the fight in the 400 metres to a feisty Abigail Campbell of Hydel High. Beckford will team up with the likes of Armstrong and Taylor in the 4x100m, where they are expected to dominate.

In the open events, Edwin Allen are set to tally 69 points to Hydel’s 65. Beckford and Natasha Fox look safe for 16 points from the top two spots in the 400m hurdles as both have gone sub-59 seconds this season.

Sushana should win the 2000m steeplechase and should finish in the top three in the 3000m. A keen battle with Hydel is expected in the 4x400 metres, while they are favoured to win the sprint medley relay.

Edwin Allen look set to overwhelm Hydel in Class Two by gaining 74 points. The defending champions will come up very short here with 35 points as they will be outscored by St Jago (61).

Ace sprinter Theianna -Lee Terrelonge will lead the way in the Class Two sprints. With a best of 11.25 seconds, she should win the 100m but will be in a ‘dog fight’ with Muschett’s Shanoya Douglas in the 200m. Terrelonge should ensure victory for her team in the 4x100. Kelly Ann Carr in the 400m, Asia McKay in the high jump, and Dionjah Shaw in both the discus and shot put should also add quality points in Class Two.

With 69 points projected in Class Three, Edwin Allen will get the better of Hydel 50 and St Jago 48.

Kevongaye Fowler disappointed last year after being favourite to win both the 800m and 1500m but suffered a toe injury and finished at the back in both events. She should make up for those disappointments. With a season’s best 2:12.35, she is the leader in the 800m. In the 1500m, she will battle Alikaye Reynolds of Alphansus Davis and St Mary High’s Dalia Fairweather for the medals.

A year ago, Edwin Allen only picked up half a point in Class Four but will show big improvement this year. They are expected to score 38 points, 16 less than Hydel (54).

Tashana Godfrey in the 100m and 70m hurdles, Danielle Clarke in the long jump, and Zodien Baker in the high jump will gather the individual points for their team. After losing to Hydel at the Gibson McCook Relays, Edwin Allen’s 4x100m team should turn the tables.

I expect Edwin Allen to tally a whopping 360 points to outscore the defending champions, who will end on 276. St Jago 220, Holmwood 109, and Wolmer’s Girls 97 should close out the top five.