2 months ago
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THE 40th staging of the JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships had a nail-biting finish at the National Stadium on Saturday. In a very close contest for top honours 2017 champions St Catherine edged 2018 winners St Andrew by 1.83 points.
In what was a see-saw battle between the top two teams — with the lead changing on several occasions during the final six events — it was St Catherine who prevailed, tallying 270.83 points to St Andrew’s 269. St Elizabeth (228.3), Portland (158.5) and Westmoreland (125.5) closed out the top five.
The battle for top spot went down to the final event, the boys’ sprint medley relay, where St Catherine held a six-point lead. They finished sixth for a mere three points, but St Andrew’s third-place finish, earning six points, was not enough to surpass their rivals.
Sports coordinator for St Catherine Calvin Walsh credited the win to heart, preparation, belief, and multiple hands coming together for a bigger goal.
“Yes, St Catherine won, but track and field also won today. Regardless of the position, everybody was happy, everybody was excited, and this meet over the years has brought out several champions at the highest level,” he said. “It has brought out world-class athletes. Some of the kids who ran here don’t get the chance to run in other meets, as some of the schools cannot afford it. This is the only stage they get, so high school coaches and scouts can see them.”
Overall female champion of the meet was Antoya Lindsay of St Andrew with 18 points. Competing in the under-11 category, she posted personal best times of 14.05 seconds to win the 100m and 29.69 in the 200m.
There was a three-way tie among the boys for champion athlete, as all three ended with 18 points after winning two events each: Kahniel Walford of St Thomas, and Kelan Harris and Ashumur Morrison, both of St Catherine.
Walford won the under-11 boys’ 100m in 13.50 and the 150m in 28.47. Morrison won the under-13 200m in 25.97 and the 400m in 59.42, while Harris won the under-15 100m in 12.73 and the 200m in 25.40.
All four athletes received full secondary school scholarships, courtesy of the Sagicor Foundation. Some $12 million was spent at this year’s staging, bringing the total to $100m since the partnership was formed.
Both St Catherine and St Andrew dominated the relays, winning three each.
National sprint icon Olympian Veronica Campbell-Brown, who was this year’s patron, was pleased to be back at the meet.
“Being back at the meet brought back so many memories for me. I saw so much talent over the two days. These young athletes gave it their all and I was happy to be back, as it brought back many memories, and it was beautiful to witness. Jamaica’s track and field future is in great hands — and it all starts here,” said Campbell-Brown, herself a product of the meet.
English (US) ·