Latest ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É
Central Champs back on track
April 21, 2021
The defending Central Athletics Championships male and female champions, St Jago and Edwin Allen high schools, are, understandingly, not too focused on retaining their titles as the two-day meet begins today at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport at 8:30 a.m.
According to one of the coaches, title defence is not at the forefront of his mind, as they are basking in the opportunity of competing at a championships that was heading for cancellation a few weeks ago.
Instead of hunting titles, the boys and girls from the central region will get an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations and, more importantly, secure qualification for the ISSA/GraceKenedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) scheduled for next month. This will be the second regional meet, following the Anthrick Corporate Area Development Meet held some three weeks ago.
After dominating for the past 10 years, head coach of the defending girls' champions, Michael Dyke, is not too concerned about winning overall this time around. "This time for us it is not about winning, as I am happy the athletes are getting a chance to compete; and winning is not at the forefront. I am just hoping that the athletes compete and do so safely, and everybody returns virus-free and healthy," said Dyke. "This championship is to see where they are, leading up to Boys and Girls' Championships, as there was a little rust among them due to the several weeks of inactivity."
Edwin Allen biggest threat once again is expected to come from the Corey Bennett-coached Hydel High School team , especially in Class Two where the likes of Kerrica Hill and Alana Reid are expected to put pressure on the Clayton twins, Tina and Tia, who were both beaten over the weekend in the 200m by former St Jago High star Briana Lyston, who now attends Hydel but cannot compete at Champs this year.
The boys from St Jago High have never lost at these championships and look set to continue their dominance once again where the 2000m steeplechase open, shot put Class Two, discus throw Class Two and long jump Class Two will get action under way, with the final set of events slated for 3:50 p.m.
The first session of the championships, which is set to run from 8:30 to 11:25, will only see only females competing as the girls from St Jago, Edwin Allen, Hydel, Vere Technical and Holmwood will battle it out in the 4x100m in all classes. Some 30 finals, 16 on the track and 14 in the field, will be contested today, with all field events being straight finals and timed finals for all track events.
The boys will be in action in the second session of competition, which begins at 1 p.m., where there are 25 finals, 14 on the track and 11 in the field. It is similar to the girls', as all field events are straight finals with timed finals for track events .
