Holmwood impress coach

January 17, 2023
Dave Anderson
Dave Anderson

The 10-time ISSA/GraceKenndy Girls' Athletics champions Holmwood Technical dominated Saturday's JAAA/Puma/Fuller/Anderson Development Meet at Kirkvine, Manchester, and coach Dave Anderson was happy with their performance in their debut meet of the season.

Top teams Edwin Allen and St Jago competed elsewhere that day, which allowed Holmwood to overrun the other competitors and coach Anderson contends that his girls' times were good, despite the absence of their main challengers.

"It was a good outing from the girls despite our main rivals not being present. The girls were able to compete more relaxed and their times done on grass could be compared well with those on synthetic the same day and this is a good platform for them going forward," said Anderson, who expressed disappointment that most of his main rivals were absent.

The meet was making a return to the original venue after being held at GC Foster College of Sports and Education last year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From the start, Holmwood made their intentions known by finishing first and second in the opening 3,000 metres Open, with Florence Nafamba winning in 12:03.24 minutes, ahead of teammate Terrica Clarke, who did 12:05.13.

The Christiana-based Holmwood produced several other first and second finishes with Class II Abrina Wright leading the way with double success. Wright first captured the 200 metres in 25.77 seconds then ran 58.24 in the 400 metres, which Holmwood swept as her teammates Camio Whyte and Alijah Grant did 59.78 and 1:00.47 for second and third, respectively.

Holmwood won all 800 metres with Jovi Rose starting their victories after coming out on top in Class III in 2:26.97 seconds. In Class II, Cindy Rose won in 2:23.49 seconds, ahead of teammate, Andrene Peart in 2:25.36, while Jodyann Mitchell won in Class I in 2:17.58.

Following her double success a week earlier at Jamaica College, Alphansus Davis' Kishay Rowe continued her good form, as after finishing second overall in the Class I girls 800 metres in 2:22.25 minutes, she returned to capture the 400 metres in 59.65 seconds. Tia Clayton of MVP made her seasonal professional debut in the same heat and finished fourth amongst the four athletes as she jogged to stop the clock at 1:14.74.

In the boys' competition, Javon McKoy of Ferncourt High led the way with two wins in Class III, which were in the 200 metres in 24.42 seconds and the 400 metres in 55.38.

Holmwood Technical pair Oraine Williamson and Davion Whyte ruled supreme in Class II and Class I boys 400 metres. Williams won in 52.46 seconds, while Whyte did so in 50.86.

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