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Top athlete Serena Cole admits that Edwin Allen have fallen short in some areas this season, but is confident that the coaching staff will be able to fix the problems they are currently encountering to ensure they win their ninth consecutive ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs) title.

The defending Champs champions narrowly staved off the challenges of Hydel at the Central Athletics Championships last week. Hydel were first declared the winners, but after a protest and an adjusted points tally, Edwin Allen got the title with 357 points, with Hydel getting 355.5 and Holmwood Technical High finishing third with 330.

These institutions are also expected to be in a three-way fight for the girls' sections of Champs, slated to take place at the National Stadium on March 28-April 1. Cole, the most experienced member of Edwin Allen, believes they will overcome the challenges of their rivals.

"I know that the Championships will be close, as we have some weak areas to fix before Champs, but I am very confident that coach (Michael) Dyke will do so; and at this stage we are not worried, as I am very confident that we will retain our title.

"I am appealing to our fans to come out in large numbers to support us at Champs, as despite a slight hiccup at Central Champs, we will not let them down," Cole said.

According to Cole, unlike previous Champs, Edwin Allen's strength this year will be in the 400 metres and middle-distance events, where she hopes they will garner enough points to win their 10th overall title, having won their first in 2014.

"Over the years while winning, we were not really strong in the 400 metres, but this time around we have improved big time in this area, as seen by our performances at the various meets, and this resulted in us winning the 4x400 metres relay at both Gibson/McCook Relays and Central Championships. This goes to show that we are ready to continue the dynasty," she said.

She reasoned that captain and Edwin Allen's head girl Leanna Lewis, vice-captain Monique Stewart and herself would motivate the other girls to retain their Champs title.

"We have some things to be fixed after Central Championships, and we, senior members of the team, are getting into the heads of the other girls to be focus going into Champs," she said.