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Williams Elite Academy chasing three-peat at Western Prep Champs
May 15, 2025
Defending champions Williams Elite Academy will be eyeing a three-peat for the third staging of the Western Prep Schools Championship.
Lloyd's Department Store is the new title sponsor of the competition, which is organised by Western Athletics and Sports Development.
Duwayne Webb, coach of Williams Elite Academy, told STAR Sports he is happy for the exposure the students are getting with this competition, during the launch at Mount Alvernia High/
"It will be a deal breaker for us if we win another title. We never get complacent or relaxed in any situation and work through whatever obstacle in our way. We see where we stand," said Webb, whose school placed second in the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Prep School Championships last year.
"A competition like this is a blessing to the western region for preparation towards the championship. I am looking forward to the competition and for my athletes to go out there and gain the exposure," Webb added.
Nine schools have been confirmed and the organisers say they are open to adding more teams. Some schools on board include St Mary's Prep, DMP Academy, St James Prep and Montego Bay Prep. This year, the newest school on board is Whitter Institute.
Andrew Henry, the competition's director, expects high intensity action this year.
"The competition will be more intense than when we had started out in 2023. It is going to be a stiff competition based on the teams performing this year," said Henry.
"I realise the coaches are putting in some quality work than they would have done in previous years, I really expect that some records will be set," added Henry.
Organisers are expecting over 150 students.
Events include the open boys' and girls' high jump and open boys and girls' long jump; open boys' and girls' 400m; Class Four boys' and girls' 60m, 80m and shuttle relays; Class Three boys' and girls' 80m, 150m and 4x100m relay; Class One and Two boys' and girls' 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay; open boys' and girls' sprint medley relay, and 4x200m relay.
Ryan Wright, coach of St. Mary's Prep said the most important thing for the students is to have fun and get exposure.
"Kudos to Mr Henry, he is doing a great thing. I think we as coaches need to form a committee and focus on exposing the athletes," said Wright.
"It is difficult to travel back and forth to Kingston. This is for us in western Jamaica so the students can look forward to something in the near future," he added.
With the JISA all-island meet a month away, Henry stated that the importance of the championships is to prepare the students.
"It is an ideal time of the year for them to compete. It is similar to getting ready for Boys' and Girls' Champs. The schools in western Jamaica are going to be much more prepared," Henry said.
"I am hoping that the Montego Bay Sports Complex will be back up and running so our students will be given the opportunity to compete on a synthetic track for a competition of this magnitude."
The one-day track and field competition is set for Friday, May 16 at Cornwall College, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Other major sponsors include SeaGarden Beach Resort, Clinicare Pharmacy and Island Alert Security Company Ltd.
