Champs Central as Edwin Allen celebrates win
Published:Monday | April 3, 2017 | 12:00 AMRobert Bailey
You could be excused for thinking it was their first Champs win. With deafening horns and flags all around, the Frankfield-based institution was transformed into Champs Central, as they celebrated their fifth girls' title in six years, after last weekend's ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.
Edwin Allen finished atop the standings with 304.5 points, a clear 49.5 points ahead of their closest rivals, Hydel High.
The students gathered in the school's quadrangle from early as 6:30 yesterday morning with vuvuzelas blowing while dancing to music, which was provided by telecommunications company FLOW. They were also entertained by comedian Pretty Boy Floyd.
Everton Walters, principal of Edwin Allen, said this was one of their greatest achievements.
"We were not deterred by what happened in 2013, because we lost by five points, but we were insistent that we were going to take it in 2014," he said. "We took it and we have held it since and I am very impressed with the team."
Walters added: "We want to have it as long as possible, even for the next five years, to maintain this dominance."
Edwin Allen's coach Michael Dyke said it was exciting to win the championships for another year despite their struggles during the event.
"It became challenging during the course of the championships, due to the fact that there is no such thing as a perfect championships, because we suffered our fair share of mishaps, but in the end, the girls stuck to the task," said Dyke.
"We had good experience, good quality, and they delivered in the end," he said.
Despite yesterday's celebrations, Edwin Allen High School's leaders were not losing sight of the bigger picture.
"We get our support from our community, which is farming," Dyke said. "We get whatever is available and whatever is possible from them, not just physical support but also motivational support, because there is a church that comes here every last Friday in the month to pray with the girls and provide that level of inspiration."
After the celebrations on the school grounds yesterday morning, the athletes paraded through the town of Frankfield and through to Chapelton, as they shared their victory with the communities who have been supporting them over the years.