Sprint to the finish! - KC, Edwin Allen on track for Champs glory
Published:Saturday | March 30, 2019 | 12:00 AMAndre Lowe
It has been 10 years since a Kingston College’s (KC) hand last touched the Mortimer Geddes trophy, but after another day of metronomic efficiency at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships yesterday, purple hearts are getting ready to exhale.
Yesterday’s penultimate day of competition saw another strong KC performance, and with the ‘Purples’ qualifying more finalists – and quality ones at that – for today’s assignments, it will take considerable wizardry from Michael Clarke and the Calabar High camp to deny the North Street-based institution their first hold on the title since 2009.
It’s been a year of streak-breaking for KC, which ended a 32-year wait for the Manning Cup title late last year, a result that no doubt played a major role in motivating the track and field team for their assault on the Champs crown.
Known for their resilience and exceptional management, Calabar has struggled so far to keep up with their fierce rivals in a campaign that seemed doomed even before the first event at these championships with off-track distractions, which one would expect must have had an impact.
Add several misfortunes during the early stages of the championships and it became apparent that what was already a tough task to retain the title they have held since 2012 would become an even greater challenge.
After 17 events, KC sit at the top of the points standings with 180 points, with the defending champions sitting in second on 140 after 18 finals. Jamaica College, 104; St Jago, 39; and Wolmer’s, 31, round out the top five.
On the girls’ side, Edwin Allen look set to continue their reign with none of the expected rivals showing any real ability to match their quality and depth over the past four days.
The girls from Frankfield currently enjoy a massive lead in the standings with 150 points. Hydel trails way down the field on 87. St Jago, 81; Holmwood, 79; and Rusea’s, 45, are the other front-runners.
Despite their advantage, the leaders – KC in particular – will be well aware that there is still work to be done on the final day. After all, there are a few more dangerous things around than a lion on the hunt.