Mon | Dec 23, 2024

KC set for 34th Champs title

Edwin Allen, Hydel going down to the wire

Published:Saturday | April 1, 2023 | 1:23 AMRaymond Graham/Gleaner Writer
(From left) Holmwood Technical’s Terrica Clarke, Hydel High’s Kaydeen Johnson and Edwin Allen’s Sanyae Gibson clear the obstacle during the girl’s 2,000 metres steeplechase open at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships a
Gladstone Taylor
(From left) Holmwood Technical’s Terrica Clarke, Hydel High’s Kaydeen Johnson and Edwin Allen’s Sanyae Gibson clear the obstacle during the girl’s 2,000 metres steeplechase open at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships at the National Stadium yesterday evening. John son won in 7:15.01 ahead of Clarke, 7:17.04, while Gibson placed third in 7:27.51.

IT SHOULD be a nail-biting finish to decide the female title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium. In the race for the boys’ title, defending champions Kingston College (KC), with a healthy 30-...

IT SHOULD be a nail-biting finish to decide the female title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

In the race for the boys’ title, defending champions Kingston College (KC), with a healthy 30-point lead, 190-160 over Jamaica College (JC), look well set to retain their title.

A total of 43 finals – 22 for the boys and 21 for the girls – are down to be contested on today’s final day of competition, which begins at 1 p.m.

Edwin Allen’s girls failed to put away Hydel High yesterday in areas they were expected to dominate, including the Class Four high jump, and could pay dearly.

Hydel were inspired by some good performances, especially in the Open 2,000m Steeplechase where Kaydeen Johnson scored a big upset to win the gold medal.

However, Edwin Allen’s girls are expected to increase their margin significantly after the three 800m finals, the first track events to be contested today. They have five athletes spread over the three classes, while Hydel only have Danielle King in Class Two.

Hydel hold the edge in the 200 metres where they have six finalists compared to Edwin Allen’s two, and coupled with their strength in the sprint hurdles, Hydel look set to outscore Edwin Allen big time. Sharika Christie is also poised to land the Ferry-based institution 12 points in the heptathlon.

Edwin Allen will be hoping for good results in the four field event finals down to be contested today, as well as in relay events.

There was bad news for Hydel last night, as they were disqualified in the sprint medley relay after winning their heat.

Among the boys, JC will need a day of super performances to peg back KC.

Both teams are evenly matched in 800m, with five finalists each. With Khandale Frue and Kemarrio Bygrave, JC have the advantage in Class One, while in Class Two, KC will be hoping for maximum points from Rikelme Hunter and Nahashon Ruto.

The defending champions have the edge in the 200m, where they have six qualifiers for the finals compared to JC’s two, Jaiden Reid and Malique Smith Band, who are expected to take maximum points in the Class One final.

JC are also hampered without teams in the Class One and Class Three sprint relay finals.

Points standings

Boys:- KC 190, JC 160, Calabar 95

Girls:- Edwin Alllen 147, Hydel 139.5, Holmwood 99