Purewater/JC meet to kick off 2016 track season

The 2016 track and field season will get under way on Saturday with the 23rd staging of the Purewater/JC track and field meet on the grounds of Jamaica College (JC), Old Hope Road, starting at 8:30 a.m.

With the ISSA-Grace-Kennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships to be contested in early March, expectations are that this could be the biggest opening meet in many years. The meet is one of the qualifiers for the championships as the respective coaches will want to ensure that their charges meet qualifying standards early and take off some early pressure as January is loaded with several development meets.

McCrea to be honoured

As usual, a Jamaica College past student who has contributed significantly to the school's sports programme will be honoured at the meet, and this year's honouree will be Andrew McCrea. McCrea will be recognised for his contribution to the development of track and field at JC.

As usual, athletes will compete in two categories: high schools and clubs and institutions. The age groups for high schools are Under-19, Under-16, and Under-14 for boys; while for girls, it will be Under-19, Under-15, and Under-13.

The second category will comprise a mix of clubs and institutions, with competition for males and females.

Track events to be contested will be 100m, 800m, 3000m for females, and 5000m for males. There will also be sprint hurdles events over 70m, 80m, 100m, and 110m.

Five field events will also be contested - long jump, discus, high jump, shot put, and pole vault.

Purewater/JC will once again be awarding 10 individual trophies to the outstanding performers selected by the judges in each class and category.

Entries for the meet will be accepted up to noon tomorrow, and according to the organisers, no entries will be accepted on the day of competition.