MVP set to unleash at Western Relays
Published:Wednesday | February 8, 2017 | 12:00 AMRaymond Graham
FANS in western Jamaica are in for a treat this Saturday when the 39th staging of the Milo Western Relays gets under way at noon inside the Montego Bay Sports Complex as the MVP Track Club and its core of high-power female athletes is expected to put in an impressive performance.
Led by double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson and with the likes of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, who were all individual medallist at the Rio Olympic Games last year, as well as relay medal winners Christania Williams and Stephenie-Ann McPherson, MVP's women will highlight what should be an exciting outing.
Among the females, their clash with the Maurice Wilson-conditioned Sprintec and G.C. Foster College teams will be an interesting one with the talent of Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby, Jura Levy and Gayon Evans fresh off her 7.14 seconds indoor 60m clocking in Germany last Saturday, more than capable of testing the MVP unit.
GREAT COMPETITION
Like the females, it should be great competition among the males as Julian Forte will lead the charge here for MVP, where strong competition is expected from the University of Technology and Sprintec, which a year ago took bragging rights after dominating the meet. MVP's team is expected to be boosted by the appearance of Nesta Carter, who will be competing, according to club president Bruce James.
Fans will also get a sneak preview of the Gibson-McCook Relays and the ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships in the female section as three of the most powerful high school teams in this category are set to square off. National champions Edwin Allen, Holmwood Technical and Hydel High should all have fans on their toes in what is expected to be a thriller.
Among the males, Kingston College will be well represented and will be hoping for another dominant performance at this meet. Their clash with St Elizabeth Technical in the 4x400m and 4x800m will highlight action among the males.
Two outstanding athletes who represented the country at the IAAF World Under-20 Championships in Poland last year, Nigel Ellis, formerly of St Elizabeth Technical, and Shannon Kallawan, formerly of Edwin Allen, will be the 2016 Gleaner Youthlink Awardees, while the patron of the meet will be Stephen Smith, who is the meet organiser of Western Championships and coach at Grange Hill High School.