KC brave in Champs defeat

Though bruised and stunned by last weekend's defeat to bitter rivals Calabar, yesterday's mood at ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys Championships giants Kingston College (KC) was a mix of bravery and belief that they will overcome, and hopefully win the title soon.

Twenty-seven-time holders Calabar have won the illustrious Mortimer Geddes trophy six times consecutively, while the 'Purples' of North Street are seeking their first hold since 2009, despite coming very close, again.

At KC yesterday, while Calabar and Edwin Allen (Girl's Champions) celebrated, it was a regular school day, with early-morning devotion.

One member of the school's team, Class One star sprinter, Jhevaughn Matherson, was spotted being dropped off by his guardian, Stewart Jacobs.

Jacobs was confident, "Our school spirit will always remain our foundation."

ANOTHER YEAR AHEAD

"As our motto states, the brave may fall, but never yield. We have one year to plan back for Champs, our athletes will go into exam mode now, then Penn Relays and CARIFTA," an optimistic Jacobs said.

Around eight KC athletes will be representing Jamaica at CARIFTA this year.

Matherson, on whom KC's Class One hopes rested, was injured in the semi-finals of the 100 metres, last Friday.

He pulled out of the event via a false start, but managed to finish the 200m final.

"He is in high spirits, and he will definitely be back next year, and will be doing the double next year," outlined his guardian.

The athlete will enter his final year of Class One.

Jacobs is also the Kingston College parent-teacher Association (PTA) president, and stated he could no longer support coach Neil Harrison as KC coach, following this year's defeat.

"I don't give the coach confidence; we (KC) can't lose Champs like that. Frankly speaking, you can't have a team with depth like this and still lose Champs," he reasoned.

Meanwhile, the institution's dean of discipline, Ainsworth Walker, called yesterday a regular school day, noting that the athletes should be in school during the course of the day and week.

Parent Joan Harper, who was present for all five days, said she was "proud of my boys, despite the fact that they didn't win".

Fifth-form student Kevoan Daley admitted to being a little disappointed, however, noted that the loss was "better than a couple of years ago."

"I hope we will win next year," he outlined.