Spotlight on Calabar, GC Foster meets today

THE 2019 track and field season will step up a notch today with the staging of four development meets across the island.

In Kingston, the Wint/McKenley Classics will take the spotlight at Calabar High School; while the Central Hurdles and Relays is on at G.C. Foster College; the North Central Development meet in Discovery Bay, St Ann; and the Big Shot Throwing meet at Excelsior High School.

After two weekends of competition, the top teams are emerging and showing their quality, and today's meets should give a good pointer with regard to the teams that will be challenging for top honours at the ISSA Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships in late March.

Top female teams Edwin Allen High, Holmwood Technical, and St Jago High will come face to face in what is expected to be a battle royal at G.C. Foster as all three have thrown down the gauntlet so far with good performances. With the hurdles and relays down to be contested, this will definitely give fans a more realistic picture of the relative strength of the respective teams.

A large contingent of Kingston College athletes will also be on show here following a low-key build-up so far. Their charge will be led by outstanding jumper Wayne Pinnock, who will contest the Class One Boys 110m hurdles. St Jago and Jamaica College will be sending their best hurdlers and relay teams, and this should ensure keen rivalry among the boys' teams.

Events on the track will include the 4x400m and 4x800m Open, 4x100m relay in all classes, 400m hurdles, 2000m steeplechase, sprint hurdles in all classes, and 60m and 60m hurdles for clubs and institutions. There will also be action for clubs and institutions.

Top Class One athletes Christopher Taylor, De'Jour Russell, and Michael Stephens will make their season debuts at home at the fourth staging of the Wint/McKenley Classics.

St Elizabeth Technical, led by Sachin Dennis, will field a very big male team while among the females, Hydel High will be hoping to continue their good form this season along with a very improved Immaculate High.

Events down to be contested on the day are 100m, 400m, sprint hurdles, 400m hurdles, long jump, high jump, discus throw, shot put, and pole vault.

There will also be special sprint relays for prep and primary schools.