No Claytons, no problem

UNDOUBTEDLY, EDWIN Allen High School’s girls have been the most dominant on the track and in the field for the past decade, winning the blue-riband ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) for the past nine years, inclusive of eight in a row.

The Clayton twins, Tina and Tia, have been a part of that winning juggernaut for the past five years, but with both athletes departing at the start of the 2022-2023 season to take up professional contracts, despite having one year of eligibility remaining, there are several experts who think that this could be the end of the Frankfield-based institution’s dominance.

The twins have been influential in the team’s success during their time at Champs and have been a part of two record-breaking team performances at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.

The Gleaner recently took a visit to the institution to view a training session to see what was happening in the wake of the loss of the twins.

“Things are falling into place with the departure of Tia and Tina even though we miss them a lot,” said Edwin Allen head coach Michael Dyke.

STILL CONFIDENT

The twins have been on unbeaten relay teams over the years but even with the loss after a record run in the 4x100m at Champs last year, Dyke still poses a confident figure.

“I think we are going to still have a very good Class I relay team this year, not like the super one we had last year, but with Serena Cole to lead the charge, we have one that can hold its own,” said Dyke.

With the departure of the twins, Cole the silver medallist in the 100 metres at the World Under-20 Championships in August in Cali, Colombia, is set to carry the fight for the team.

Dyke has a lot of confidence in Cole, even as several agents and managers of prominent shoe companies have tried to convince her to join the ranks of the professionals.

“I honestly don’t think Serena will be under pressure to do well. I am expecting her to be the most dominant sprinter in Class I but won’t put any undue pressure on her to do well,” said Dyke.

According to the coach, another Champs title is in the bag.

“Things will be the same and I honestly think this is the strongest overall team ever, especially with our young Class IV team, which is a super one and I expect them to dominate their peers as they are a quality bunch.”

The coach also spoke about two other athletes, he thinks, will have super performances.

“After capturing the sprint double in Class IV in 2021 and returning last year to do likewise in her first year in Class III, I think Theianna-Lee Terrelonge will be unstoppable in her second year in the Class and definitely she is one for the future.

“This is also the case for former Immaculate High athlete Jounaee Armstrong who in 2019 won the Class IV 200 metres and the long jump,” he said.

Armstrong, after sitting out a year will compete in Class II for her new school.

With the departure of the Clayton twins, Dyke was asked if he still expected to get the same kind of support and sponsorship for his team from donors.

“It is a fact that both sisters attracted a lot of attention and sponsorship for the team, but with their departure I am still confident that the support will not stop, as long as we continue to do well.”