Hawthorne happy with Penn Relays Wall of Fame nod

SINCE THE inception of the prestigious Penn Relays in 1964 where Kingston College became Jamaica’s first high school to participate, the island’s secondary education institutions have made their presence felt with dominant performances.

The meet will have its 127th staging this year, from April 27-29, and, for one institution, this edition is special.

For the second time, a team from St Jago High School will be inducted into the Wall of Fame where outstanding teams at the relay carnival are recognised for an exceptional performance or performances.

In 2007, the 4x100 metres relay quartet of Riker Hylton, André Walsh, Yohan Blake, and Nickeal Ashmeade created history when the Danny Hawthorne-coached team became the first ‘high schoolers’ to go under 49 seconds. The team won the event in a new championships record of 39.96 seconds.

It will be the second time a team from the Monk Street-based school in Spanish Town will be inducted. In 2004, the quartet of Carlton Allen, Mark Lucas, Eaton Evans and Michael Williams was inducted following their 4x800-metre relay victory in 1990.

HUMBLE FEELING

“For me, it is a humble feeling. Although it took a while to happen, nothing happens before the time, and to God be the glory. Once you put in the hard work you will be rewarded. My coaching talent is a gift from God and I am really pleased about what I have done over the years as a coach,” said Hawthorne, a senior lecturer at the G.C. Foster Colllege of Sports and Education. Hawthorne is also head track and field coach of his alma mater, Dinthill Technical.

The St Jago team will be the eighth Jamaican high-school team to find its way onto the Penn Relays Wall of Fame, with Vere Technical getting there on three occasions. Camperdown, like St Jago, have two entries on the Wall.

Jamaican teams on Penn Relays Wall of Fame

- 2003 – Camperdown High School boys’ 4x100m 1986 team of Derrick Thomas, Carey Johnson, Ralston Wright, Garfield Campbell

- 1997 – Camperdown High School girls’ 4x100m 1989 team of Marie Taylor, Revoli Campbell, Helena Rochester, Andrea Lloyd

- 2004 – St Jago High School boys’ 4x800m 1990 team of Carlton Allen, Mark Lucas, Eaton Evans, Michael Williams

- 2002 – Vere Technical girls’ 4x400m 1991 team of Charmaine Howell, Catherine Scott, Claudine Williams, Inez Turner

- 1995 – Vere Technical girls’ 4x800m 1991 team of Charmaine Howell, Claudine Williams, Janice Turner, Evette Turner

- 2004 – Vere Technical girls’ distance medley 1992 team of Charlene Robinson, Janice Turner, Evette Turner, Avia Morgan

- 2008 – Holmwood Technical girls’ 4x800m 2001 team of Kerri Ann Whyte, Karen Gayle, Anneisha McLaughlin, Sheryl Morgan