Hydel declared Central champs after review of hurdles result

Hydel High are now the girls’ champions for the 2023 Central Athletics Championships.

The Corey Bennett-coached Hydel were declared champions following an overnight review of the results of the Class Two girls’ 100 metres hurdles.

In a very close battle, Hydel won with 357.5 points with Edwin Allen second on 357.

The new points standing followed a change in the finishing positions in the girls’ Class Two 100m hurdles. Hydel’s Jodyann Daley, who was originally placed fifth in 13.86, was moved up to third after a protest from her school.

Chairman of track and field for the Central Athletics Championships, Foga Road High Principal Orrett Wallace, explained how the new points standing was arrived at.

“Following the final points tally on Thursday, an adjustment has been made to the scores and Hydel are now overall champions of the females by .5 of a point. On Thursday evening on my way from the meet, I got a call from the Data Management that Corey Bennett of Hydel had called making a protest stating that his athlete had finished third in an event and not fifth. A genuine mistake was made which supported Mr Bennett’s claim as there was a mix-up with the colours of the Hydel competitor and a St Catherine High girl and the necessary adjustment was made,” said Wallace who added that he contacted the principal and coach of Edwin Allen who gracefully accepted the decision.

“We will arrange to collect the trophy from Edwin Allen so that we can make an official presentation to Hydel, so the public will know that they are the official champions,” said Wallace.

Coach of Edwin Allen, Michael Dyke, was disappointed that his team was unable to win their 12th title in a row.

“It is very disappointing to know that we have to give up the title this way but it was indeed a human error and we accept this. The girls are very disappointed also but they will use this as a motivation for the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships. In future the organisers have to be more careful in sending out information to teams and the public,” said Dyke.