Mona take pole entering final day of JISA Prep Champs
Published:Saturday | June 17, 2023 | 1:00 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
While it was a strong day in the field for Hydel Prep, the pendulum swung the way of Mona Prep as they soared into pole position yesterday heading into today’s final day of the JISA/Little Caesars National Prep Schools Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.
Mona Prep have a double-digit lead, accumulating 80.5 points. Hydel Prep are in second place with 66 and Our Lady of the Angels Prep, who took an early lead on Thursday, are now in third place with 55.
Hydel Prep scored crucial points in the field with victories in the high jump for both boys and girls. Ruchelle-Lee Lewis won the girls’ Class One high jump title with 1.35 metres with St Hugh’s Prep’s Gianna Punancy second after clearing 1.30m. Mona Prep’s Arihanna Pottinger was third, also with 1.30m. Rajeve Allison led a Hydel one-three in the boys’ Class One event, winning in 1.55m. Jahari Clayton of Emmanuel Christian Academy was second with 1.50m while Allison’s teammate Imaney Samuels,1.50m, was third. Franchesa Herron’s effort of 4.03m saw her take the Class One girls’ long jump title with Stella Maris Prep’s Maia Campbell, 3.95m, finishing second and St Theresa Prep’s Alaina Thompson getting third with 3.81m.
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Hydel’s head coach Corey Bennett has played down their chances of taking the title this year and is focused on getting good performances from a team that is rebuilding.
“We are trying to rebuild. I do not think that we are there yet. But hopefully, we can get some good performances. We have to increase our numbers in the team and get a little more spread in the programme. We are rebuilding but let’s see what happens,” Bennett said.
Richmond Park captured the first medal on the track as their 4x200m mixed relay team stormed to victory in one minute 49.00 seconds with Mona Prep finishing second in 1:57.86. Stella Maris Prep were third in 1:59.24
In the 100m, Lannaman’s Prep had some good results with Mick-Kayla Gardener winning the girls’ Class One title in 12.93 seconds. Vaz’s Jowanna Pennant was second in 13.11 while Hydel’s Kalece Williams was third in 13.29. The boys’ Class One title was won by Wolmer’s Prep’s Joel McKenzie in 12.02 while Avondale Prep’s Joshua Ricketts was second in 12.10. Sts Peter and Paul’s Dejaun Ennis was third in 12.20. Ardenne Prep’s Crisan Allen had a dominating performance to win the Class Two title in 13.63 while St Catherine’s Amir Perrin won the Class Two boys’ title in 13.50. Mount Saint Joseph’s Khariah Peart won the girls’ Class Three crown in 15.73 seconds with Lannaman’s Prep Kemoya Taylor second in 15.96 and Mona Prep’s Gabrielle Phinn, third in 15.99. The boys’ title was won by Lannaman’s Devoran Dixon who stopped the clock at 14.83.