After more than 13 years in the wilderness, Dunoon Technical are returning to the annual ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships for the 2020 renewal. This year’s meet is set for the National Stadium from March 24-28.

The East Kingston-based school that is well known for its exploits in football, having won the Manning Cup competition in 1998, last competed at the prestigious Boys and Girls’ Championships in 2006.

Head coach Wayne Campbell, who has been guiding the programme, told The Gleaner that he, along with the rest of the technical staff, has put a lot work into the programme and they have had some success so far.

“We are just trying to jump-start the programme this year and so far things have been looking good for us,” said Campbell.

“The programme actually started late, but we have had three athletes making the qualifying times for Champs and we are still expecting some more to get the times as we move close to the championships,” he said.

“I am just laying the foundation for the future because we have a great group of kids that really work hard and based on the tests that we have done with these kids, we have seen major improvements,” Campbell said.

He noted that they currently have 30 athletes in training and from that group Turran Newell in the Class One 800m, Raul Parchment in the Class Two 400m and Mickaylia Taylor in the Class One 400m have all qualified for this year’s Champs.

“For a lot of them it is a first time because at least half of them have never run track before and this is an eye-opener for them and so most of the times they are out there for the experience and they understand that,” Campbell said.

He added that the support from the school community has been great because everyone is joining in to assist the coaches.

“I must say hats off to the teachers who are giving us time to work with the kids. We are ­working with them to ensure that the ­athletes also excel in their schoolwork as well,” Campbell said.