Carr banking on Class Three for Wolmer’s Girls
Published:Saturday | February 25, 2023 | 12:15 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Although keeping his cards close to the vest, Wolmer’s High School for Girls’ head coach Michael Carr has promised that Jamaica will feel their presence at this year’s ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships particularly his Class Three athletes.
Wolmer’s Girls who finished last year in seventh place are looking to maintain that consistency, especially in their Class Three group of athletes. At last week’s S.W. Isaac-Henry Invitational, they displayed signs of that, highlighted by Tiana Marshall breaking the 80-metres hurdles meet record clocking 11.63 seconds for victory. While not revealing too much about the athletes he has ready to make a name for themselves next month, Carr guaranteed that their presence will be felt.
“We have a few individuals who could stand out, but generally, the team is getting there. People will know that we are at Champs. I won’t say anything specific just that they will know that we are at the championships,” Carr told The Gleaner, “I have a very good Class Three team. My vertical jumpers are doing exceptionally well, and my hurdlers are also (doing well). And we have a few people in the sprints. That’s where the points spread should come from.”
What could also help is a performance in the relays particularly the Class Three girls 4x100m and at today’s Gibson McCook Relays, they will have an opportunity to display that. Wolmer’s Girls finished sixth in last year’s Class Three 4x100m final.
The keys to the consistency for Wolmer’s according to Carr have not only been the goal-setting mindset that he wants for his athletes, but also instilling the self-belief.
“One of the ways is experience, having the experience to know what you want and how to get it. The other thing is motivation. As a coach you have to be a psychologist, and a motivator, you have to be there for everyone and implant that self-belief in the children. Let them believe in themselves. That goes a long way,” Carr said, “That is what we are trying to put to them and some soak it up like a sponge, some don’t, but it is what it is.”
Hinting at possible surprises, especially from some of the senior athletes, Carr expects them to make their marks this year.
“You never can tell. There might be a few people there that people will know they are at Champs. I am not in a position to call names, but athletes will be around,” Carr said.