By Elton Tucker,
Asst. Sport Editor
GIBSON Relays 2001 will long be remembered by Holmwood Technical High.
The maroon and gold clad school out of Manchester won six relays at the 26th renewal of the prestigious meet at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Coached by Maurice Wilson the girls squad won four events while the Edward Hector-coached boys, heavily backed before the meet for the 4x400m and 4x800m open, justified favouritism by taking both events.
Wilson said yesterday he was extremely happy with his team's performance.
"I am particularly pleased with the quality of our performances," Wilson said. The Holmwood coach added that the girls followed his instructions carefully, especially in the 4x800 metres and they were able to reap the rewards.
Holmwood's best performance came in the 4x400m open where they beat off persistent challenges from St. Jago High and Vere Technical to register an outstanding three minutes 36.93 seconds.
In the 4x800 metres the Holmwood girls wore down Edwin Allen Comprehensive on the final leg to win in 9.02.57. The runners-up Edwin Allen were second in 9.04.10 while St. Jago took third in 9.04.38.
Holmwood completed a hat-trick of wins in the open girls relays by holding off St. Jago and Vere Technical in the 4x200 metres. All three teams went under one minutes 36 seconds with the winners posting 1.35.23, St. Jago 1.35.45 and Vere Technical 1.34.84.
The Christiana-based school produced another outstanding performance in the Class 3 girls sprint relay for their fourth win of the night. Led by Anneisha McLaughlin who at age 14 is one of the island's leading junior athletes, Holmwood virtually romped the relay getting home in 45.92 well ahead of Edwin Allen and Vere Technical.
Holmwood's boys had to dig deep in their reserves to win both the 4x800m and 4x400m. The 4x400 metres was exciting throughout with Holmwood just edging a gallant Bridgeport on the line. Both were timed in 3.14.38. The winning time in the 4x800m was 7.49.93.
Defending girls champions Vere Technical shared some of the spotlight at the one-day relay carnival.
Led by Veronica Campbell, the world's fastest female junior, Vere ran a sizzling 44.87 to capture the Class 1 girls 4x100m from St. Jago High and Holmwood. Campbell gave her team the lead on the second leg and they maintained it to the end. Patricia Hall, better known as a 400m hurdles runner, ran the anchor leg.
Vere followed up the Class 1 win with victory in the Class 2 sprunt relay. Holmwood were on the receiving end this time with Simone Facey getting past Sheryl Morgan almost on the line. Vere clocked 46.01 with Holmwood second in 46.09. Manchester High were third in 46.74.
St. Jago High look the team to beat in the Class 1 sprints at Boys Championships. Coached by 1983 400m world champion Bertland Cameron St. Jago showed rivals a clean pair of heels in both the 4x100m and 4x200m. They were, however, disqualified in the 4x100m (after clocking 40.87) for changing the baton outside the box on the final leg. Jamaica College were awarded the race. They clocked 41.10.
There were no mishaps for St. Jago in the 4x200 metres. They led throughout to cross the line in 1.26.61. JC were second in 1.27.53 and Camperdown third 1.29.13.
Wolmer's Boys dominated the Class 3 sprints winning the 4x100m in 44.67 and the 4x200m in 1.34.53.
