By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
KINGSTON COLLEGE's boys and Holmwood Technical's girls begin their defence of high schools' top track and field prizes today - in what is expected to be one of the most competitive ISSA/VMBS Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships ever.
The four-day meet begins today at 8:30 a.m. and most observers say Boys and Girls Champs 2004 will be difficult to call and the winners may not be decided until the final event on Saturday.
Four finals are on today, they include The Gleaner/Youthlink sponsored triple jump Open, discus Classes 1 and 3 girls and long jump boys.
Of the three girls finals scheduled for today, Holmwood with Althea Duncan and Andrene Miller (triple jump) and PetaGaye Beckford and Shaneka Parkes (discus class one) should provide their team with the early lead.
In the only boys' final, Morant Bay with leading Class 1 long jumper should take the lead.
Defending boys champions Kingston College, seeking a record 27th title, are early favourites. Holmwood, despite not having depth in the lower classes, can repeat and take a second title.
KC's head coach Lennox Graham has admitted that it will be difficult to get up to last year's winning total of 242 points.
"There are a lot of good things coming from other teams and as such the meet will be competitive. But we are confident in our abilities and we will be coming to win," Graham said.
KC's hopes now rest on the shoulders of Fabian Morgan (shot put and discus), Carlos Mattis long, triple and high jumps, Alain Bailey (high and long jumps) and Andre Wellington (100m and 200m) in Class 1.
For Bailey and Wellington, this will be their first year against the 'big boys'. Both dominated Class 2 last year, winning two events each.
Holmwood's coach Maurice Wilson is confident.
"We have worked hard and have come a far way this season so I expect to come out on top. I would also like to win this year's championships as a send off gift for some athletes who have served the team and the country well. Athletes like Tracy-Ann Rowe, Althea Duncan and Peta-Gaye Beckford."
Holmwood are strong in Classes 1 and 2 and Wilson is eyeing a 100m to 800m sweep in Class 2.
"I expect Central Champs sprint double winner Anastisia Le-Roy to duplicate that showing at Champs. Sonita Sutherland who ran 53.18 at Carifta Trials should win the 400m and if Le-Roy puts a foot wrong can defeat her in the 200m. Vanessa Boyd can win the 800m while I expect Rose-Marie Whyte to win the long jump where she has a season-best of 6.15m and be among the top four in the high jump."
In Class 1, Holmwood have a galaxy of 'stars', Anneisha McLaughlin and Tracy-Ann Rowe in the sprints, Beckford in the long jump and throws, and the sprint relay where they should easily go under the record.
Wilson has also predicted that Holmwood will win at least three open events, the 4x400m, triple jump with Althea Duncan and shot put (Beckford) and Javelin with national junior record holder Shaneka Parkes.
In terms of challengers for the defending boys champions KC, Calabar, Jamaica College (JC) and St. Jago are strong contenders.
MAIN RIVALS
Main rivals Calabar High are not a 'star studded' team, but they have some depth.
Assistant coach Kevin Pryce believes they have what it takes to cop a 20th title. It is expected that most of their points will come in Class Three. According to Price, "We have two outstanding guys in Tesfa Hamilton (200m and 400m) and Shawn Robinson in the 800m."
Hamilton has not lost a 400m race all season while Robinson is unbeaten in the 800m. At February's Gibson Relays, Calabar did very well on the track, but are weak in Class 1 where they will be relying heavily on the talented Josef Robertson in the 400m, 400m hurdles open, 4x100m and 4x400m.
Holmwood's main threats should be St. Jago and Vere, but they will also want to keep a close eye on Edwin Allen. After winning the National Hurdles and Field Event Championships and reaching all the finals at Gibson Relays, St. Jago's coach Raymond 'KC' Graham believes "We have the team on paper to win."
