Sport

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The 27th staging of the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA)/ Sagicor National Primary, All-Age and Junior High Schools Championships got off to a glorious start yesterday as the first of two records was set in the first of the 10 finals contested on the opening day.

Defending champions St Andrew ended the day with a 42-point lead as they hunt their 16th lien on the title. St Andrew have amassed 88 points, followed by Kingston and Portland, who both have 46. St Elizabeth, 42, and St Catherine, 32, round out the top five.

St Andrew were responsible for both records with Ranique Gray setting a new mark in the girls' long jump open. She leapt 5.38 metres to eclipse the old mark of 5.25 metres set back in 1990 by Angella Seal of St Elizabeth.

Second went to Gray's teammate Ayesha Champagnie, with a distance of 5.25m, while St Elizabeth's Junelle Broomfield (4.84m) took third.

Gray, who was overall champion girl at last year's championship, was naturally elated with her achievement.

"I feel very great to win as I received competition from my teammate, Ayesha Champaine," said Gray. "I want to thank my coach, he has motivated me throughout," she added.

The 14-year-old John Mills Primary and Junior High students returned later in the day to take second in heat two of the Girls 400m Under-17. She, however, has her sights set on going all the way in the 400m.

"I want to represent Jamaica and go for the 400m record at the Olympics and I am very determined."

Althea Russell, also of St Andrew, tossed her way into the record books with a throw of 9.74m in the girls shot put open to better the previous mark of 9.65m, which was set by Ornella Newby of St Andrew in 2005.

Renae Medley, also of St Andrew, notched second with a throw of 8.33m, with third going to Seedera Wint (8.13m) of Portland.

St Andrew's sports coordinator, Stephan Brown, is very confident that they will be able to hold on to their lead on today's final day.

"I am leading by more than 30 points and in a number of finals tomorrow so I am really comfortable," said Brown. "I have not seen many of the races to see how well Portland is doing, but I think we should be able to hang on tomorrow.

"After the relays then we can decide, finally, how we stand because if we qualify for most of the relay finals we should be in good stead," he added.