C'bar has five-year plan to keep winning

Defending ISSA-GraceKennedy Boys' Athletics Champions Calabar High might have gone in with five consecutive titles under their belts, yet, for many, they were the underdogs to retain the coveted Mortimer Geddes Trophy, inside the National Stadium.

As the curtain came down on the meet last Saturday night, assistant coach Omar Hawes said he was happy 'sweet victory' was theirs yet again.

But, before the dust even settled, he made it clear that C'bar has a programme in place to hold on to the Mortimer Geddes Trophy for at-least another five years.

"Definitely! It's not about boasting or showing off, but I think Calabar can go on probably another five years with what we have in terms of talent, so once we continue to marshal the troops, harness the talents, and keep the programme like it is now, I don't see why we can't continue to win," a confident sounding Hawes noted.

C'bar could be considered the current de-facto of local Boys Champs' supremacy, overcoming arch-rivals and overall leaders with 31 titles Kingston College (KC), for a sixth consecutive season.

"Calabar fraternity, this one is special, this one is for all of you out there who had worries about the analysts who said we were going to be down by 50 points. We did it for all of you across the world and across Jamaica. Big up, six love!," gushed Hawes.

SMELLING VICTORY

Last Saturday, KC went into the last race, the 4x400m relays, on 309 points, smelling victory, courtesy of holding a four-point advantage over Calabar, and needing to finish at least second to become champions.

However, Calabar showed that being favourites meant very little, they sped away to victory in a very fast 3:08.76 for 12 invaluable points.

Jamaica College was third on 203, St Jago High fourth (157), and St. Elizabeth Technical High School completed the top five on 114.5 points.

"That motivated the team so much so we just came out and worked extra hard, we came here at 80 per cent fitness for the most part.

"Most of the athletes who garnered points for us on a yearly basis had issues with injuries. We had to be careful of where to run them, how to run them and why to run them," the assistant coach outlined.

Though jubilant in victory, he pointed to other factors that helped to deny KC.

"We got some help because we can't deny the fact that a St Jago team, a St Elizabeth team and Jamaica College team did the work that allowed us to be champions tonight, apart from the addition that we did, so we are glad for that as well," he said.

Hawes called Calabar "the team that never says die".

Hawes revealed to The Gleaner that the school will be throwing an upcoming celebration dinner to express gratitude for its athletes and parents in the near future.