Calabar’s sprinters sizzle at Gibson McCook

THE CALABAR quartet of Jamal Stephenson, Shaquane Gordon, Dijon Swaine, and Khamali Gordon, the big favourites to win the Boys’ Class 1 4x100 metres at the Gibson McCook Relays, did not disappoint yesterday at the National Stadium, producing a superb 39.60 seconds to secure victory.

The Red Hills Road team got off to a lightning-fast start, leading all the way in an impressive win. Three teams went under 40 seconds, with Jamaica College finishing second in 39.88, ahead of Excelsior High, who clocked 39.99 for third.

Jamaica College emerged as the top-performing relay sprinters, though, capturing the Class 3 and 4 events.

In the Class 3 4x100 metres, Jamaica College silenced the St Jago High fans. The Spanish Town-based team, boasting a strong core of Class 3 athletes, was expected to dominate. However, Jamaica College took care of business, winning in 42.44. St Jago had to settle for second in 42.80, with Calabar finishing third in 43.10.

Jamaica College’s second win came in Class 4, where they clocked 45.14 to finish ahead of Wolmer’s (45.39) and St Jago (45.71)

Kingston College pulled off a surprise victory in the Class 2 4x100 metres. Running out of lane eight, they led from the start and held off a fast-finishing Calabar to win in 41.26. Calabar were clocked at 41.26 as well, while Edwin Allen High secured third place in 41.41.

There was high drama in the clubs and institutions 4x100 metres. Racers Track Club, featuring Oblique Seville on the start and Zharnell Hughes on the anchor leg, encountered baton exchange problems, resulting in their failure to finish.

38.68 victory

The Dynamic Speed team, including Yohan Blake, Ackeem Blake, and Sandrey Davidson, capitalised on the mishap, storming to victory in a fast 38.68. Elite Performance finished second in 39.53, while G.C. Foster Lions took third in 39.66.

SprinTec claimed the Women’s 4x100m event for colleges and clubs, with anchor leg Jodean Williams leading them to a meet record 43.06. Elite Performance finished second in 43.73, while UTech were third in 45.46.

Edwin Allen were the top-sprinting female team, securing two relay victories. In a nail-biting finish, their Class 1 team won in 44.81 seconds – the same time recorded by Hydel, who were second – while Holmwood secured third in 45.04.

Edwin Allen’s second win came in Class 4, where they clocked 47.56 to edge Holmwood, who finished second in 47.82. Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) were third in 48.06.

St Jago defended their Class 3 title, upstaging Edwin Allen to win in 46.51. Edwin Allen finished second in 46.57, while Alpha secured third in 47.56.

Hydel turned back favourites Edwin Allen to win the Class 2 event in 45.79. Edwin Allen finished second in 45.91, with Vere Technical third in 46.00.

In the prep school competition, Hydel’s under-12 4x100m boys’ team made history by becoming the first team ever to go under 50 seconds, winning in a record 49.83. Vaz Prep were second in 51.98, while St Andrew Prep finished third in 54.25.

In individual events earlier in the day, St Jago High’s Ryan Achau of Kenya maintained his impressive middle-distance form this season, successfully defending his title in the men’s 1,500 metres. He clocked a personal best of 3:52.06. His countryman, Peter Njuguna of Kingston College, finished second in a personal best of 3:57.58, while Achau’s teammate, Raheim Walker, took third in 4:09.52.

In the field, 2019 world long jump champion Tajay Gayle wrote his name in the record books, leaping 8.34 metres. Gayle, who switched clubs at the start of the 2024-2025 season from MVP to Ricketts Performance Club, erased the previous meet record of 7.95 metres set by Nicholas Gordon in 2015. His winning mark places him second on the world rankings, just behind Italy’s Mattia Furlani, who leads with 8.37 metres.

Gayle’s teammate, Tissana Hickling, also secured a win, claiming victory in the women’s long jump with a mark of 6.60.