Athletics smorgasbord this weekend

ATHLETES WILL get a final chance to qualify for the March 25-29 Inter-Secondary Schools Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), with three meets scheduled for this weekend, just ahead of Sunday’s entry deadline.

Two of the meets will take place in the Corporate Area – the Eastern Athletics Championships at Stadium East, spanning two days, starting tomorrow; and the Corporate Area Championships at Ashenheim Stadium, also running for two days beginning Friday.

Meanwhile, the G.C. Foster College will host the G.C. Foster College Classics on Saturday.

Based on the entries, all three meets are expected to be highly competitive. Being the final showdown before Champs, fans can anticipate outstanding performances, with athletes seeking psychological advantages ahead of the big event. Coaches will also be looking to make strong statements with their respective teams.

At Ashenheim Stadium, the battle among the boys’ powerhouses – Kingston College, Calabar, and Jamaica College – will continue. With no clear favourites for the Mortimer Geddes title, this meet should provide answers to several lingering questions.

Over at Stadium East, teams from eastern Jamaica, including Titchfield, St Mary High, Port Antonio High, and St Mary’s College, have been strong this season, and that trend is expected to continue over the two days of competition.

At the G.C. Foster College, the top female teams this season – Edwin Allen, Hydel, and Holmwood Technical – will be well represented. With these three schools set to battle for top honours at Champs, Saturday’s meet will be an important preview.

After many of their top athletes were absent at the recent Carifta Trials, the Ferry-based Hydel team will have all their key competitors in action. Saturday’s clash among the top three female teams will be crucial as it will answer several key questions leading up to Champs.