Upbeat Dyke eyes girls’ title at next week’s Champs

AFTER losing the girls’ title at last year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs) to Hydel High, the Michael Dyke-coached Edwin Allen High are once again the overwhelming favourites to pick up their 11th crown at next week’s meet.

After a slow start to the season Edwin Allen are now the dominant girls’ team after delivering commanding performances at the various development meets.

Despite not being at full strength at the Central Athletics Championships, they were still able to dominate the meet where main rivals Hydel were missing. At the Carifta Trials, Edwin Allen produced some outstanding performances and showed that they are ready to get back to winning ways.

Nine members of their squad were named to represent Jamaica at next month’s Carifta Games to be held in St George’s, Grenada — the second highest ever from the institution.

Coach Dyke is very upbeat and thinks this will be added motivation for those selected, as well as the remainder of the team.

“This is indeed great motivation for the girls just a couple of days before Champs. Representing one’s country is a privilege and these girls will be pumped up, as they will be willing to solidify their selection,” said Dyke. “After so many mishaps at Champs last year, it has been a long wait and the girls are ready to redeem themselves.”

Class Two athlete Kevongaye Fowler is the school’s top Carifta Games team member. After impressive wins in the Under-20 800m in a lifetime best 2:07.6 and 4:39.82 in the 1500m where she was third, she looks a cinch for the double here.

Other winners in the Under-20 age group were Maria Crossfield over 400m hurdles in a personal best 58.71 seconds to be the leader in the event ahead of Champs. Another Under-20 winner was Sushana Johnson in the 3000m in 10:31.70 as she looks set to defend her title at Champs.

The other Under-20 athlete making the team is Reneica Edwards in the 100m. She was third in 11.58 seconds behind Shanoya Douglas of Holland High and Natrice East of Wolmer’s Girls, and she will be a member of the 4x100m team.

Three members of their Class Three team were winners in the Under-17 category, led by jumper Dashanelle Clarke. She won the long jump with 5.67m and the triple jump in a lifetime best 11.98m.

Sprint hurdler Tashana Godfrey, who will defend her Class Three 80m hurdles title, made her first appearance ever in the 100m hurdles and won impressively in a wind-aided 13.00 seconds, well ahead of former teammate Macaila Gordon, competing for Convent of Mercy (Alpha). Gordon was second in 13.47.

Class Three defending 800m champion Aneka Lowe won the Under-17 event in 2:13.67, while sprinter Daneila Clarke was second in the 200m in a personal best 24.42 seconds and third in the 100m in 11.86.

High jumper Kamoya Campbell ended a good Carifta Trials campaign for Edwin Allen, booking her ticket in the Under-17 high jump with a second-place finish and a best of 1.70 metres.