A BLUE BLOWOUT?

JAMAICA College (JC) have taken what may turn out to be an unassailable lead in their fierce battle with Kingston College (KC) for the boys’ title at the 2026 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships (Champs).

Meanwhile, hot favourites for the girls’ crown, Edwin Allen High, appear home and dry, and barring a monumental collapse, will regain the title tomorrow night.

JC, the 2021 boys’ champions, are on top with 119 points from 14 of 42 events going into today’s fourth day of the five-day meet. They are followed by KC (68), Calabar High (65.5), St Jago (41), and Wolmer’s Boys (30).

Edwin Allen High are also way out in front among the girls with 94.5 points after 15 of 46 events. In second are defending champions Hydel High on 60, and they are followed by Holmwood Technical (57), Immaculate Conception (52), and Convent of Mercy (Alpha) on 30.5.

JC’s performance yesterday was highlighted by Joseph Salmon, who produced two massive throws in the Class One Boys’ discus.

With his second attempt, he threw 67.35m to break the Champs record of 66.88 metres, set by former Calabar High standout Traves Smikle in 2011. He then bettered that mark with his fifth attempt, producing a lifetime best of 67.52m.

Nat’l record

The mark is a new national under-20 record and also a world-leading U20 mark. It was also the eighth-best ever for an U20 athlete. Kamari Kennedy of Calabar finished second with 60.84m, and Munro College’s Rajeem Street was third with 59.13m.

Hydel High’s Zavien Bernard won the Class Two Girls’ Long Jump with a distance of 5.75m. Rajana Pryce of Convent of Mercy (Alpha) finished second with 5.61m, and Campion College’s Stefanco Henry was third with 5.59m.

In the Class Three Boys’ High Jump finals, Kingston College picked up valuable points with a one-two finish. Jayden Bailey won with a clearance of 1.78m. His teammate, Joel Patrickson cleared the same height for second while Jamaica College’s Donovan Simpson Brown was third with a best of 1.75m

Sanique Watt of Immaculate Conception High won the Girls’ Class Three High Jump with 1.71m. Jessica Francis of Alphansus Davis High and Kemoya Campbell of Edwin Allen High tied for second with 1.68m.

Anastacia Richards of St Elizabeth Technical captured the Class Four long jump with a distance of 5.32m. Sukhuri Shay Smith of Immaculate was second with 5.13m, and Gabrielle Fletcher of St Andrew High ended third with 5.10m.

KC’s Jason Pitter was on fire during the 400 metres finals last night. The defending champion in the Class Two 400m retained his title in fine style, smashing Christopher Taylor’s 2016 record of 46.33 seconds with a lifetime best 45.76.

Running a well-controlled race, Pitter timed his run perfectly to win going away. Early leader Jaeden Campbell of Excelsior High finished second in 46.74, with third going to Diwayne Sharpe of Calabar in 46.82.

In a thrilling Class One Girls’ final, Kelly Ann Carr of Edwin Allen held off a strong challenge from Hydel’s Nastassia Fletcher, winning in a personal best 52.20. Fletcher clocked 52.48 for second, while third went to Abrina Wright of Holmwood in 52.81.

Foga Road High picked up two big wins in the one-lap event. First, Shanieka McLean posted a personal best 52.28 to win the Class Three 400m ahead of Sashana Johnson of Hydel (53.43) and Annastacia Hall of Holmwood (54.22).

Paul Henry of Foga Road won the Class One Boys’ event in 46.21 ahead of Junior Galimore of Hydel (46.33) and Makaelan Woods of Jamaica College (46.39).

Earlier, Tyecia McDonald of Hydel won the Class Two Girls’ 400m in 55.00 while in the Class Three Boys’ 400m JC had a one-two finish as Jayden Whyte won in 50.10 ahead of teammate Tariq Creary, 50.69.

Today’s fourth and penultimate day will start at 9:06 a.m.