Edwin, Tracey star at Classic

Raymond Graham, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Edwin Allen High's sprint relay team and Ristananna Tracey of Racers Track Club produced exceptional performances at yesterday's UTech Classic at the National Stadium.

The MVP quartet of Carrie Russell, Aneisha McLaughlin, Shericka Williams, and Nadine Palmer produced the first record of the day as they stopped the clock at 43.31 seconds to win the women's sprint relay. However, it was the Edwin Allen foursome - Christania Williams, Claudette Allen, Saqukine Cameron, and Monique Spencer - that had the crowd in a frenzy. In finishing second, they became the first schoolgirl team to go under 44 seconds, crossing the line in 43.95. UTech took third in 43.99. All three teams went below the 44.12 set in 2008 by G.C. Foster College.

Head coach of the history-making Edwin Allen team, Michael Dyke, was not surprised by the fast time.

"I knew all along that they had it in them, and as long as they got good competition, they would have done so; and running against the likes of MVP and UTech, they got what they wanted," said Dyke.

Christania Williams, who ran a scorching lead-off leg, was very elated about her team's effort.

"This is the first time I am running in a big relay meet for my school, and I am very happy that we were able to run that fast and break the record," said Williams.

Tracey, running in her first 400m hurdles race of the season, won in world-leading 55.64. Her time bettered the 56.32 mark set by Kaliese Spencer in 2009. Janieve Russell of UTech was second in 57.27, with Rhonda Whyte of G.C. Foster College third in 59.23.

men's sprint relay

In the men's sprint relay, Racers continued to show that they are the best locally, as the quartet of Mario Forsythe, Michael Frater, Warren Weir, and Yohan Blake clocked 38.41 to turn back a strong UTech, second in 38.42. Blake, who anchored for Racers, had to come from behind to pip UTech's Tyquendo Tracy.

"We did not practice for this event, and the changes were not good, but we are still happy for the win," said Blake, who was injured at this meet a year ago.

Calabar High were again in record-breaking mood yesterday, following record runs at the Gibson Relays and Boys and Girls' Championships. Yesterday, they clocked 40.06 in the sprint relay to erase the 40.46 Bridgeport did in 2011. Kingston College, 40.26, were second and St George' College third in 40.47.

With Edwin Allen absent, Holmwood Technical took advantage to win the schoolgirls' 4x100m in 44.80 ahead of St Jago High (45.43) and Hydel High, 46.32.