Manchester’s maroon and gold steeped in pedigree
THE Girls’ Champs, organised by the Women’s Amateur Athletics Association, was started in 1957 with St Hilda’s High the first winner.
But despite producing some of the world’s best female athletes, including Olympian Una Morris, local fans never embraced the event until it was merged with the Boys’ Championship in 1999, and it was also the time that Holmwood Technical High School announced themselves.
Formed in 1936 with 51 boarding boys in Manchester, Holmwood was transformed into a technical school in 1961 with traditional subjects being offered.
“Deeds not words” is the motto of Holmwood Technical, and after promising for a while they announced themselves as Champs winners in 2003.
As the late Hubert Lawrence wrote in his book, Champs 100: A Juggernaut Begins to Roll, “Think Holmwood, you visualise Anneisha Mclaughlin. Think Holmwood and see the fancy maroon and gold hairstyles.”
Holmwood Technical had revolutionised Champs on their way to winning nine consecutive titles, between 2003 and 2011, and again in 2013.
Holmwood won their first title, amassing 276 points, and bettered St Jago on 241.5 with defending champion Vere Technical High School relegated to third on 182 points.
The legendary status of Mclaughlinwhilby was confirmed as she came into the 2003 Champs as the World Junior silver medallist in the 200m in a splendid 22.94 as a precarious 16-year-old.
The Class Two star had already dominated the regional Carifta Games in the 100m, 200m and 400m making her one of the most versatile runners, ever.
She won both the 200m and 400 in Class Two in 2003 and, along with Sonita Sutherland, Tracy-ann Rowe, Nyoka Cole and thrower Peta-gaye Beckford, proved too much for future Olympian Kerron Stewart and her St Jago team, having won the sprint double in Class One.
The Holmwood juggernaut led by Coach Maurice Wilson never relented and returned in 2004 amassing 269 points to Vere Technical’s 239.5. The emerging Edwin Allen was third with 186 points.
This was the year the outstanding Mclaughlin-whilby lost her first race and what a race it was against Simone Facey of Vere who in 2002 had won silver in the 100m at the World Juniors where Mclaughlin won silver in the 200m.
Both clashed over 200m in what was the race of the decade and Facey emerged the winner. Both girls would later represent Jamaica at the highest level.
The following year in 2005 would be the last for Mclaughlin as Holmwood won their third-straight title narrowly defeating Vere Technical by seven points, 263 to 256.5. St Jago was third with 191.5.
Mclaughlin-whilby left in style as she defeated one Shelly-ann Fraserpryce of Wolmer’s Girls in the Class One 100m. Fraser-pryce would go on to become arguably the greatest female sprinter the world has ever seen.
Mclaughlin-whilby copped the double easily winning the 200m, but she did not stop there and completed her four-gold haul in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. That was her 19th gold at Champs.
Her legacy cemented and the platform set for Holmwood to win another six titles as other stars emerged and in 2006, they once again defeated Vere 331 to 312.5.
Salcia Slack, Schillonie Calvertpowell, Anastasia Le-roy, Sonita Sutherland, Rosemarie Whyterobinson and Bobby-gaye Wilkins, Chrisann Gordon-powell, all ensured Holmwood remained on top.
It’s now 11 years since Holmwood Technical last tasted victory, but the signs are there that they are getting back to the pinnacle of schoolgirl athletics. It might not be this year but one thing for sure, they will make their presence felt.