Digicel Grand Prix rides west
WESTERN BUREAU:
MEET DIRECTor of the County of Cornwall Athletics Association (COCAA)/Digicel Grand Prix Western Athletics Championships, Stephen Smith, promises a track and field spectacular at the Montego Bay Spor ts Complex in Catherine Hall today.
“Tomorrow will be a firecracker,” said Smith. “Based on what we saw in the prelims and semi-finals suggest that it will be an exciting day for the schools that are vying for the championships and the athletes,” said Smith.
Last year’s championships saw Rusea’s High School upset St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) to first place on the girls’ side and this year have taken command leading with 175 points going into this the final day followed by STETHS (138), Manning School (88) and Petersfield High School (82).
On the boys’ side, Petersfield who have finished in third for the past six years are so far having an outstanding championship after two days leading with 133 points ahead of Munro College (129) and STETHS (111) who are expected to pick up valuable points on the track today.
GOOD COMPETITION
When asked about the growth and development of track and field in the western region and if the organisers strive off the competition and rivalry in recent years at Western Championships, Smith told The
Gleaner that the competition is good.
“As we try to develop the track and field more in the western region, we acknowledge that the rivalry is good. In the sense it shows that more schools in the region are taking the sport more seriously so yes, we strive off it,” said Smith.
The Class Two boys 200 metres is expected to bring loads of excitement when two of the most talented athletes of the west, Sachin Dennis of STETHS and World Under 18 400m record holder Antonio Watson of Petersfield, clash. The two, however, could be left behind by young Raheim Scott of Rusea’s or Tyrone Barnes of STETHS who had a record fastest time of 21.39 going into the finals.