Edwin Allen set for a canter
EDWIN ALLEN failed in their bid to make it three out of three at the recent Digicel Grand Prix Finals, but come March 26-30 inside the National Stadium, the Michael Dyke-coached team will not be beaten as they will make it six wins in a row and seven overall in successfully defending their title.
After finishing a close second at the Central Championships behind Edwin Allen, Hydel High stopped the Edwin Allen train in the Grand Prix Finals and will be hoping to win their first title at these championships.
However, along with former champions St Jago High and Holmwood Technical, Hydel High will have to wait a bit longer as the Edwin Allen train is ready to roll once again and will show who is boss among girls at the championships.
Despite being a bit weak in the 400m events right across the board, Edwin Allen are extremely strong in other areas, especially the sprints and the horizontal jumps. Additionally, they definitely have the deepest squad among all teams.
Their Class Two team, led by the outstanding Kevona Davis, will make the big difference in dominating the championships, as they are set to rack up over 100 points. They are actually expected to tally 108 points, which should at least double the tally of their three main rivals, with Holmwood projected to earn 54 points and Hydel and St Jago High, 50 each.
NEAREST CHALLENGERS
With twin sisters Tia and Tina Clayton set to give Edwin Allen big points in both the 100 and 200 metres, they should also come out on top of their rivals in Class Three, where they are tipped to garner 67 points. St Jago High, which should win 60 points, will be their nearest challengers.
Overall, Edwin Allen look set for a big victory margin as they should total 351 points. As it was last year, it should be another close battle for second between Holmwood and Hydel. The latter finished second in 2018, but this time around Holmwood’s girls are expected, to turn the tables and grab the runner-up spot with 262 points, marginally ahead of the St Catherine-based team, on 253.
Former champions St Jago will again finish fourth, with 235 points, while former champions Vere Technical, despite fielding a depleted team, will retain fifth place with 72 points.