This could be the best track season ever
Track and field fans in western Jamaica are eagerly anticipating what could be the best season in a long time.
Two events have been staged in Western Jamaica since the start of the season, the Mannings Classic in Sav-la-Mar on January 19th and the 21st STETHS Invitational in Santa Cruz last weekend.
The interest level will reach boiling point next weekend with the 30th consecutive staging of the Milo Western Relays at Catherine Hall to be followed by the Milo Western High Schools Championships over three days, February 12th, 14th and 19th.
While the Western Relays have no equal this side of the island for the overall quality on the track and meet management, Western Champs this year, particularly on the boys’ side, will attract lots of interest.
For the first time ever, a reigning IAAF sprint gold medallist will feature on the line up when Herbert Morrison’s Dexter Lee contests the Class 1 sprint double against the likes of Mannings’ Darrion Bent and William Knibb’s Jason Young, all finalists in Class 2 at Boys’ Champs last year.
Munro College’s Rolando ‘Midnight Express’ Reid and Adam ‘Reds’ Cummings appear to be the class of the Class 2 and Class 3 sprinters respectively but can’t get too comfortable.
The girls will not lack for quality with IAAF World Youth relay medallist, Shavine Hodges, of Mt Alvernia and Herbert Morrison’s Antonique Campbell set for several clashes.
Campbell got the better of Hodges last season but ill health prevented her participation at Trials for the World Youth team but word out is that she will be gunning to make up for that by qualifying for the World Juniors team this season.
It won’t be just about the well-known teams and athletes however, as athletes from schools not known for track and field appear poised to rise to the occasion.
Several athletes from Petersfield High and Frome Technical, known more for football prowess, made it to the top three in their events at the STETHS meet last weekend that was attended by nearly 50 schools from all across the island.
One of the bits of good news is that Mannings is back in Western Champs al be it with only a boys team after missing last season’s renewal.
The entry of new schools such as Hopewell High, Holland High, Spot Valley High and Albion Junior High along with the re-entry of Hampton High, Muschett, Cedric Titus can’t help but help advance the sport in the region.