Already being billed as the biggest event of the year, the GraceKennedy Boys and Girls Championships will be held on March 24-27.

Already world-renowned for producing world class competition, the region’s largest high school event will be celebrating 100 years of competition in the boys’ section. Just like we did last year, TEENage will be bringing you a comprehensive look at Champs including, top teams, athletes, champs history, as well as, stories surrounding the phenomenon we have all come to love.

The girls’ section of the Championships is where we begin. Having only recently been combined with Boys’ Champs in the 90s, the girls, this year, might overshadow the boys, in the year of their centenary celebration.

Again, the top girls’ schools from central Jamaica seem most likely to walk away with the silverware. Six-time defending champions Holmwood Technical is still leading a talented group with Edwin Allen leading a tight foursome of supporting cast members, which also includes Vere Tech, Manchester High and a resurgent St Jago High.

Over the past few years, girls from our top corporate area institutions have begun to take the sport a bit more seriously. That increase in popularity, plus an influx of dedicated and quality coaches have given rise to a noteworthy challenge from these schools. Although none of them have the individual power to pry the trophy from central Jamaica’s vice-grip, the likes of St Andrew High, The Queen’s School, Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha), St Hugh’s High and more recently Wolmer’s High School for Girls will be making more than a splash in the big pond.

We have grown accustomed to splendid performances at Girls’ Champs. Last year was no different as a host of records were broken. Unfortunately, the likes of former national representatives Kaycea Jones (Edwin Allen), Latoya McDermott (St Andrew High) and Micara Vassell (St Hugh’s High) among others have left for greener pastures after completing their years of eligibility. Also leaving is Carrie Russell. The former World Junior bronze medallist, who represented St Thomas Tech and The Queens’s School while at Champs, is now rumoured to be working out with top coach Stephen Francis at the MVP Track Club at the University of Technology.

All is not lost, however, as a host of bright young talent awaits us this year. Not the least of which includes Edwin Allen duo Amoy Blake and Gayon Evans. The two former national representatives will look to make class one their own along with Jura Levy of Vere Tech and Antonique Campbell of Herbert Morrison.

An interesting battle will also lie in the lower classes as Shanice Porter (Manchester) and Janieve Russell (Holmwood) will square off in the jumps. Both athletes have record breaking potential so this will definitely be one to watch.

Possibly the most talked about person at Girls Champs this year will be Chris-Ann Gordon. The little dynamo from Holmwood Tech is defending double Class Three champion at 400 and 800 metres, this after moving up from class four where she was the double champion at 100 and 200 metres. The sky is definitely the limit for a girl with such versatility and dominance.

BOYS

The mainstay of this year’s champs spectacle if all goes to plan, however, should be the boys section. After 100 years, plenty has been said, and even more shown about the quality of track and field in this nation because of Boys Champs. Since its origins on the grass outfields of Sabina Park, Boys’ Champs has steadily produced a stream of world class politicians, doctors, administrators, teachers and athletes alike. Howard Aris current head of the JAAA is a testament to that so is National Hero Norman Manley. Lennox Miller Raymond Stewart, Daniel England and not to mention Usain Bolt have all been products of the rigorous Champs machinery.

As usual, the title seems again to be heading towards the corporate area. What is unusual, however, is that this year, at least at this early point, Champs doesn’t look to be a two horse race.

After battling to the finish in what was one of the closest and most keenly contested Champs in history, defending champions Kingston College and perennial rivals Calabar High have lost several key athletes.

Couple that with a resurgent and determined Jamaica College contingent and an eager to impress Wolmer’s outfit (who is it rumoured have been bolstered by the addition to their coaching squad of past student Stephen Francis), the race is wide open.

Former top challengers Camperdown High and St Jago High (who lost top sprinter Nickel Ahsmeade) don’t seem to have what it takes this year to pose any significant threat as they still look to rebuild after the loss of so many top stars.

On a brighter note, former champions Munro College are continuing their speedy climb back to the top of the track and field ladder. With a huge presence in the throws and impressive sprint talents in the likes of Adam Cummings and Rolando Reid, Munro will be looking to at least break into the top four. Factoring in the loss of Herbert Morrison’s Dexter Lee, it is clear that the men from St Elizabeth will be carrying the flag of Cornwall virtually single-handedly.

Last year saw a mass exodus of talent from the Boys’ section. 2007 and 08 champions Calabar High lost a whole host of point-grabbers, including hurdler Warren Wier, sprinter Oshane Bailey and their talisman Ramone McKenzie. Definding champions Kingston College have also lost heavily, with their talismanic captain and vice-captain Kieron Stewart and Andre Peart respectively. They have also lost heptathalon winner Hansle Parchment.

Ashmeade, Lee and Mckenzie have gone abroad to begin professional careers.

Keen battles will still be fought this year, however. One of those battles will take place in the high jump. Kingston College’s Jonathon Reid, Calabar’s Jovan Hardware and St Jago’s Machel Baker will renew their rivalry form last year throughout this season. With a possible spot on the world junior team at stake, it will definitely be a battle worth viewing.

Also a key person to watch this year will be Bridgeport High’s sprint sensation Jazeel Murphy. Already being compared to Usain Bolt, this young phenom’s amazing talent has drawn admirers from across the world (even though he is too young to compete on the world stage according to IAAF rules).

This year’s Championships are again poised to be one to remember. TEENage implores you to stick with us as we bring you excellent coverage including history, profiles, fun facts and commentary on Champs 100.