Close going at prep champs

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

It was very close at the top at the end of Day one of the 33rd staging of the Jamaica Independent Schools' Association (JISA) Inter-Prep Schools Track and Field Championship, which is being held over three days at the National Stadium.

Three finals were contested on the opening day of the Bigga-sponsored championship, with Quest Prep and Wolmer's Prep emerging as joint leaders with 20 points. They are closely followed by Ardenne (16.50) and Vaz (14). Hydel (eight), Mona (seven), Covenant (six), Our Lady of the Angels (five), Emmanuel (five), Trafalgar (four), St Hugh's (three) and Porter's Centre for Knowledge (2.50).

Ardenne Prep's John-Christoff Pringle successfully defended his boys' Class Two high jump crown in the day's first final. Pringle cleared 1.40m to win ahead of Mona Prep's Bradley Dawson (1.35m) while third went to Quest Prep's Shaquille Allen (1.30m).

The Class One boys high jump was more keenly contested and saw three competitors tying for second with 1.40m. Justin Phillips and Demario Cameron, both of Quest Prep, shared the silver medal with Dameon Creary of Wolmer's Prep. Vaz Prep's Luke Walters copped the gold with a best of 1.45m.

Working hard

Walters, who finished eighth in the high jump in 2008 and missed out on a place on his school's team last year, attributes the turnaround in his fortunes to hard work.

"I feel good because I have been working hard since last year October with my coach," said Walters. "I had to work harder than usual. When I am at home, instead of sitting down and acting lazy, I do abdominal exercises or jog," he added.

He expects Vaz to top the championship.

"We gained a lot of points when we won the jumps so Vaz will win."

The third final of the day was the girls' Class Two long jump which was won by Wolmer's Abihail Myrie with a leap of 4.22m. Hydel Prep's Miheala Moore was second with an identical jump but lost out based on countback, while Covenant's Ebony Campbell snatched third with her leap of 4.19m.