Camperdown Classics set for February 12

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

CHAIRMAN of the organising committee of the Camperdown Classics, Cynthia Cooke, is expecting a great day of competition at the February 12 Camperdown Classics.

The meet which is scheduled to take place at the University of the West Indies' Usain Bolt Stadium in Mona had its official launch on Thursday at the Spanish Court Hotel in New Kingston.

"We expect a quality meet," said Cooke who also informed her audience that national cricketer Wavell Hinds, a past student who did well for the school and who has contributed significantly since graduating, will be honoured at the meet.

In an effort to complete the meet on time, Cooke said schools will be limited to three athletes per event.

"Hopefully for each track event there will be no more than 10 heats," the former Camperdown High principal said.

It is expected that several members of the Glen Mills-coached Racers Track Club will compete at the meet but Cooke declined to give the names of those athletes who will be competing. World 100 and 200 metres record holder Usain Bolt and national 400 metres record holder Jermaine Gonzales are members the Racers Track Club.

"This is a meet which Racers Club members have supported over the years and it will be no different this time but I do not want to give the names of those who will be competing because there are legal issues here and I have seen up to recently where athletes have been mentioned in the media to compete at meets and do not show ..." said Cooke.

Top high schools compete

The event, which will have its seventh staging, will once again see top high school teams competing for cash prizes in the Class One 4x100 metres to help offset their cost to the prestigious Penn Relays in Philadelphia, USA, in April. The top three male and female teams will share $100,000 with the winners getting $60,000, second $25,000 and third $15,000.

For this year's staging the meet has been bolstered by major sponsorship from GraceKennedy and Western Union with the other sponsors over the years, including sportswear manufacturers, Adidas, still on board.

In addition to the Championship 4x100m, the other track events to be contested include the 100m, 800m, 4x400 metres and 400m for clubs and institutions only. Field events include the long, high and triple jumps.