Top schools for Ben Francis Invitational

Raymond Graham, Gleaner Writer

TOP High school athletes will extend their build-up to major upcoming meets when they journey to Vere Technical in Hayes, Clarendon, for the first staging of the Ben Francis Invitational track and field meet, which is scheduled to begin this morning on the school's campus, starting at 9:00.

The institution, which has the most wins among any teams in the GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary and former principal, Ben Francis, who had been at the helm during their many victories, will see the meet named after him.

Vere's new head coach and one of the organisers of the meet, Rhansomn Edwards, stated in a recent interview that all is set.

"We are happy to have a meet of this nature at home and we are excited that it is happening as the school is celebrating its 50th anniversary," said Edwards.

"We have over 40 high schools that have sent in their entries and we are looking forward to all events, especially the 4x400 metres for both males and females, as there will be a cash incentive for the winning teams," he added.

Besides the 4x400 metres relays, there will be six other track events - 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 800m, 2000m steeplechase for both boys and girls, along with the 4x100m relays.

Field events will be shot put, discus, long and high jumps.

Leading the participants are defending Champs winners Wolmer's (boys) and Holmwood Technical (girls), respectively.

Some of the other participating teams are St Jago High, Munro College, St Elizabeth Technical, St Andrew High and Kingston College.