Calabar set sights on Champs crown

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The green and black-clad boys of Red Hills Road, Calabar High School, will aim to improve on their second-place finish at last year's GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships, when the four-day meet gets on the way next Wednesday.

Calabar are expected to once again dominate the field events and they will be looking to use this as a platform in their quest for the utmost.

"We have been putting together a team which can, as best as possible, represent our ideals and our ideal is always based on our school motto 'Utmost for the highest'," head coach Michael Clarke stated.

"We really think that, based on our efforts, there are great possibilities looming," he added.

Clarke attributes the school's success in the throws to coach Julian Robinson and is once again looking for great things in that area.

"Mr Julian Robinson, our throws coach, has been dominating the throws for the past three to four years and he now possesses all the records in all the throws at Boys' Champs," Clarke shared.

"The dynasty of that part of our programme continues and it is our bread and butter area," he expounded.

The man, who has been at the helm of Calabar's track and field for the past nine years, is expecting improved performances on the track.

"We have improved significantly over last year," Clarke shared. "Last year we didn't score any points in any of the sprints in all classes. This year, God's willing, our presence will be noticeable."

Facing problems

Calabar have been faced with the typical problems that affect other teams, those of injuries, unplanned absence of students and juvenile-type nuances, but they have one less thing to worry about - gear.

"We have been outfitted by Puma," Clarke proudly declared. "Puma has been by our side, they have been doing a wonder job in ensuring that the equipment and gear issues are minimised."

Despite striving to be compe-titive in all classes, Clarke cites Class Three as his strongest and has identified some athletes from whom he expects noteworthy performances.

Clarke said: "In the throws most definitely Travis Smikle and Ashinia Miller should continue to dominate, as they have been doing all season. Our Class-Three boys, especially Michael O'Hara, should represent us well; and Malcolm Campbell in the long sprints. In Class Two, Jorell Belafonte should be a dominant figure in the middle distances and Kemar Williams in the shorter sprint hurdles. In Class One, Ronda Gunn and Neco Bailey should represent us fairly well in the long sprints and middle distances."