Wolmer's are in better shape this year - Bailey

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Despite seemingly playing second fiddle to some of their Corporate Area rivals throughout the season so far, Ramone Bailey, captain of defending Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletic Championships kingpins, Wolmer's Boys School, has no doubt his team will once again spring to the top of the pile on April 2.

Wolmer's pipped Calabar 208.50 to 201.50 to claim their 12th lien on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy inside the National Stadium last year, but have been somewhat overshadowed on the circuit this season, leading to uncertainty surrounding their ability to retain the title.

However, Bailey, who is expected to lead the charge for the Heroes Circle-based school, was quick to point out that his team is actually in better shape heading into the Championship this time around, in comparison to last year.

"We are all satisfied with what we have done and our general preparation going into Champs," said Bailey, who will start as favourite in the triple-jump open and Class One long-jump events. "We have actually been better this year, but not a lot of persons realise this. However, we are seeing it."

He added: "People are not looking at how we are doing this year compared to last year, they are just looking at how we are doing in terms of our place finishes on the circuit. so everyone is expecting us to finish off the top."

Last year's performance

Bailey, who finished second in the long jump last year to his former teammate, Kamal Fuller, who is now at the University of Alabama, was keen to reiterate his team's level of readiness going into the meet.

"We are comfortable, we are doing very well this year and, as I said, we have been better than last year, so I am very confident that we can do it again."

The 19-year-old reported that the confidence level and general vibe within the camp remain high, despite the loss of a number of key athletes, such as Fuller and Dwayne Extol, as well as the much-documented injury to star sprinter Odean Skeen.

"I personally am very confident that we will successfully defend our title at Champs this year. The guys are all confident. we are positive that we can even do better than we did last year and, hopefully, we can surprise the crowd by capturing a few records as well," shared Bailey. "The vibe in the team is good. it's a very positive vibe and everyone is happy and pumped up and ready to do it again.

"With Skeen, we are very confident that he will go out there and give of his best. we are not looking at his injury too much as something bad, we are confident that, even with his injury, we still have the mindset to go out there and do what is necessary for victory," Bailey added.

He was also quick to point out that the team is in no way feeling the pressure of being defending champions and are determined to execute their plans at the meet.

"Being defending champions does not change anything, we will still go into Champs with the same strategy and game plan, and we are positive that it will work," Bailey sought to assure.