John Mills set to continue dominance

Defending champions John Mills Junior High will seek to extend their astonishing record to 17 consecutive titles, when the 32nd INSPORTS All-Age and Junior High Athletics Championships begin today at the National Stadium.

The three-day event, which culminates on Friday, will have 25 schools competing with John Mills, the alma mater of 2008 Olympic 100m silver medallist, Kerron Stewart, going for an overall 19 crowns

Last year, the 18-time champions set the record for the longest winning streak in local track and field history by any institution, surpassing Vere Technical girls teams' amazing unbeaten run from 1979-1993.

John Mills achieved the feat by amassing a massive 583.5 points to finish well clear of Windward Road (317) and Calabar Junior High (165.5), which placed second and third, respectively.

Main rivals Windward Road Junior High are again expected to provide the main threat, while Mico Practising, New Day and Central Branch should also put in strong challenges.

A total of 55 events will be contested and action starts at 9 a.m. daily.

Five finals are down for contention today - the Class One girls high jump, Class Three boys long jump, Class Three girls long jump, girls shot put open and Class Two girls high jump final.

John Mills' head coach, Ransford Spaulding, expects his team to continue their dominance.

"We have a few weak areas and we have strength in others. We have also lost many of our top athletes from last year's winning combination, but we expect to increase our winning tally," Spaulding said.