John Mills streak to 17th straight title

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Despite a sturdier challenge from Windward Road Primary and Junior High than in recent years, there was no stopping John Mills Primary and Junior High from gaining their 17th consecutive lien on the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) All-Age and Junior High Athletics Championships, and 19th overall, at the National Stadium yesterday.

The Retirement Crescent-based school, which holds the record for the most successive wins at a track and field meet in Jamaica, amassed 584 points over the three days of competition.

Windward Road were once again forced to play the role of bridesmaid, as they ended with 382 points. The top five was rounded off by Central Branch (246), Louise Bennett Coverley (129) and Cockburn Gardens (111).

John Mills' triumph was highlighted by their dominance in the Classes One and Two girls' and boy's sprints.

STANDOUT MATTHEWS

Their standout performer was 15-year-old Brittney Matthews, who took the Class One sprint double. She stopped the clock at 12.60 in winning the 100m, before posting a new meet record time of 25.42 to capture the 200m.

Martina Harris of Louise Bennett Coverley posted times of 13.25 and 26.74 to claim the silver medals in the 100m and 200m, respectively. The John Mills pair of Rene Medley, 13.30, and Selese Bailey, 27.38, captured bronze in the 100m and 200m, respectively.

The Class One boys' 100m was won by Leroy Gabbidon of John Mills in a time of 11.80, with Jesse Dewar, 11.95, of Windward Road, taking the silver ahead of Bonito Duncan, 11.97, also of John Mills.

However, Gabbidon's time of 23.75 was only good enough for silver in the 200m, with his teammate, Shacquille McKay, winning the event in 23.13 seconds. Bronze medal went to Dewar in 23.87.

John Mills' only blemish came in the Class Two boys 100m, which was won by Kedon Barnes of Windward Road in 12.38 seconds. New Day's Jordane Murray, 12.40, and Cockburn Gardens' Odane Brown, 12.66, were second and third, respectively.

The Class Two girls' equivalent went to Kimoya Tingle of John Mills, with a 13.19 clocking. Silver went to Windward Road's Deidre Lewis, 13.45, while Tamoy Williams, 13.48, of John Mills, claimed bronze.

John Mills signalled their intentions from the first final of the day, the Class One girls' long jump, which was won by Ayesha Champagnie with a record-breaking leap of 5.44m. Champagnie's effort total decimated the old mark of 5.28m set last year by Runique Gray.

The 15-year-old Champagnie, who returned later in the day to claim silver in the Class One girls' 400m in a time of 1:00.79, was pleased with her record-breaking feat.

"I feel really good because I trained really hard and my coach told me this morning that he wanted me to break the record," Champagnie disclosed.

John Mills ended the day as they started, establishing a new record. In the 4x400m boys' relay open, they carried around the baton in 3:34.72, to better the old mark of 3:36.90, set back in 2001.

John Mills coach, Ransford Spaulding, was exhilarated by their victory.

"I feel elated and I must give God thanks," Spaulding stated. "The kids really worked hard and they followed the instructions and it paid off, and I must also give credit to the coaching staff," he added.