St Andrew looking for the treble and 17th overall

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

Two-time defending Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA)/Sagicor National Primary, All-Age and Junior High Schools Athletics Championship, St Andrew, will look to continue their dominance at the meet, which runs from May 12-13 at the National Stadium.

The championship is in its 28th year and St Andrew have claimed the crown on 16 occasions, to be the most successful parish. Sports coordinator for the parish, Stephon Brown, anticipates another good showing from his charges.

"If we gel well together, as we normally do, then I don't think we should have a problem," Brown pointed out. "If the unity in the camp is all right and the students come together and train properly and execute, then we shouldn't have a problem," he added.

no smooth sailing

Despite conceding that it is hard to assess the various parishes, as they only compete against each other annually, Brown anticipates the strongest challenge to be posed by last year's runners-up Portland and Kingston.

It has not been smooth sailing where preparation is concerned, however, as Brown and his team have yet to get all 90 athletes together.

"Preparations could have been better," Brown said. "We haven't got everybody out, to be honest, because it is 90 students from all over the parish.

"So far that has been our biggest problem, to get everybody out to sort out, especially the relay teams and things like that," he added.

He believes the reason for the full complement of athletes not reporting for training is due to the fact that the championship is not a school meet.

"The schools' names will not be mentioned, so it is really difficult to get them (the athletes) out," Brown said. "There is not the same support as when they are running for their schools," he added.

Brown, who has been the parish's sports coordinator since 1999, but for a two-year break (2005 and 2006), is hoping that everything can be worked out before the championship gets on the way.

"It (getting everyone out) has always been a problem and it has never really derailed us, so I hope it will not affect us on this occasion," Brown said. "We still have at least three more practice sessions to go, so we should be able to correct things by then," he added.

The team is set have two more training sessions at the Stadium East, next Tuesday and a date yet to be decided.

Odane Watt is expected to be St Andrew's top male athlete this year, while Brittany Matthews should be the top female performer. Watt, who attends John Mills, was the Class Two boys' champion at the All-Age and Junior High Schools Athletics Championships held last month. Watt won the 200m in a record time of 23.55 seconds and the 400m in 52.11 seconds.

Brittney Matthews, also of John Mills, came out as the Class One champion girl at the championship, having won the 100 metres in 12.60 seconds, and the 200m in a new record time of 25.42 seconds.