Edwin Allen, Hydel set for big clash at Central Champs

The Central Athletics Champions will take the spotlight over the next two days after a number of brilliant performances at the Carifta Trials at the weekend.

The action starts today at 8:30 a.m. at the G.C. Foster College with the 3000m open final for girls.

A qualifier for next month’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, the meet should provide two days of exciting competition as defending champions Edwin Allen High and St Jago High are favourites to continue their strangleholds on the girls’ and boys’ titles, respectively. As many as 47 finals are down to take place on today’s opening day, 24 girls and 23 boys. There will be 16 girls’ finals on the track and eight in the field .On the boys’ side, there will be seven field finals and 16 on the track.

Edwin Allen’s girls, the champions for the past 10 years, will be strongly challenged by a dangerous Hydel High team, while St Jago, Holmwood Technical and a strong, emerging St Catherine High could all make it very competitive.

Head coach of Edwin Allen Michael Dyke told The Gleaner yesterday that this championships is not his main focus. “This is not our main focus, especially immediately following Carifta Trials. We are going there to participate nevertheless, but it is very challenging at this time,” Dyke said. One of the events which is expected to attract a lot of attention today is the Class One girls’ 100 metres. For the first time this season, we could witness the clash of Hydel High’s Brianna Lyston, winner of the 200m in 22.66 seconds at the Carifta Trials, and the Clayton twins, Carifta Trials 100m winner Tia and Tina. All three are listed for the preliminary round of the event. The final is also set for today.

On the boys’ side, St Jago should be easy winners. They have never lost this title, and with the school eyeing a top three finish at ‘Champs’ next month, they should be out in large numbers.