Spotlight on Gibson McCook Relays

The 46th staging of the Gibson McCook Relays is on at the National Stadium today with the Caribbean’s leading relay carnival back to its original format after a shortened meet last year which saw finals only and lasted just over four hours.

Today’s 50th anniversary meet, under the patronage of the world’s greatest ever sprinter Usain Bolt, will get under way at 9 a.m. and will see action over 12 hours in what is expected to be a thrilling affair, full of drama and excitement.

A big feature of today’s meet is the rich US$50,000 (approx. J$7.7m) 60 metres for men and women with the winners of each race set to pocket US$10,000 (approx. J$1.5m). All eight finalists in both events will collect a cash prize.

The women will take the track at 4:20 p.m. in preliminary round action and the field should include brilliant starter Briana Williams, Kemba Nelson, Remona Burchell, Jura Levy, Jonielle, Smith, Tia and Tina Clayton, Kerrica Hill and Amoi Brown. Five minutes later at 4:25 p.m., the men will go into action and the line-up will include 2011World 100m champion Yohan Blake, Ackeem Blake, Oblique Seville, local-based British runner Zharnell Hughes, sprint hurdler Rasheed Broadbell, Brendon Rodney, Emmanuel Archibald, Jevaun Newby, Nigel Ellis and Oshane Bailey. The women’s final is set for 6:37 p.m. and the men’s at 6:47 p.m.

A lot of focus will, usual, be on the high school relay action. Edwin Allen High, the inter-secondary girls’ champions, and defending boys’ champions Kingston College (KC) have had great success over the years at these relays but will be under tremendous pressure to maintain their winning ways. A rejuvenated Holmwood Technical High and Hydel High among the girls will give Edwin Allen a big test. Among the boys, KC can expect strong challenges from Jamaica College (JC), Calabar High and St Elizabeth Technical.

A year ago Edwin Allen’s Class One sprint quartet of Serena Cole, Brandy Hall, Tia and Tina Clayton stole the spotlight at the meet with a very special performance after recording a very fast 43.37 seconds, the fastest time ever by a high school female quartet. With only Cole back, it will take something extra special for the Frankfield-based team to retain their title. Hydel, who were second last year, look set to win their first Gibson McCook relay title in Class One. Alana Reid, Oneika McAnnuf, Shania Myers and Aaliah Baker gave a sneak preview of what is to come two weeks ago at the Camperdown Classics after winning easily in 44.59 and they look set to go all the way today.

Hydel will be competitive in the 4x100m relays in all classes. In Class Two they are season leaders with 46.61 and in Class Three, they should have a keen battle with the Tiana Marshall-led Wolmer’s Girls who are season leaders with 46.95. Hydel are just behind with 47.09. In Class Four Hydel, with their best on best of 49.11, are just behind Mount Alvernia whose best is 49.03.

It could be a good day for JC in the boys’ events. They are expected to have some keen battles with KC starting with the Class One 4x100m where both teams are very strong in the 100m and 200m. KC will have the likes of Bouwahjgie Nkrumie, the World Under-20 100m silver medallist and National junior record holder, Adrian Kerr, Emmanuel Rwotomiya and Nicholas Francis. JC’s sprint quartet will include Mark Anthony Miller, Christopher Scott, Jaiden Reid and Malique Smith Band. St Elizabeth with the likes of Jasuana Dennis, Shamer Blake, Rajuan Brooks and Javorne Dunkley cannot be ruled out. KC are season leaders after their 40.80 clocking in winning two weeks ago in Trinidad and Tobago.

Calabar are set to rule in the lower classes where Shaquane Gordon and Nickecoy Bramwell will spearhead their Class Two team where they have a season best of 42.88. In Class Three they lead with 44 .65.

Both the 4x400m and 4x800m open events will see a two-way battle between KC and JC. JC are leaders in the 4x400m with their three minutes 13. 22 seconds clocking at the S.W. Isaac-Henry meet. KC clocked 3:14.36 in Trinidad and Tobago and have has an excellent record in the event.

In the 4x800m, JC, with Kemarrio Bygrave and Tyrone Lawson, two members of the record-breaking team from last year, will be hoping to retain their title but KC, following their easy 7:49.92s clocking at the Milo Western Relays, can defeat the defending champions.