Coaches give mixed views on schedule change at Penns

Four local high-school coaches have given mixed views on the move by the Penn Relays organisers to return to their original schedule next year after a slight adjustment in 2023.

For the first time in the history of the meet, the most popular relay carnival in the world for high-school athletes, girls were able to showcase their talents on a Saturday after the organisers introduced a rotational change where the boys competed on Thursday and Friday and the girls on Friday and Saturday. It is expected that the girls will compete on Friday and Saturday in 2025.

Head coach of Jamaica College Neil Harrison, whose team will be defending their Championship of America Boys’ 4x100 metres title has no issue with the change.

“I still would prefer if all the heats were on Friday for both boys and girls and then finals on Saturday, but we already have gotten accustomed to the regular schedule, so that is not an issue for us,” said Harrison.

For Kingston College’s head coach, Leaford Grant, his team will be prepared to run on any day the organisers choose.

“The team adapted well this year. However, mentally, the boys prefer to compete on the Saturday, where there is a bigger crowd hence more vibes, as they say, to compete at their best,” said Grant. Kingston College will be defending the 4x400m title in 2024.

Next year could be a very successful one for many-time champions Holmwood Technical, and girls’ head coach, Dave Anderson, who was happy with the flexibility shown by the organisers.

“It was good that the Penn Relays organisers were able to make changes, and for once in the history of the relays, the girls were able to showcase their talents on a Saturday. It wasn’ t a problem for my girls adapting as like other years, they were competing over two consecutive days,” said Anderson.

St Jago High’s girls’ head coach, Keilando Goburn, said it does not matter which days his girls compete.

“It’s neither here nor there to me. Truth be told, I didnt have a problem with the initial format because we had been accustomed to it for many years,” he said.