Dark Horses

By Ian Williams TEENage Observer writer UWI

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Over the past decade, Kingston College (KC) and Calabar High have been the only schools to stake a claim for the boys' title at ISSA GraceKennedy Boys' and Girls' Championships, but this year Wolmer's Boys' and Munro College, who have been lurking in the shadows could look to reshuffle the deck as they take aim at the coveted boys' title.

KC and Calabar start as perennial favourites with Jamaica College and St Jago High also looking to mount a strong challenge, but the school that will definitely cause some problems are the boys from Marescaux Road.

With impressive performances throughout the pre-season, the David Riley-coached boys are beaming with confidence heading into the championships. Quarter-milers Ashawni Mitchell and Dwayne Extol, Carifta double gold medallist Julian Forte - who is dangerous on the tracks and in the fields, and hurdler Kamal Fuller are just some of the key members on a strong Wolmerian team that possess over 10 Carifta representatives.

After finishing fourth with a relatively young team last year, Riley believes his team now possess enough experience and depth to challenge for this year's title. Wolmer's, however, are lacking the added impetus of crowd support as the stadium expected to be decked out in purple and white on one side and green and black on the other.

The boys from St Elizabeth have been climbing the ranks over the years and at the 100th anniversary of the boys championships they will look to capture the title that has been alluding them since 1948. Known for having strong relay teams and competitive sprinters over the years, Munro College's inclusion of hurdler Rosean Maxwell, thrower Rajae Gayle and triple-jumper Myles Chingara could be the depth they require to mount a strong title challenge.

While many will underestimate the strength of this Munro College team, if their pre-season performances are anything to go by then this championship should be remembered for the many upsets that could take place.

On the other hand, the girls competition is wide open and with Edwin Allen dethroning Holmwood Technical at the recently concluded Central Champs, there could be problems for the defending champions at the ISSA Boys' and Girls' Championships.

With Edwin Allen and Manchester High, both fielding strong teams, this could be the most evenly contested girl's championship in recent years. The teams that should steal vital points from the favourites and cause problems for the girls from central Jamaica are corporate area champions Wolmer's Girls and the Monk Street-based St Jago.

St Jago's challenge in the fields will be marshalled by Kellion Knibb and Shuali Prince while sprinters Natalli Whyte and Shenel Francis should lead the pack on the track. Wolmer's Girls have already conceded that they will not win the championships but are keen on causing many upsets while retaining top honours in the corporate area.

Hurdler Danielle Dowie, long jumper Adrienne Rose and high jumper Shanice Hall should be the athletes leading the wolmerian charge.

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Dark Horses