The spectacle that is Champs 100 has come and gone, and what a event it was! Last Saturday night saw the close of the 2010 staging of the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships. In what was perhaps one of the most intense Championships ever, both sections, as predicted, went down to the last event.

When the dust cleared a sea of Maroon and Gold took over the stadium as defending girls champions

Holmwood Technical and boys Championships winners Wolmer’s Boys took home the trophy.

Having for the first time to stave off a legitimate challenge from perennial contenders Edwin Allen, the Maurice Wilson-coached contingent, showed steely resolve to come away victors. After trading poll positions several times over the four days, it came down to the 4×400 metres as Holmwood was leading by a paltry nine points. If Edwin Allen with the likes of Nikita Tracey, Ristananna Tracey and Amoy Blake in their relay squad could hold off a slightly less fancied Holmwood Technical led by Petra Fanty and Chris-Ann Gordon they would have a chance. It was not to be, however, for the Frankfieldbased school as the girls from Christiana proved too powerful and won the final event in a time of 3:37.52 seconds. Edwin Allen were only good enough for fourth as strong Vere Technical and Manchester teams copped the silver and bronze medals in the event.

Holmwood ended the night on 273.33 points with the Edwin Allen second on 258 points. Wolmer’s Girls again won the Corporate Area crown after placing sixth with 117 points and Herbert Morrison grabbed the western girl’s title after placing seventh with 80 points.

In 1910, the first Boy’s Champs was held. That year Wolmer’s Boys won the title. Between then and 1954 they did it 10 more times. In this the 100th year of the event, Wolmer’s again showed that they were a force to be reckoned with by claiming the title. It wasn’t easy though, as they had to hold off challenges from top contenders Kingston College and Calabar High. As we at TEENage predicted, the title

would come down to the team with the most heart. Even though Wolmer’s was expected to only place third a series of unfortunate events on the part of Calabar and Kingston College assisted the hands of fate in granting the Heroes Circlebased school the title.

Calabar lost huge points when Ricardo Powell and Earl Lee failed to qualify for their respective events and also when Deuce Carter, the favourite for the class one 110 metres hurdles, failed to finish his final which then went to Kamal Fuller of Wolmer’s. Kingston College also suffered huge losses when Kimarley Henry and Jerome Wilson went down to injury early in the Championships. Also joint favourites Stephan Fennel and Divonte Dennis in the class two 110 metres hurdles both failed to make the finals due to mishaps in their semis. The race went to Yanick Hart of Wolmer’s.

To say, however, that it was a comedy of errors that gave them the title would do an injustice to the maroon and gold-clad outfit. Led by an inspirational performance from Dwayne Extol, who competed in four events (including three individual ones), Wolmer’s did exactly what they had to do to win as they came out and performed on the day.

It still came down to 4×400 as before that both the champions and Calabar High were tied on the same points. Calabar High was no match for a Wolmer’s outfit with Extol, Julian Forte and Odean Skeene.

Without a doubt this Champs was one to remember and all involved will definitely hold it dear to their hearts.