DEFENDING champions John Mills, with a combined score of 68 points from five finals, jumped into an early lead on the first day of the 31st INSPORTS Junior High Athletic Championships at the National Stadium yesterday.

The Ransford Spaulding-coached John Mills won four of the five finals completed, with arch-rivals Windward Road winning one.

Rene Medley of John Mills was the only record-breaker when she leaped 1.61 metres to smash the old mark by Nadelya Stephenson in 2000.

Second was Lisa Blackwood of Windward Road (1.55), and third Chantelle Downer, also of Windward Road (1.40)

The Girls Class 1 high jump was won by Shanice Marshall of Windward Road with 1.55m ahead of the John Mills duo of Christina Geddes (1.50) and Shanice Chambers (1.50). Geddes and Chambers failed to clear the winning height in three attempts.

Oraine Brown of John Mills captured the Boys Class 3 long jump with 5.24m from Rajeer Thomas of Calabar, 4.96, and Javaughn Lugg of Cockburn Gardens, 4.96.

John Mills finised one-two in the Girls Class 3 long jump with Tamoy Williams (4.51) ahead of Tanika Williams 4.47. Dana Roberts of Green Park from Clarendon was third.

Althea Russell of John Mills took the girls shot put Open with 9.38m. Abigayle Buckle of Lowe River, Trelawny, was second in 8.25and Melissa Haughton of Shortwood Practising third in 7.68.

There were a number of impressive runs in the 100 metres semi-finals which were run late yesterday afternoon. The 100 metres final for all class are scheduled for tomorrow at 11:55 am.

Meanwhile, today is expected to feature another ding-dong battle between John Mills and Windward Road, with fie finals set to be completed. They are the Boys Class 2 high jump, Boys Class 1 long jump, shot put Open for boys, Girls Class 3 high jump and Boys Class 2 long jump.

The heats of the 200 metres for all four classes; 400 metres semi-finals; 800m heats; 200m semi-finals and 4×400 metres relay Open for boys and girls are also scheduled for today.