A championship is never only about the favourites. It is also about the team that can cause the big upsets on the day; the team that will steal vital points; the team that will send shock waves through the hearts of supporters, the dark horses. The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championship is no different, with Munro College and Vere Technical bearing the title of dark horses for 2011.

In what is expected to be the most closely fought championship, Munro College should definitely have a say on who is declared boys’ champion on the final day.

While it is clear that the boys from South St Elizabeth lack the depth to challenge for the title, they possess enough strength to break into the top five and reshuffle the deck of Corporate Area supremacy.

The likes of Rajae Gayle should have a hard time against Calabar’s duo of Travis Smikle and Ashina Miller in the throws, however, teammate Myles Chingara should fare better against Ramone Bailey of Wolmer’s in the jumps.

Munro’s true strength though, lies on the tracks with the likes of Delano Williams, Adam Cummings and the re-emerging Kaniel Harrison. These boys will be up against the speedy Jazeel Murphy of Bridgeport, and the Wolmerian duo of Julian Forte and Youth Olympian Odean Skeen. With everyone focusing on the favourites, these boys possess just enough talent to sneak their way on the podium and break the hearts of many.

Girls to watch

While there is a quartet of schools fighting for the boys’ title, the girls’ section is more secluded with Edwin Allen and Holmwood Technical stealing the spotlight.

Former champions Vere Technical might be the all important factor in the final leg of the championships.

The girls from Clarendon finished a disappointed fifth by their standards last year and this time around, coach Rahnsomn Edwards thinks his school should be moving up the rungs and his competitor should beware of Vere.

Vere’s strong challenge should take shape through sprinters Deandre Whitehorn and Shericka Jackson, middle-distance runner Chantal Duncan and hurdler Olivia James.

Munro College and Vere Technical might be the toughest challenge outside the preliminary favourites but the likes of St Jago boys and girls should never be disregarded. With good representation in the throws and an ever respectable sprint team the Monk Street-based team are never far away.

If Munro College are to break into the top five, help from neighbours and rivals St Elizabeth Technical could come in hand as their ever improving neighbours have been coming on the radar of recent. If their impressive showing at the Gibson Relays is anything to judge by, a bulk of points could be going back to St Bess.