THE 2011 edition of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships kicks off tomorrow and from all indications, this year will be one of the closest on record.

As part of our continuing Champs coverage, TEENage takes a look at how the top teams stack up and who it is that might take the respective trophies this year.

Boys

This year’s Boys’ section was crying for something that would top the spectacle of Champs 100. Well, from all accounts, that should be no problem as the top four teams seek to have a ding dong battle for the title.

Defending champions Wolmer’s Boys have been riding just under the radar all season and are looking just as ominous as they did last year. Even though they have lost major points in the form of former captain Dwayne Extol, they still have what it takes to be dangerous this week. Their major downfall will lie in the fitness of their top sprinters, Julian Forte and Odean Skeene. If they turn up fit and deliver as expected, Wolmer’s will be hardpressed to lose.

Calabar High, last year’s runner-up, have also seemed a shadow of former years. However, they possess an immense amount of talent in the throws and these prospective points could be the difference for them in this title race.

Once their throwers deliver, and they pick up strong enough points in the middle distances, they should also be in good stead to reclaim a trophy they have not won in two years.

Jamaica College is the surprise team that has been on everyone’s tongues of late. They went to the Gibson Relays three weeks ago and sent a message to the rest of the track and field community. It seems for them, that no title since 2000 is an unacceptable feat and, therefore, will be going all out for the trophy.

Interestingly enough, one of their top prospects, Rohan Walker, has been pulled from the squad by the school. It will be interesting to see what will happen to their chances with Walker out as he was expected to score very well in the boys’ class two sprints.

Kingston College is the last major challenger this year and they are another team who seem to be keeping their cards close to their chest. With possibly the most rounded team of all the challengers, it is important that the leaders of the team rally their charges and that niggling injuries are taken care of before the start of the championships. As long as they do that, they should be in the running as well.

Girls

The Girls’ section this year will be a straight two-way battle between Champions Holmwood Technical and runner’s up Edwin Allen.

Holmwood, who have been painting the trophy tracks maroon and gold for the past eight years, will be hard to beat again as they just know how to bring a team to Champs. They showed as much at the recently held Gibson Relays after grabbing three of the major events on offer.

This year, a lot of Coach Maurice Wilson’s hopes will rest on the likes of Chris-Ann Gordon. The phenomenal class two athlete is in fine form this season and will be looking to contribute major points in the 400 metres, 800 metres and the 4×400 metres events. If necessary, she can also run a credible leg on the 4×100 metres.

Edwin Allen, on the other hand, have been talking big since their poor showing at Gibson’s. Word coming from their camp is that their athletes have been on a programme geared towards Champs and that their Gibson performance has no bearing on what will happen this week.

We wait with keen anticipation to see what will indeed happen. Ristananna Tracey should take up from where her sister left off last year and become a major rallying point for her teammates. She should feature well in the Class one 800 and the 400 hurdles.