KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hydel High School girls are the surprise leaders on Day 3of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls athletic championships at the National Stadium after Day 3of the five-day championships.

After finishing Wednesday’s second day in second place on 26 points the Khori Bennett-led team picked up 31 points from the four finals contested Thursday to move to 57, nine more than title favourites Edwin Allen on 48.

Defending champions Holmwood Technical failed to add to the 19 points they scored on Wednesday.

St Jago High on 17 points and Manchester High on 14 rounded out the top five schools.

Bennett told OBSERVER ONLINE Thursday night that while he was surprised to be leading the points, the total was what he had expected after three days of competition.

He said the performances had given the team an overall boost, “We are pleased with where we are and we just hope this will give the girls a boost and they will step up the intensity Friday and Saturday,” he said.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Hydel however after Devia Brown failed to advance in the Class 2 discus throw.

Meanwhile Edwin Allen girls continue to qualify athletes to finals and are still favourites to win their second title in three years.

After a relatively calm first three days, Champs fever is expected to reach red hot temperatures on today’s fourth and penultimate day.

The semi-finals and final of the 100m, as well as the semi-finals of the 400m, the sprint hurdles and the finals of the 1500m are all on today.

Paul Reid