There was controversy at the end of the 2014 Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA)/Serge Island National Prep Schools Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday as there was no clear winner due to a number of later disqualifications that impacted the final points standings

What was a very exciting and thrilling championships turned ugly as angry coaches and supporters of Vaz Prep protested at the end of the 4×200 metres open for boys as this was the event to determine the title in a neck-and-neck race between defending champions Hydel Prep and many-time champions Vaz Prep.

So close was the championship race between the two that Vaz had a one-point lead over Hydel 199.50 points to 198.50 points.

It came down to a nail-biting duel finish in the last event where Hydel needed to win and Vaz finish below fifth position in the race, but Vaz turned in a sparkling run, finishing fourth behind  winners Hydel in the 4×200-metre relay open for girls.

Even before the race was completed, athletes from Vaz rushed on the track to celebrate their triumph without the fourth athlete had crossed the finishing line. There was no disqualification done by the jury of appeal.

When the final score was added, Vaz had 209.50 points and champions Hydel accumulated 207.50 points. Then, without any knowledge of the media, and the schools participating, there were protests being lodged by several schools on the 4×200 metres relay open for girls.

Suddenly, Vaz who had finished fourth, were disqualified, along with Wolmer’s and Knox Junior School. And it is with this piece of news that the confusion started.

The girls 4×200-metre relay open results did not come or were announced until the completion of the boys 4×200 metres relay open as no one knew that there was a protest being lodged.

The jury of appeal and the organising committee decided not to announce the final points standing. Protests were made by Hydel and Vaz, and this took nearly two hours.

The Jamaica Observer decided to find out more as to the true points standings and which school had actually won the championship. Bruce James, who is a member of the jury of appeals, took the complete results of Saturday’s finals and said an official announcement will be made today.

James said the final results and points will stand until the appeals panel meets today.

According to James, Hydel are the champions with 207.50 points with Vaz in second position with 202.50 points, Lannaman’s third with 139 points, and fourth place going to Quest with 109 points.

It is not known whether the coaching staff of Vaz will be appealing the results. They are in bitter mood in their disqualification in the 4×200-metre relay open for girls, which was the penultimate event of the championships.

 Meanwhile, the girls section was won by Hydel with 144.50 points ahead of Vaz  (85) and Wolmer’s (61 points), while Vaz came out on top in the boys category with 117 points, followed by Lannaman’s 77 and Emmanuel Christian with 71.50 points.