Outside of the top two — Edwin Allen and Holmwood Technical — the Monk street-based St Jago High has been the most consistent school to enter Girls champs over the last two decades. They won the last of their four straight titles in 1999 when the likes of Olympian Melaine Walker represented them.

However, fans will feel the talent pool has slowly got on par.

St Jago’s sprint teams are stacked with quality.

Natalliah Whyte, Kimone Shaw and Shaniel English is leading the way but greater depth will be key in determining how much progress is made. Former Vere Tech athlete Andrenette Knight is a clear front-runner in both sprint and 400 metres hurdles events and will be hoping to inspire her teammates. Knight is expected to contest the 400 metres hurdles on Friday evening, one of the first finals on the track.

Among the sprinters, Whyte is entering her first year as a Class One athlete and ranks third in the 200 metres and second in 100 metres and has Shanice Reid for company, who is good enough to make the finals for both events.

Kimone Shaw ranks number one in both sprints with 24. 30 in the half lap event and a superb 11.67 in the 100 meters from Carifta Trials. Shaniel English has been reigning supreme so far this season in Class 2 events and could complete a trilogy of St Jago gold medals in the 100 metres, while Crystal Morrison is also in with a chance in Class four.

Captain Peta-Gaye Williams is head and shoulders above the rest of her squad as well as her 100 metres hurdles Class one field. She has reiterated that St Jago has the best team on paper and while that may be short of reality, The St Jago High girl’s team is undoubtedly an underdog for the girls’ title.