KINGSTON, Jamaica – Defending champions Calabar High have opened up a 23-point lead after 17 finals on the penultimate day of the GraceKennedy ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.

The Michael Clarke-led Calabar raced to 116 points andopened up their lead over Kingston College (KC), who are on 93 points, with Jamaica College (JC) third on 90 points. St Jago High are fourth on 69 points ahead of fifth-placed St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) on 47 points.

Following the completion of the 1500 metres, KC had surged from third into the lead on 66 points, two ahead of Calabar on 64 and JC back in third on 53 points.

But Calabar responded like true champions and collected a massive 35 points in the 100m, reclaiming the lead going into the final day.

The boys from Red Hills Road won two of the three 100 metres, finishing first and second in the Class One and Class Two events for 32 massive points while they picked up three points in Class Three for 35 points in total.

Chadrick Stewart (11.73) and Rosean Young (11.74) finished seventh and eighth in the Class Three 100 metres for three points behind the winner Taiwane Garrique of St Jago in 11.26 seconds. Javier Johnson of Green Island High was second with 11.53 ahead of KC’s Akeem Smith with 11.55 seconds.

In Class Two, hot favourite Tyreke Wilson, who said he was disappointed he wouldn’t be facing the injured Jhevaughn Matherson of KC, was beaten in second by his teammate Dejour Russell. The winner clocked 10.67 seconds with Wilson clocking 10.76 seconds. The headwind was -2-0 mps.

It was the same in Class One, as Michael O’Hara stopped the clock at 10.42 seconds in a negative headwind of -2.6 mps ahead of his teammate Edward Clarke who did 10.50 seconds. Third went to Raheem Robinson of Wolmer’s Boys in 10.61 seconds.

Meanwhile, Clayton Brown of JC broke the Triple Jump open with 16.04m, but was second overall behind teammate O’Brien Wasome who soared to 16.24m but was denied the record of a positive tailwind of 2-9 mps. That was 16 valuable points for the Dark Blues of Old Hope Road as they kept their title hopes alive. However, Calabar picked up seven points finishing fifth and sixth courtesy of Travis Riley and Javier Lowe, respectively. KC got two points through Errol Ennis.

The official result of the pole vault open was not ready but the pick for the top four spots was a battle between JC and KC. JC collected another 15 points, placing first and third, while KC got 12, finishing second and fourth. Calabar received five points after occupying sixth and seventh places.

Boys – Team Rankings – 17 Events Scored

1) Calabar High 116

2) Kingston College 93

3) Jamaica College 90

4) St. Jago High 69

5) St Elizabeth Technical High 47

6) Wolmer’s High School for Boys 26

7) Edwin Allen High 20

8) Holmwood Technical High 19

9) Cornwall College 16

10) Bellefield High 14

11) Herbert Morrison Technical 11

11) Munro College 11

11) Petersfield High 11

14) Buff Bay High 10

15) Spaldings High 9

16) Morant Bay High 8

16) Rusea’s High 8

18) Green Island High 7

19) Seaforth High 4

19) St Andrew Technical High 4

19) Glenmuir High 4

19) St Catherine High 4

23) Meadowbrook High 3

23) Mavis Bank High 3

23) Papine High 3

23) Ardenne High 3

23) Irwin High 3

28) Old Harbour High 2

28) Titchfield High 2

28) Foga Road High 2

31) Maggotty High 1

31) Balaclava High 1