The much-anticipated 2017 high school track and field season kicks off today with two meets — the Pure Water/Jamaica College Invitational and the First Chance Meet at Herbert Morrison High School in St James.

The famous JC Meet, in its 24th year, is now known as the Pure Water/Jamaica College/R Danny Williams Development Meet. Dubbed the “Meet with a difference”, it is to start 8:30 am on the school’s ground.

Ian Forbes, chairman of the organising committee, explained the reason for the name change.

“The name of Dr The Honourable R Danny Williams has been added to the meet in recognition of his pivotal role in the transformation of JC as former Board and Foundation Chairman,” said Forbes.

Ruel James, a Jamaica College old boy, will be this year’s honoree for his tireless effort as a standout athlete and later as an outstanding horizontal and vertical jumps coach at Jamaica College.

“We salute him for his contribution to the development of track and field in Jamaica and at Jamaica College,” Forbes added.

A maximum of four competitors per class per team will be allowed and the teams are requested to wear their regular school colours.

The main events will be the 100M, 800M, 3000M(F) and 5000M(M). There will be 70M, 80M, 100M and 110M hurdles on the track. While the field events that will be held this year are long jump, discus, high jump, shot put and pole vault.

Ten most outstanding performers in each class selected by judges will be awarded individual trophies.

At the other end of the island, Herbert Morrison Technical High School will host the County of Cornwall Athletics Association’s (COCAA) First Chance Meet, set to start at 8:00 am.

Athletes from the western region are expected to take part in the meeting that will offer competition in all four classes for both boys and girls, in selected track and field events.

In addition to the events for high school athletes, there will also be open events in both the 100 metres and 400 metres for men and women, as well as 4x400m relays for both sexes as well as the shot put for women.

Among the events that will be contested are 100m, 400m, 800m and 4x400m on the track, as well and high jump, long jump and shot put in the field events.

— Howard Walker