The Grace/PUMA Youngster Goldsmith National Classics will come of age today with the 21st staging of the event inside the National Stadium.

More than 1,900 athletes from over 70 schools will take part in what is primarily a hurdles and field events meet.

The event will begin at 8:00 am with the 400m hurdles for clubs and institutions men and conclude with the 100m.

This meet will also feature the steeplechase and pole vault which are rarely offered at development meets. The javelin will also feature for both males and females as the athletes get their preparation for Boys’ and Girls’ Championships into high gear.

The heavy hitters from both the boys’ and girls’ side are down to compete, including host school Kingston College, defending champions of “Champs”, Calabar High, Jamaica College, who have been impressive so far this season, Wolmer’s Boys’ and St Jago.

St Jago will also field a strong girls’ team along with defending champions Edwin Allen, Vere Technical, Holmwood Technical, Wolmer’s, Immaculate Conception and Excelsior High.

In addition to the 400m hurdles, there will be the sprint hurdles for all classes, male and female. This is the only event on the schedule that will have heats and finals. The heats will be run off in the morning and the eight fastest finishers will come head to head in the finals in each class, later in the afternoon.

New sponsors GraceKennedy Foods has come on board with a three-year deal and they will be providing isotonic fluids and water for the athletes through their brands Lucozade Sport and 876 Spring Water.

Jhevaughn Matherson, who was injured in the semi-finals of the 100m at Champs last year, will make his seasonal debut for Kingston College.

Jevaughn Minzie and Jason Rodgers of the Racers Track Club are down to compete in the senior men’s 100m, while Jo-Wayne Hibbert will contest the 400m hurdles Open.

Britnie Dixon will lead a very strong Vere middle-distance team, while her teammate Marie Forbes will spearhead their Class Two throws contingent. Fiona Richards has been in sparkling form in the discus for Edwin Allen and should feature here.

Phillip Limonios of Jamaica College will look to renew his rivalry with KC’s Wayne Pinnock in the Class One boys’ 110m hurdles, but Calabar’s Dejour Russell, who is the defending champion at this meet, may have something to say about the final outcome.

Camperdown’s Britany Anderson was in record-breaking form last weekend and on the evidence of what was seen should turn up with another outstanding performance.

Calabar will be looking to make another strong statement to their main rivals Kingston College and will find great pleasure in doing so at this particular meet. They were strongly represented last weekend when they stole the show and are likely to turn out in their numbers once more.

— Dwayne Richards