The 35th staging of the JTA/Sagicor National Primary Schools Athletics Championship’s set to take place at National Stadium on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26.

Over 1000 junior athletes will place their heart and soul on the track to compete for their respective parishes and bring home the ultimate title of Parish Champions. Individuals will also compete for the coveted title of Champion Boy and Champion Girl.

St Catherine

The defending parish champion, St Catherine are looking to hold on to their winner’s title come May 26, the culminating day of the JTA/Sagicor National Primary Schools Athletics Championships.

Kenrick Bennett, St Catherine parish coordinator and coach, who led the team to their championship last year, said the team is looking forward to another win this year. “We are looking forward to win, as all teams do. We have a very competitive team and if we are able to put it all together and everything goes according to plan, we will be the winners,” he said.

He noted that though the team hasn’t had the opportunity to train as often as he’d like, he is confident in his 90-member strong team’s abilities.

Bennett anticipates that St Andrew and Portland will present a strong competitions but maintains that the three-time parish champions will come out victorious.

Pointing out that the team always dominates in the Under-13 sprint races, Bennett said he expects no less from his athletes this year.

“I know the competition will be strong this year but we are preparing ourselves as best as possible,” he said.

Clarendon

The Clarendon team says they have their eyes set on taking home the Parish Championship title at this year’s JTA/Sagicor National Primary Schools Athletics Championships. The central Jamaica parish says they are ready to compete and give their all over the two-day event.

According to Parish Coordinator Damien Henry, though the team has never won the title, they are putting in the work and effort to claim victory this year.

The 87-member team says preparations are in high gear in the Clarendon camp, with a training regimen that is executed every Friday.

“Training starts at 9:00 am and we go until 4:00 pm. We train at two-hour intervals, break, and then resume until afternoon,” Henry explained.

With the likes of nine-year-old Anela Cooke, and 13-year-old Deandra Harris, the team promises to put up a fight and place higher than fifth position — the highest they have ever attained.

Henry noted that he expects great things from the team this year, especially from Harris who will be competing in the 400m and 200m races.

St Ann

The stakes are high and the St Ann team of over 80 athletes is coming to claim the title of Parish Champions at this year’s JTA/Sagicor National Primary Schools Athletics Championships.

Jermaine Gordon, parish coordinator, believes the team is poised for victory, though the parish is yet to take home the grand title.

“We are looking to get the top prize this year and be crowned champions,” said a confident Gordon.

With the likes of Abigail Campbell, Akela Bailey, Joshua Taylor and Marcedo Rose in Class Three, the team is very greatly optimistic for this year’s meet.

“We have a number of top performers this year,” Gordon said, noting that he believes he has a strong team in the 100m and 200m.

In 2016 St Ann placed third, amassing 230 points.