While a number of the top performers at the recently concluded ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships decided to skip the Carifta Trials and effectively the Carifta Games, the Jamaica College duo of Ryiem Robertson and J’Voughnn Blake are taking the Games seriously.

Both turned up at the Carifta Trials focused on qualifying to represent Jamaica and both did so in fine style.

Robertson turned the tables on Oblique Seville of Calabar High in the Under-20 100m final winning in a time of 10.38secs having played second fiddle in the final at Champs the week before when he could only muster 10.59secs for the silver medal then.

Seville, who finished in 10.49secs had been a lot faster in 10.36secs at Champs. Both sprinters will represent Jamaica in Cayman this weekend.

Robertson exuded confidence after his win. “It wasn’t difficult for me. I believe in my talent so I just came out here and executed the race to the best of my ability,” he explained.

The “True Blue” sprinter is delighted to don the national colours once again and aims to be at the top of the podium at the weekend.

“I am really looking forward to representing Jamaica at the Carifta Games and I am looking to win.”

Meanwhile, his schoolmate has set even loftier goals for his first sojourn in the green, gold and black of Jamaica.

Blake won the 800m-1,500m double at the trials and is bent on doing likewise at the Games.

“The aim was just to qualify for Carifta Games and fix up what I never did at Champs, so I am working on that.”

The JC middle distance star was expected to take the double at Champs but after winning the 1500m final was upset in the 800m final by Giovouni Henry of Kingston College. He explained what happened at the showpiece high school track and field event.

“Turns out I was having a little injury which I am now having fixed. It’s being maintained and I am good and ready to go again.”

To accomplish the goals he has set for himself at the Carifta Games, Blake will have to do better than he did at Champs and then some.

“I am looking forward to breaking both records and dipping under the Champs records. I am really hopeful about it, I really think I can do it and I am just going out there to try my best.”

The JC pair form part of an 80-member team set to represent Jamaica in Cayman this weekend.

—Dwayne Richards