Three in a row as St Andrew retain National Athletics Championships
THE parish of St Andrew made it three in a row at the JTA/Sagicor National Athletic Championships on Saturday at the National Stadium, retaining their title with 272.5 points as they made it 13 titles overall.
St Thomas finished in second place, 16.5 points behind on 256; third went to St Catherine on 194, fourth to St Elizabeth on 186, and rounding out the top five was Kingston with 165.5 points.
Outstanding sprinters Mario Ross of St Thomas in the Under-13 category and Jahleel Matthews of Westmoreland in the Under-15 category were the joint champion boys with 18 points each after victories in 100m and 200m, while Judah-Kay Pitt of St Ann in the Under-9 category was the champion girl with 19 points after victories in the 80m, 150m and picking up a point in the long jump.
The three champions have each won for themselves an annual scholarship worth $50,000 for five years, when they transition to high school.
In addition to winning the title, St Andrew were also announced as the winners of the $100,000 cash prize from Sagicor for having the most followers in the stands.
Mabracq Harris, coordinator for the past four years for St Andrew, said he expected a tight race to the title this year.
“Honestly, I expected this from primary school championship as I knew this would be a three-parish battle with St Thomas and St Catherine. But, with grit and determination we prevailed.
“I was confident coming into the relays but we had some injuries in the 100m and 200m, which made me a bit nervous. Kudos to my coaches for the hard work and this one is for my St Andrew parish president,” he said.
Kemar Bailey, chairman, JTA National Sports Committee, was happy for the return of the championships after two years away due to COVID-19.
“We at the JTA are elated and I am sure that our title sponsor Sagicor and associate sponsors, including Milo and the Jamaica Observer, are just as elated.
“The fact that the students are here after a two-year absence, it shows that we are committed to nation building. The addition of the electronic timing has been greatly accepted by the coaches and coordinators as it offers information at your fingertips and not by paper, which takes a lot of time.”
Sagicor has committed to remaining with the JTA for the championships again next year.
— Dwayne Richards
