Buoyed by a number of outstanding performances from his team during the development meets season, Bertland Cameron, head coach of St Jago’s boys’ team, is anticipating a remarkable showing from his young charges at this month’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

Cameron expressed confidence in his highly talented boys from Monk Street in Spanish Town, particularly in Class Three, where the exceptional sprinter Marquies Paige, with a time of 10.89 in the 100m, stands out. Paige is considered the overwhelming favourite for both the 100m and 100m hurdles events in this month’s championships, set to be held at the National Stadium from March 19-23. Additionally, Rushane Richards in the 400m and Andre Boyd in the 100m and 200m are other outstanding Class Three athletes that St Jago is counting on for a strong performance at Champs.

“We are very strong with our young boys in Class Three, and Class Two is not that good, and Class One is just average,” said Cameron. “However, I am really hoping for good competition, and hopefully, things can turn our way so that we can come out of this championship feeling very good about ourselves,” he added. “Our boys have been living up to our expectations and even exceeding them, and I believe they are going to achieve great things at this championship for us,” Cameron emphasised.

St Jago finished fourth in last year’s Boys’ Championships with 118.50 points, trailing behind the winners Kingston College, who amassed 366 points in the five-day event. Cameron, whose team won the Boys’ Championships in 1987 and 1993, aims to ensure his team finishes in the top four this year.

“I don’t count points because I have other people on the team that do that, but I expect us to get more points than last year. A top-four finish is what we are most definitely aiming for this year, and I know it is very possible with the team we have here at St Jago,” he stated. The team warmed up for this month’s championships by outperforming their rivals, winning the boys’ Class One 4x100m relays at the Gibson-McCook Relays last Saturday.

The veteran coach emphasised that he is very confident his team can replicate that success at the Boys Championships. “I want to do the same thing with this team like we did at Gibson-McCook, which is to be low-key and try to get them to be as good as they can be, and then at Champs, I want them to be at their best. I know they will do well because I have been watching, and I am hoping for the best from them as they are fit,” Cameron stated.