EDWIN Allen High are on a mission to regain their title, a title they held for eight consecutive years before they were interrupted by Hydel High last year.

Founded in 1964, the school was named after the first minister of education of Independent Jamaica, Edwin Leopold Allen who died in 1984 at the age of 79. He was a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) minister, serving twice as education minister from 1953-1955 and again from 1962-1972.

The Clarendon-based Edwin Allen High started making their presence felt at the Girls’ Athletics Championships in the year 2000 when they finished fifth with 99 points behind champions Vere Technical on 367. Lisa Sharpe left her mark, finishing second in the Class Two 100m.

The school continued to progress and was fourth in 2001 on the back of some outstanding displays from Nicola Maye in the middle-distance races who won the Class Two 1500 and ended third in the 800m.

Edwin Allen would get their best placing yet at Champs in 2004, finishing third with 186 points behind champions Holmwood Technical. Kayan Thompson was outstanding in defending her Class One 800/1500m titles.

Gayon Evans, Shauna Anderson, and Annmarie Duffus saw Edwin Allen become a top-five team consistently and in 2009 they made a huge step, placing second despite finishing 200 points behind winners Holmwood Technical. It was Edwin Allen’s highest finish and they were motivated.

With the likes of Carla Thompson and sisters Ristananna and Nikita Tracey, Edwin Allen were now a real force to be reckoned with and in 2011 they came within four points of victory, finishing second with 310 to Holmwood’s 314. Oh so close!

After enduring years of frustration Edwin Allen finally broke their ducks in 2012 — and it was no surprise when they finally created their piece of history.

Edwin Allen amassed a massive 365 points and were well clear of Holmwood Technical in second with 234. Head Coach Michael Dyke was now a folk legend, and senior athletes like team captain Sasha Gaye Marston, Danniel Thomas, Shawnette Lewin and Desreen Montaque all left with their heads held high.

Just like their motto, “Transeamus in Exemplum” (We shall be an example), Edwin Allen did just that for the next several years in a dominant streak between 2014 and 2022.

Before this, in 2013 Edwin Allen were relegated to second by Holmwood, losing by five points (310.5 to 305.5), but they regrouped and went on an eight-year winning streak.

In 2014 Edwin Allen were back on top, amassing 337.5 points, with Marleena Eubanks emerging the Class One champion. The moment Rochelle Frazer and Tasha Crosse grabbed second and third in the first final, the Class One discus, the writing was on the wall. That was followed by 16 massive points in the Class Two discus, courtesy of Paul-Ann Gayle and Janell Fullerton. Other outstanding performers were Shellece Clark in the Class Three sprints and Christania Williams in Class One.

In the ensuing years Edwin dominated in no uncertain manner, with the likes of Monifa Green, Ackelia Smith, Asshanni Robb, Annia Ashley, Cemore Donalds, Patrice Moody, Kevona Davis, the Clayton twins Tia and Tina, Brandy Hall, Serena Cole, Rickeisha Simms, Thieanna-Lee Terrelonge all stamping their class.

After losing to Hydel last year, Edwin Allen are heavily fancied to regain the title as they hunt win number 10.