Invitationals serve one main goal — to see how the best-in-show stack up against each other.

At the recent JTA Sagicor Athletics Championships, one thing was sure, Sts Peter and Paul and other invited prep schools are now in battle mode as they look to dethrone the defending champions Hydel Prep for the JISA Prep Champs powered by GK General Insurance and GK Mutual Funds, set for June 13 -15.

Speaking exclusively with the Jamaica Observer, coaches from Sts Peter and Paul Prep spoke glowingly after running the invitational element of the meet, which annually showcases prep schools for friendly competition ahead of the annual GK Financial Group/JISA championships.

Of the six relays executed, Sts Peter and Paul Prep reigned supreme, with four gold medal finishes.

Hydel did not participate in the meet.

“We do have the kids to put on a serious challenge at Prep Champs coming up; however, it’s also up to the kids to come out and demonstrate what we have shown over the season,” said assistant coach of Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory Nimroy Turgott.

Turgott, Olympian and captain of the Jamaica bobsled team, also noted that training for the upcoming GK JISA Prep Champs, now in its 47th staging, is going well.

“We have really put in the work, the kids have done an amazing job so far and I am very proud of the stage we are at, at the moment and as I said, I think we have a good team that can give a good challenge at Prep Champs,” said Turgott.

Echoing his sentiment is head coach for Sts Peter and Paul, Jerome Kirby, who beamed with pride at his Class 3 boys’ win.

He shared, “The team is in very good form, running in under a minute for the season, our win here at 59.66 is great. We will be ready for the upcoming Prep Champs; ready to win.”

Not to be outdone was Mona Prep, who won the class 2 girls’ 4x100m in 59.75 secs.

In 2023 the team finished in second place at Prep Champs but Garth Phinn, team manager, believes that the team could have taken home the trophy and that it was a technicality which did not allow them to come out on top last year at the JISA Prep Championships.

“Last year, the 4x200m, both girls and boys, were disqualified because they cut over too soon. Had communication been given to them earlier, we could have won; we lost by about six points.”

At last year’s championships, Hydel rallied on the final day to score 179 points, while Mona ended on 170.5 points.

“This year, I think we have an outside chance because all season we’ve been competing with St Andrew, Our Ladies of the Angels and Sts Peter and Paul; while we’re competing, we weren’t at full strength. I don’t’ know if they are competing at full strength but I think we have an outside chance. If not Sts Peter and Paul or St Andrew, I’d think it’s a three-horse race, but we’re on the outside.”

Phinn while confident says, he is hoping for the best.

“We feel like we are going to be ready. Come the day, we hope they can produce that extra special thing to dig deep, because last year we got some points from athletes where you never expected it, so hopefully we can get that from the girls and hopefully that will inspire the boys to do well,” Phinn said.

In training, Phinn says they have done enough.

“This year I think we have done enough in terms of training and competing; it’s just to wait and see to see how best that gets us over the line and what position we will be in,” he added.

On Thursday, more than 1,500 athletes from 45 schools will compete at the 37-event meet.

Action starts at 9:00 am on the first two days and 10:00 am. on Saturday.