St Mary High ready to retain Eastern Champs title
Eight-time champions St Mary High School are in high spirits that they will retain their title at the two-day Eastern Athletics Championships at the National Stadium starting today.
Newly appointed Head Coach Jerron Barrett, who has been with the team for four years as assistant coach, says he is confident that the girls will once again retain their title of overall girls’ champion and is cautiously optimistic that the boys will perform this year at an exceptional level despite questioning their focus and discipline.
“For the past four years we have been falling short of the boy’s title, and we have kept the girls’ title for the past seven years but this year we are working towards what we call the treble win, the boys, girls and overall title,” Barrett said. “This year we have the numbers and quality for the boys, and it has been seen in the track meets — we have quality jumpers and exceptional sprinters.”
St Mary’s won the girls’ title last year with 444.5 points, with Titchfield High finishing as runners-up and Oberlin High third.
As the school celebrates its 60th anniversary and with a positive attitude and outlook, Barrett has credited the school family, which he says has supported the track team well.
“We have a vibrant past student association that makes its contributions in whatever way it can,” he said. “The hurdles being used now were contributed by them and they make other contributions to the team. The principal, board, and teachers all have rallied around us, which boosts our motivation.”
Barrett says the team now has the numbers and quality needed this season and has learnt from past mistakes.
Champion girl Kemisha Francis, an 11th grade student at the school, is confident that she will retain her title this year and looks forward to bettering her performance on the field. Francis, who does high jump, long jump and shot put, is confident that her performance will help her retain her title.
“I think my performance this year will be much better than last year,” she said. “I know once we are focused, we will be the champions again and we are looking to be placed better at Boys’ and Girls’ Champs. “
Rasheed Grant, who recently broke a record meet at the Isaac Henry invitational meet, is anticipating more in his pet events, the 400m and 800m races. He credits Barrett for his speed and says he listens and executes the instructions given.
