HOLMWOOD Technical’s Head Coach Dave Anderson, believes his team has an outside shot at winning the Girls’ Championships at this year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships. The championships will be held at the National Stadium this Tuesday to Saturday.

Holmwood, 10-time champions, finished fourth in last year’s edition of the prestigious high school meet but is quietly confident of mounting a serious challenge for the top spot this year.

Anderson said the team has taken a different approach this season, opting for a low-profile build-up.

“I would have said less this season because we decided to keep a low profile, re-strategise, and come back differently. So far, that has worked,” he explained. Last year’s championship was won by Edwin Allen.

This approach has yielded positive results, with noticeable improvements across the squad. Holmwood has already demonstrated their progress with impressive performances, including at the Central Championships where they finished second behind winners Edwin Allen.

“The team has shown much improvement compared to last year — and you can see it in our results this season,” Anderson said.

Despite their steady progress the Christiana-based school has yet to analyse their overall points standing or project where they could finish. Instead, their focus remains on preparation and execution.

“At this point we have not even sat down to look at points and the overall scheme of things. What we have done is prepare our athletes properly, encouraging them to put their best foot forward from Tuesday to Saturday,” Anderson said.

Although he remains cautious about making bold predictions, Anderson is confident Holmwood will be competitive in most events.

“I won’t put a number on it at this stage but what I can say is that we should be competitive in most events, if not all. It is a championship, and sometimes things turn out in your favour. You just have to prepare so that if things go our way, we are ready to grab the opportunity,” he said.

Holmwood’s campaign will be spearheaded by Team Captain Kiara Meikle along with standout athletes such as the talented trio of Rose sisters, Jovi, Cindy, and Kerita, as well as Florence Nafamba, Abrina Wright, and Tracey Evans. These athletes will be pivotal in Holmwood’s bid to reclaim the title they last won in 2013.

Holmwood once dominated the Girls’ Championships, securing nine consecutive titles from 2003 to 2011. This year, while they acknowledge the challenge ahead, Anderson and his team are determined to seize any opportunity that presents itself.

“We are looking forward to winning the championship once it is possible,” he said.

— Robert Bailey