BATTLE lines have been drawn in what is promising to be a vintage clash between storied rivals as the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships — an event like no other on the planet — gets going at National Stadium in St Andrew today.

Over the next five days Kingston College — defending boys’ champions and winners of four of the last five championships — will face a fiery test from old foes Calabar, with Jamaica College also expected to stretch their resolve as some of the region’s best talent put on a show on the newly laid track at the venue.

Among the girls, Edwin Allen, who have won nine of the last 11 championships, are expected to comfortably retain their title, with Holmwood Technical and Hydel set to come close to the Michael Dyke-coached team.

While the destination of the girls’ title seems to be a foregone conclusion, on the boys’ side the race for the Mortimer Geddes Trophy could take us deep into Saturday’s final day, with a resurgent Calabar primed and ready to play a leading role in the latest chapter of what has grown to become one of the fiercest rivalries in the history of the championships.

They will, however, find a deep and motivated KC cohort in their way as the North Street-based “Purples” look to maintain their hold on the Mortimer Geddes Trophy in the year they celebrate their 100th anniversary of existence.

Head Coach Leaford Grant, who recently announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the season, will be hoping to sign off on a high note. Last year KC dominated the championships, tallying an impressive 335 points and finishing ahead of JC (278) and Calabar (194). However, this year’s battle is expected to be much tighter, with both challengers determined to dethrone the reigning champions.

KC will be led by Daniel Clarke in the 110m hurdles, Marchino Rose in the 400m, and Tahj-Marques White in the 400m. Brian Kiprok will compete in the 1,500m and 2,000m steeplechase in Class One, where he is expected to deliver big points for the champions.

In Class Two, Omarian Miller will feature in the long jump, Amani Phillips in the long and triple jumps, and Jonathan Clarke in the 110m hurdles. Meanwhile, in Class Three, Emile Higgins will compete in the 200m and 400m.

Calabar, coached by Corey Bennett, last lifted the title in 2018 and have shown tremendous improvement at the development meets leading up to the championships. After finishing third last year they have their eyes set on reclaiming the top spot and will be looking to make a strong statement from the opening events.

They will be led by Shaquane Gordon in the Class One 100m and 110m hurdles, and Nickeroy Brommwell in the 400m. In Class Two, Alexandro Palmer will compete in the 800m and 1,500m while in Class Three Rajeve Allison will take on the 200m and 400m, with Ronaldinho Barnett competing in the 100m hurdles.

The superstitious among us will remember that the last time the track changed colours to JC’s blue in 2012, the Old Hope Road school duly obliged with a championships win. Calabar’s young lions will be hoping to follow suit on the National Stadium’s new green-coloured running surface.

JC, the 2021 champions, are equally determined to go one step further this year after finishing as runners-up to KC last season. Their athletes have been performing well in recent meets, and they, too, are expected to push their rivals all the way to the final events.

Daniel Beckford will lead JC’s hunt for points in the Class One 110m hurdles, Chavez Penn will compete in the high jump, while Michael Andre Edwards will feature prominently in the long and triple jumps. In Class Three Kia Kelly is expected to score big in the 100m and 200m.

While the championships race will see the usual suspects taking the spotlight, several athletes from other schools will also make a big mark.

Wolmer’s Boys’ — led by their star sprinter Gary Card who is the favourite for the Class One sprint double — have raised the expectations of a lot of fans while Excelsior, St Jago, St Elizabeth Technical, and Munro are all poised to leave their mark throughout the championships.

On the girls’ side, sprinter Sabrina Dockery (Lacovia) will dominate in her bid for the sprint double, with the likes of Marla-Kay Lampart (Clarendon College), Kelly-Ann Kerr (Edwin Allen), Abigail Campbell (Hydel), and Rihanna Sudlow (St Catherine) also expected to feature prominently.