Joseph Salmon of Jamaica College broke the Class One discus record twice, throwing 67.55m, which is also a National Junior Record, while Jason Pitter smashed the Class Two 400m record on a day of outstanding performances as Jamaica College took charge at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships and is now well on its way to top honours.

The boys from 189 Old Hope Road powered to a 51-point lead on the third day of competition, amassing 119 points on the back of workmanlike efficiency but the brave have not yet fallen and on the evidence of the competition, will not yield, despite only managing 68 points so far.

Fifteen-year-old Pitter embodied that spirit after destroying Christopher Taylor’s 2016 record of 46.33, clocking a jaw-dropping 45.76. To put Pitter’s performance in perspective, he was faster than the Class One winner Paul Henry of Foga Road High, who clocked 46.21.

Jaeden Campbell of Excelsior, who led Pitter on a merry chase, was second in 46.74 while Diwayne Sharpe of Calabar was third in 46.82.

Henry came late and upset the apple cart, relegating Junior Gallimore of Hydel High to second with 46.33. Makaelan Woods of JC went out fast and was overhauled within the last 10 metres, settling for third in 46.39.

Earlier, Salmon erased Travis Smikle’s 2011 record of 66.88m, but it came as no surprise as he threw 66.32m as far back as in January. He now stands eighth on the Under-20 all-time list in the world.

Salmon had a brilliant series of throws starting with 66.33m, 67.35m, 65.18m, a foul on his fourth throw, before coming back stronger with 67.55m and closing with 66.59m — all of which would have given him the gold.

He was miles ahead of second-placed Kamari Kennedy of Calabar, who threw a personal best 60.17m and later increased that to 60.84m. Munro’s Rajeem Streete was third with 59.13m.

Salmon, who will be foregoing his final year at Champs, having committed to the University of Nebreska, said he was not surprised, having started the season with 66.32m.

“It was always there, it was just for me to grab and reach it and here at Champs I reached it and pushed the record even further,” said Salmon.

Salmon and teammate Denzil Philips, who was fifth, picked up 13 massive points as KC picked up a solidary point courtesy of Nkosana Johnson, who was eighth with 54.11m.

Brandon Lawrence of Munro College threw an impressive personal best of 18.40m to win the Class Two shot put. Kidane Linton of Calabar was second with 15.58 and Jaafari Shaw of JC was third with 15.55m. His teammate overcame two false opening throws to end fourth with 15.25m.

JC are well on their way to winning their first title since 2021 and as the 400s brought down the curtains and it became clear that JC would enter the penultimate day in full control of their destiny.

Calabar currently sit in third with 65.5 point, St Jago High is in fourth on 41 and Wolmer’s Boys complete the top five on 30 points.

JC’s quarter-mile surge started with 16 points in Class Three courtesy of Jayen White, who won in 50.10 ahead of his teammate Tariq Creary, 50.69. Darrian Francis of Lacovia High was third with 50.73 and KC’s Tariq Gordon was fourth in 51.27.

KC struck first on day three, capturing 16 big points in the Class Three high jump. Jayden Bailey and Joel Patrickson were first and second, both clearing 1.78m. Donovan Brown of JC was third with 1.75m, the same as fourth-placed Dantuan Goode of St Catherine High. JC picked up four more valuable points as Jeshawn Thomas was fifth with 1.70m.

At the completion of the first final on Thursday, KC had reduced the gap from 23 to 17 points.

Earlier, 100m champion Riquelme Reid of Excelsior pulled up in the Class One 200m preliminary and failed to finish. The race was won by Tenny Daley of St Mary High in 21.24.

Defending champion Sanjay Seymore of William Knibb was the fastest qualifier, clocking 21.03. Hydel High’s Junior Gallimore, who was second last year while representing Calabar High was second quickest with 21.09.

In Class Two, KC’s Emmile Higgin of the Bahamas stopped the clock at 21.64 and will enter the semis with the quickest time. Kalel Archibald of Edwin Allen was next with 21.71, 100m champion Kai Kelly of JC jogged 22.43.

KC’s Pitter (22.43) and Calabar’s Diwayne Sharpe 22.53 both took it easy knowing they had the 400m final later in the night.

The Wolmer’s Boys stars Joshua McWilliams (22.82) and Ajani Lumley (22.89) were the fastest qualifiers in the Class Three 200m while KC’s Kemanic Edwards was third best with 22.91.

All three top schools are safely through to the final of the 4×100 relays. KC was quickest in Class Three, clocking 43.24 ahead of Wolmer’s in 43.63. Calabar was third best with 44.15, ahead of JC with 44.17.

JC threw down the gauntlet in Class Two, winning their heat in 41.07. Edwin Allen, 41.17, Wolmer’s 41.44 and KC 41.67 were the next best into the finals.

Edwin Allen looked superb in the Class One winning Heat Two in 40.12 with Jamaica College second best with 40.18. KC was the third-fastest in 40.52 ahead of Excelsior High, which clocked 40.76 without Riquelme Reid.

Munro College’s Brandon Lawrence wins the Class 2 Boys’ shot put with a 18.40m effort. (Photos: Garfield Robinson)

Jamaica College duo Jayden White (left), who won the Class 3 Boys’ 400m in 50.10 and Tariq Creary, who was second in 50.69, secured big points for the title-chasing school.