Defending champions Kingston College (KC) and Edwin Allen High’s quests to retain their crowns are off to a good start at the 2023 Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

After four finals, KC lead the boys’ section with 37 points, two ahead of rivals Jamaica College on 35 points. Maggotty (18 points), Calabar (15 points) and St Elizabeth Technical (11 points) round out the top five.

In the girls’ section after four finals, Edwin Allen are ahead of the pack with 31 points, followed closely by Holmwood Technical (28 points), Alphansus Davis (22 points) and St Jago (22 points). Hydel High round out the top five with 16 points.

Monique Stewart of Edwin Allen and Kingston College’s Brian Kiprop were the winners of the Class 2 1500m. Stewart left it late to out dip Cindy Rose of Holmwood Technical at the line to win the event in 4:41:43. In the boys’ equivalent of the event, Kiprop went stride-for-stride with his teammate Nahashon Ruto, but Kiprop outclassed him for the top spot.

Meanwhile, Jamaica College picked up a big 16 points after Michael-Andre Edwards and Euan Young both jumped over seven metres to claim gold and silver in the Class 2 Boys’ long jump. Edwards, who was last year’s gold medallist in Class 3, continued his winning ways with a leap of 7.29m. He is also this year’s Corporate Area champion. His teammate Young won the silver, while BB Coke High’s Anthony Hall claimed the bronze.