ON YOUR MARKS!

Champs is here! Let the games begin!

Last year an incredible 30 records were set at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships at the national stadium and over the next four days half of this country’s population will be glued to their television sets, their radios, and their newspapers trying to soak up every last bit of information coming out of the national stadium. This is our version of March madness.

As far as looking at the forest goes, the consensus going in is that Calabar and Edwin Allen will win the boys’ and girls’ titles respectively and based on what I have seen the consensus seems to be right on the money. It won’t be easy though for the boys from Red Hills Road as Kingston College, St. Jago and Jamaica College will all be gunning to dethrone the defending champions and they have the tools to do it.

On the girls’ side, Edwin Allen could have been on their third straight successful title defense but fate it seems has conspired against them. However, this year it seems fate will fall short as the team from Frankfield looks way too strong to be toppled. In fact, it is they who will do the toppling as Holmwood seems certain to be knocked from their perch.

Looking at the trees, there will be a few events that will ramp the excitement up to levels rarely seen at these championships. For most Jamaicans the 100-metre sprint is where its at and this year things will be no different. Over the past couple of years, an overseas import dominated the short sprints. Many Jamaicans embraced Munro’s Delano Williams as one of their own and last year he came within a hair’s breadth of owning two of the island’s most sacred junior records – 10.21 by Yohan Blake and 20.25s by the legend Usain Bolt. This year Anguillan Zharnel Hughes (10.36) is that man. Hughes from Kingston College will be looking to hold at bay the challenges of Calabar’s Michael O’Hara (10.29), and Bog Walk’s Jevaughn Minzie (10.31). But it is a under-dog from St. Jago who could upset the apple cart. Jevaun Rattray we hear was on track to blow the lid off 10.20 seconds at Carifta trials but had a set back and did not compete.

However, word is that he could be ready in time to take the Class One title no matter what Hughes and company might bring. We await the outcome of this potential barn burner.

In Class 2 KC’s Akeem Bloomfield set the world alight early on in the season with some impressive times. However, as Champs neared St. Jago’s Raheem Chambers showed his hand with an not-before-seen burst of speed to embarrass Bloomfield and his super-talented teammate Javaughn Matherson. Can Chambers repeat at Champs? That story will also unfold this week.

Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Christopher Taylor who for all intents and purposes will be running against the clock in the Class 3 quarter-mile. His coach Michael Clarke describes him as being extremely talented, so much so that he has no idea of what this 14-year-old is capable of. Clarke believes we could be witnessing history when the youngster steps into the blocks this week.

The Class One 400m is setting up to be a whopper as well. Javon Francis, assuming he is healthy, could be the first schoolboy to break 45 seconds at Champs. That is where he says he wants to go. The question is therefore, is everyone else – Martin Manley, Lennox Williams, Devaughn Baker and company running for silver and bronze. Based on some murmurs as well, we should also be wondering of Manley will line up in the event. Bolt’s 11-year-old record of 45.35s looks under threat for sure.

There are many other match ups we look forward to at Champs this year and they include Jaheel Hyde’s campaign over the hurdles. In the sprints against JC’s Tyler Mason and in the 400mh against the pair of Williamses Okeen and Marvin from St. Elizabeth Technical.

On the girls’ side, can prodigy Kimone Shaw step up in Class 3 and dominate the sprints like she did last year, is just one of the many questions set to be answered this year.

Among the others that I am keen to see will be the match up of Yanique Thompson of Holmwood and Peta-Gaye Williams of St. Jago High. The two had an epic battle at Carifta trials a couple weeks ago, and based on what we saw, the 2013 World Youth Champion might not have things her own way. Thompson is a champion however. Last year she was challenged in Donetsk and in response she became the first ever and only female youth hurdler to break the 13-second barrier. She competes over higher hurdles this year and she has a mean rival in Williams  so we will see how she responds to these latest challenges.

Monique Spencer and Saqukine Cameron of Edwin Allen have piqued my interest all season long. They have looked awesome and they could end up taking the quinella in both 200 and 400 metres this year. The return of Christiana Williams also of Edwin Allen is also something I am eager to witness. Will her return to the final year of competition at Champs be a victorious one? It wont be easy as Janelle Smith of Wolmer’s and Thompson of Holmwood will have something to say about who wins and who does not.

Of course, the relays are going to be absolutely mind blowing. Calabar’s Class 1 sprint relay team upset their more fancied rivals Kingston College at the Gibson Relays in February so we know the purple and whites will be gunning for revenge. Can they do it however, is another matter, especially when you consider that St. Jago also has the potential to win it all.

It is a similar story in Class 2 where KC are odds-on favorite to win but can St. Jago play spoiler.

Holwmood will be gunning for Edwin Allen in the Class 1 sprints. Chanice Bonner and company wont want to bow out without a stern fight and remember the baton has to go all the way round.

The 400m relays are also on tap to explode what with Calabar, KC and St. Jago and perhaps STETHS all in for the fight. The next four days will be filled with drama and excitement and I, for one, cant wait. On your marks. Set. Go!