Edwin Allen to open season at Foga Road Over Distance meet

National high school female track and field champions Edwin Allen High will open their 2024-25 season tomorrow at the Foga Road High Over Distance meet. The meet will be held at the Clarendon-based school.

This will be the final meet for high school athletes before the Christmas break. Last weekend, there were two meets: the Tyler Mills Classics at GC Foster College and the Wesley Powell Benjamin Classics at Excelsior High School.

Head coach of Edwin Allen Michael Dyke highlighted the significance of the meet.

“The Edwin Allen girls will make their season debut at the Foga Road meet tomorrow, and it will serve as an assessment of our current competitive standing,” Dyke said.

Dyke emphasised that his athletes would not be under pressure to deliver.

“While the athletes will not be required to deliver exceptional performances, I expect them to demonstrate a competitive spirit and use the opportunity to gauge their performances,” he said.

Meet organiser and Principal of Foga Road High Orrette Wallace confirmed that preparations were complete.

“Everything is set for an exciting day of competition. With schools like Edwin Allen, Holmwood Technical, Manchester High, and Vere Technical set to compete, this will definitely be a good day for both the athletes and spectators,” Wallace stated.

The meet will feature four championship relays, with cash prizes for the winners. Events include the 4x600m open for males and females as well as the 4x300m open for both genders. The 4x600m for girls will kick off the meet at 9 a.m., and the boys’ 4x300m open will close the competition at 4:25 p.m.

A total of $320,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Winners of each event will receive $30,000, second place will earn $20,000, third place $15,000, fourth place $10,000, and fifth place $5,000.

Field event athletes will also have opportunities to compete. Classes One and Two males and females will compete in the shot put.