G.C. Foster Classic provides fireworks ahead of Champs

THE SCHOOLS came out in their numbers at the G.C. Foster Classic yesterday as coaches took the time to make final assessments before the start of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

Holmwood Technical’s Icela Swaby started the day in dominant form when she won the Girls’ Open 2000m Steeplechase in eight minutes, 06.67 seconds. On her way to victory, Swaby opened a 37-second lead over second-place Jayda Jackson of Titchfield High, who ended in 8:43.08.

Early Champs favourite Rihanna Scott of Ferncourt High continued her impressive form this season, winning the Girls’ Class 4 200 Metres in 25.16 seconds ahead of Holmwood Technical’s Aliona Crawford, 25.73.

Jamaica College’s (JC) Oneil Lawrence was a close winner in the Boys’ Class 3 200, winning his heat in 23.11, just edging Wolmerian Deandre Myers, who clocked 23.18.

Excelsior High’s Damor Miller took the Boys’ Class 1 200 title in a close contest, crossing the line in 21.62, ahead of Junior Galimore of Calabar, 21.63, and Omarion Barrett of Steer Town in 21.66.

It was a two-horse race in the Girls’ Class 3 80-metre Hurdles between Holmwood Technical’s Nickayla Russell and St Jago’s Adora Campbell.

Russell got the win in 11.26 seconds while Campbell settled for second in 11.32.

It was another tight contest in the Girls’ Class 2 100m Hurdles.

Excelsior’s Amoi Kentish stopped the clock in 13.88 to win the event but was chased all the way by Regina Bailey of Holmwood Technical, second in 13.90. Following just behind was Akeelah Ellis of St Catherine High, 13.92.

Camperdown’s Mark Sullivan took the Boys’ Class 1 110-metre Hurdles in 13.60, finishing ahead of Kingston College’s Ra’john Gray, 13.87.

Camperdown head coach Okeile Stewart was pleased with the result and said that he used the G.C. Foster Classics as the final test before Champs.

“I’m definitely pleased. This is the last competition we have going into the championship, and I am, just like the other coaches, taking this opportunity just to see the little things that we’ll need to mop up going into Champs.”

The G.C. Foster Classic was the last ISSA-sanctioned track meet before the start of Champs.