FROM THE PUBLISHER
2o6fIxR 2o6fIxR
Kevin Nedrick Jhevaughn Matherson Christopher Taylor 800M CLASS I Record: Sherwin Burgess (Vere) – 1:48.84 (1987) A GALAXY OF HALF MILERS ON SHOW 1. A. Colley (Rus.) ________________________ 2. T. Reid (SpotV.) ________________________ 3. L. Clarke (St.J.) ________________________ 4. J. James (StETHS) ________________________ 5. R. Butler (StETHS) ________________________ 6. J. Williams (C.H.S.) ________________________ 7. J. Pierre (St.J.) ________________________ 8. A. Jackson (Christ.) ________________________ FINALISTS Last year’s bizarre result is being counted as an aberration because it has been decades since spectators have witnessed such a pedestrian winning time. The race played out to be a tactical one and eventual came down to a veritable foot race. In the end, Excelsior’s Nathan Brown stole a march on a super talented field to snatch the gold medal. It is déjà vu going into Champs when one considers the calibre contenders on show again, all aiming to dip below the 1:50.00-seconds barrier. Out of relative obscurity came Tyrese Reid, who has conquered all before him except one. Akeem Colley has been equally imperious in competitions this season although he played second fiddle to Reid at Western Champs. Both Reid and Colley had contrasting victories at the Carifta Trials. Reid won the U18 category in 1:51.11s while Colley captured the U20 version in 1:52.11s. Colley defeated Reid in their most recent head-to-head clash at the Digicel Grand Prix Finals. The old guards have returned, gunning for a position atop the podium. Will Colley lead a merry clip? Or will there be a repeat of 2016, where the tactical wait-and-see strategy eventually led the tightly-bunched runners to a homestretch sprint to the finish line? SEASON’S BESTS: Reid (SpotV.) – 1:51.11, Colley (Rusea’s) – 1:52.11, Jackson (Christ.) – 1:52.31, Clarke (St.J.) – 1:52.46, Rowe (K.C.) – 1:52.56, Butler (StETHS) – 1:52.86, Jean-Pierre (St.J.) – 1:53.17, Blackman (J.C.) – 1:53.34. SHOT PUT CLASS I Record: Demar Gayle (Ed.A.) – 19.52m (2015) CHAMPS’ FIRST 20-METER DISTANCE LOOMS 1. K. Nedrick (Peters.) ________________________ 2. K. Mitchell (C.H.S.) ________________________ 3. R. Downer (K.C.) ________________________ 4. R. Stona (St.J.) ________________________ 5. Z. Campbell (K.C.) ________________________ 6. D. Delancey (Munro) ________________________ 7. C. Graham (Mead.) ________________________ 8. S. Burke (C.H.S.) ________________________ FINALISTS Demar Gayle’s two-year-old record may soon become a mere figment of the imagination. As far as the non-track and field junkies are concern, Gayle’s 19.52m set at Champs in 2015 is relatively solid. Unfortunately, it may give way at Champs 2017 to distances from Kevin Nedrick. Nedrick, Jamaica’s National Youth Record holder with a throw of 20.12m, not only has his sights set on breaking the Champs record, but also on replacing Ashina Miller’s National Junior Record, which stands at 20.15m. Nedrick threw 20.08m to win the Under 20 Shot Put at the Carifta Trials. These top draw performances from Nedrick appear to have relegated the defending champion, Kyle Mitchell, to a mere footnote. SEASON’S BESTS: Nedrick (Peters.) – 20.08m, Mitchell (C.H.S.) – 18.83m, Downer (K.C.) – 17.19m, Campbell (K.C.) – 16.98m, Burke (C.H.S.) – 16.91m, Stona (St.J.) 16.83, Delancey (Munro) – 16.64m, Sinclair (Munro) – 16.59m, Graham (Mead.) – 16.34m. 200M CLASS III Record: Tyreke Wilson (C.H.S.) – 21.72 (2014) PURPLE POWER 1. T. Stenneth (K.C.) ________________________ 2. R. Scott (Rus.) ________________________ 3. B. Rowe (H.M.) ________________________ 4. J. Johnson (K.C.) ________________________ 5. M. Johnson (Xlcr) ________________________ 6. T. Smith (C.H.S.) ________________________ 7. B. Rowe (H.M.) ________________________ 8. B. Roach (Lac.) ________________________ FINALISTS Not a lot of fireworks have gone off in this event particularly because there has hardly been any clash of the likely medal contenders. The biggest match-up came at the Queen’s Grace Jackson Meet when Jovain Johnson battled Malachi Johnson for early season boasting rights. Jovain Johnson prevailed in a race where both athletes produced sub-23 seconds performances. Johnson’s 22.89s edged his namesake who posted 22.93s to win the overall timed final. The prohibitive favourite in the event is the largely untested Terrique Stenneth. Since suffering an early season defeat to Taraj Smith at the Douglas Forrest Meet, Stenneth is proving too hot to handle. His best moment came at the Corporate Area Development Championships, where he posted a fast 22.66s to register a facile victory in the timed final. Western Champs winner Kalani Cook handed Raheim Scott the narrowest of defeats, 22.57s to 22.59s. SEASON’S BESTS: Cook (Gr.Isl.) – 22.57, Scott (Rus.) – 22.59, Stenneth (K.C.) – 22.66, Johnson (K.C.) – 22.89, Johnson (Xclr) – 22.93, Kerr (K.C.) – 23.04, Rowe (H.M.) – 23.11, B. Nkrumie (K.C.) – 23.18. 200M CLASS II Record: Christopher Taylor (C.H.S.) – 20.80 (2016) SHOW STOPPER 1. S. Dennis (StETHS) ________________________ 2. X. Nairne (Wol.) ________________________ 3. J. Powell (Ed.A.) ________________________ 4. A. Watson (Peters.) ________________________ 5. R. Young (C.H.S.) ________________________ 6. J. Grant (BPort.) ________________________ 7. O. Peart (K.C.) ________________________ 8. J. Treasure (St.J.) ________________________ FINALISTS Sachin Dennis’ victory at Western Champs in 21.52s was enough of a warning signal to all. But when he won at the Digicel Grand Prix Final posting 21.10s, it confirms him to be the favourite going into Champs. Xavier Nairne was not in the race however he is battle-ready. This was evident when he placed second behind Michael Stephens in the U18 Boys 200m at the recent Carifta Trials. Nairne’s 21.35s was impressive on the day. Jeremy Farr posted 21.79s for third at Carifta Trials and 21.48s for second place at the Digicel Grand Prix Finals. It is not certain whether he will report for this event. A bunch of speedsters particularly from the rural schools are chomping at the bits to get some recognition. Antonio Watson’s 21.75s for the runner-up position at Western Champs makes a candidacy for a medal. It is safe to say that this event will be a cracker with enough quality to deliver a sub-22.00 seconds. SEASON’S BESTS: Dennis (StETHS) – 21.10, Nairne (Wol.) – 21.35, Farr (Wol.) – 21.48, Watson (Peters.) – 21.65, Peart (K.C.) – 21.85, Treasure (St.J.) – 21.93, Grant (BPort) – 21.98.
200M CLASS I Record: Usain Bolt (Wm.K.) – 20.25 (2003) TEST OF SPEED 1. J. Matherson (K.C.) ________________________ 2. C. Taylor (C.H.S.) ________________________ 3. M. Stephens (C.H.S) ________________________ 4. A. Miller (Xlcr) ________________________ 5. R. Dixon (Dint.) ________________________ 6. T. Bryan (K.C.) ________________________ 7. R. Edwards (Munro) ________________________ 8. M. Smith (BPort) ________________________ FINALISTS There is no question that one of the biggest clashes at Champs 2017 will unfold in this event. It brings together a quality field led by Jhevaughn Matherson and Christopher Taylor. Both athletes have never raced each before, this either by design or by circumstances. It is definitely worth going the extra mile to see. Last year Taylor ran 20.80s to break the Class 2 record in the prelims and went on to win comfortably in the finals. Two years before this, in 2014, Matherson triumphed in his first year in the said class in a solid 20.97s. If one were to hark back to the clash of the late eighties between Calabar’s Daniel England and KC’s Dennis Mowatt, one will see that history has been kind to quarter milers in these types of match-ups. Both Matherson’s and Taylor’s preparations have gone well this season and so fans are in for a treat. One should not discount the chances of Michael Stephens, the under 18 Carifta Trials’ winner. Folks don’t leave your seats! SEASON’S BESTS: Taylor (C.H.S.) – 20.59, Dixon (Dint.) – 20.70, Stephens (C.H.S.) – 20.93, Miller (Xlcr) – 21.14, Edwards (Munro) – 21.34, Bryan (K.C.) – 21.40, Stone (Peters.) – 21.45, D. Dunkley (J.C.) – 21.55. HIGH JUMP CLASS I Record: Christoffe Bryan (Wol.) – 2.23m (2014) NO ROOM FOR MISTAKE 1. L. Wilson (St.J.) ________________________ 2. G. Allen (C.H.S.) ________________________ 3. K. Rhooms (C.C.) ________________________ 4. J. Davis (K.C.) ________________________ 5. A. Betton (C.H.S.) ________________________ 6. M. Cunningham (J.C.) ________________________ 7. S. Nelson (K.C.) ________________________ 8. A. Hylton (Rhodes) ________________________ FINALISTS Lushane Wilson’s 2.15m winning performance at the Youngster Goldsmith Classics laid down an important marker and also gives credence to the saying ‘the cream will rise to the top’. He is now the clear favourite to win the gold medal but should not lull himself into complacency as the threats posed by Kobe-Jorda Rhooms and Gabriel Allen are credible. While Rhooms’ latest victory at the Carifta Trials is timely, Wilson and Allen have the psychological advantage over him. The two could not be separated by heights when they both scaled 2.10m at the Camperdown Classics to occupy the first two positions. The event is set to get underway late Saturday evening and it will get the spectators into action as most of the top contending schools should field a potential medal winner. SEASON’S BESTS: Wilson (St.J.) – 2.15m, Allen (C.H.S.) – 2.10m, Rhooms (C.C.) – 2.08m, Betton (C.H.S.) – 2.05m, Clarke (C.H.S.) – 2.05m, Thompson (St.G.C.) – 2.00m, Davis (K.C.) – 2.00m, B. Robinson (StETHS) – 1.95m, S. Nelson (K.C.) – 1.95m, Hylton (Rhodes) – 1.95m, T. Haughton (St.J.) – 1.95m. TRIPLE JUMP CLASS II Record: O’Brien Waysome (J.C.) – 14.75m (2013) ‘RABALAC’ STRIKES BACK 1. R. Campbell (C.H.S.) ________________________ 2. M. Beecher (J.C.) ________________________ 3. S. Lowe (K.C.) ________________________ 4. L. Reid (C.H.S.) ________________________ 5. A. Edwards (J.C.) ________________________ 6. A. Davis (Camp.) ________________________ 7. N. Richards (K.C.) ________________________ 8. K. Kerr (St.J.) ________________________ FINALISTS Richard Campbell produced 14.42m for fourth spot in the U18 category at the Carifta Trials. The mark became the best mark among Class 2 competitors. It also outstripped the 14.04m produced by early season favourite, Shaquille Lowe. The two, along with Beecher are the only ones over the 14-meter mark. Competitions in this event were far and few between and could be the reason there is no great degree of certainty around the predicted places this time around. What is noticeable about the field is that eight athletes from only four schools appear poised to score. SEASON’S BESTS: Campbell (C.H.S.) – 14.42m, Beecher (J.C.) – 14.39m, Lowe (K.C.) – 14.04m, Richards (K.C.) – 13.65m, Johnson (C.H.S.) – 13.40m, Davis (Camp.) – 13.60m, Reid (C.H.S.) –13.57m, A. Brown (J.C.) –13.56m. POINTS SUMMARY BEFORE THE RELAYS WITH 6 FINALS TO GO The writing is now on the wall; Kingston College will not be caught again. With the relays and the 5000m being the only events remaining to be contested, it can be said that the boys from North Street have done enough at this stage. Having said this though, it is never advisable for any team to take their feet off the gas, particularly against the back drop that unlucky relays are among the next set of events. We have seen spills that have wiped out leads enjoyed by teams before. Kingston College have established a commanding lead. The boys from North Street should now look to press to the finishing line as victory beckons. Points Summary: K.C. [302pts] C.H.S. [282pts] St.J. [116pts] J.C. [115pts] MEDLEY RELAY CLASS I & II Record: Kingston College– 3:25.78 (2014) THE EVENT OF THE UNKNOWN 1. Calabar ________________________ 2. Jamaica College ________________________ 3. St. Elizabeth Technical ________________________ 4. Kingston College ________________________ 5. Wolmer’s ________________________ 6. Excelsior ________________________ 7. Spaldings ________________________ 8. Petersfield ________________________ FINALISTS The Gibson Relays provided glimpses of what might unfold in the Medley Relays. While St Jago High was rewriting the history book in the 4x800m at the 41st edition of Gibson/McCook Relays, the self-imposed absence of Elizabeth Technical High School would have prevented the display of their half milers at the relay carnival. StETHS’ absence masks the potency of a potential gold medallist in the Medley Relays. KC, JC and Calabar are hidebound of their traditions and would want to select a strong team to maximize points. This year, each of these teams has a good chance of winning. Predicting a winner though is like shooting an arrow in the dark. But rest assured the event will not be void of high drama. Also, the performances should be enhanced since the preliminary rounds are now brought forward to Thursday instead of Friday. It should eliminate the back to back days of actions on Friday and Saturday making the participants more rested for the final. 4 x 100M CLASS I Record: Calaber High – 39.08 (2015) HOLD ON TO YOUR SEAT! 1. Calabar ________________________ 2. Kingston College ________________________ 3. Excelsior ________________________ 4. Jamaica College ________________________ 5. St. Jago High ________________________ 6. St Catherine High ________________________ 7. Wolmer’s ________________________ 8. Camperdown High ________________________ FINALISTS Kingston College dominated this event at the Gibson/McCook Relays racing to 39.90s, after failing to complete the race at the Milo Western Relays. Excelsior surprisingly 53
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- Page 15 and 16: Ristananna Tracey, who set the Cham
- Page 17: FEATURES Akeem Bloomfield Stacy-Ann
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- Page 23 and 24: Michael Stephens Obrien Wasome Sean
- Page 25: Adrian Mitchell Christopher Taylor
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- Page 32: O’Brien Wasome Nigel Ellis Shanic
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- Page 38 and 39: Lotavia Brown 34 Tissana Hickling P
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- Page 49 and 50: Roje Stona DISCUS CLASS I Record: T
- Page 51 and 52: Jeremy Farr Aryamanya Rodgers & Kim
- Page 53 and 54: Antonio Watson Kevin Nedrick POINTS
- Page 55: Kimar Farquharson The Queen’s Gra
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- Page 64: 1-888-NCB-FIRST | www.jncb.com Live
Kevin<br />
Nedrick<br />
Jhevaughn<br />
Matherson<br />
Christopher<br />
Taylor<br />
800M CLASS I<br />
Record: Sherwin Burgess (Vere) – 1:48.84 (1987)<br />
A GALAXY OF HALF MILERS ON SHOW<br />
1. A. Colley (Rus.) ________________________<br />
2. T. Reid (SpotV.) ________________________<br />
3. L. Clarke (St.J.) ________________________<br />
4. J. James (StETHS) ________________________<br />
5. R. Butler (StETHS) ________________________<br />
6. J. Williams (C.H.S.) ________________________<br />
7. J. Pierre (St.J.) ________________________<br />
8. A. Jackson (Christ.) ________________________<br />
FINALISTS<br />
Last year’s bizarre result is being counted as an<br />
aberration because it has been decades since<br />
spectators have witnessed such a pedestrian<br />
winning time. The race played out to be a tactical<br />
one and eventual came down to a veritable foot<br />
race. In the end, Excelsior’s Nathan Brown stole<br />
a march on a super talented field to snatch the<br />
gold medal. It is déjà vu going into Champs<br />
when one considers the calibre contenders<br />
on show again, all aiming to dip below the<br />
1:50.00-seconds barrier. Out of relative obscurity<br />
came Tyrese Reid, who has conquered all<br />
before him except one. Akeem Colley has been<br />
equally imperious in competitions this season<br />
although he played second fiddle to Reid at<br />
Western Champs. Both Reid and Colley had<br />
contrasting victories at the Carifta Trials. Reid<br />
won the U18 category in 1:51.11s while Colley<br />
captured the U20 version in 1:52.11s. Colley<br />
defeated Reid in their most recent head-to-head<br />
clash at the Digicel Grand Prix Finals. The old<br />
guards have returned, gunning for a position<br />
atop the podium. Will Colley lead a merry clip?<br />
Or will there be a repeat of 2016, where the<br />
tactical wait-and-see strategy eventually led the<br />
tightly-bunched runners to a homestretch sprint<br />
to the finish line?<br />
SEASON’S BESTS: Reid (SpotV.) – 1:51.11, Colley<br />
(Rusea’s) – 1:52.11, Jackson (Christ.) – 1:52.31,<br />
Clarke (St.J.) – 1:52.46, Rowe (K.C.) – 1:52.56,<br />
Butler (StETHS) – 1:52.86, Jean-Pierre (St.J.) –<br />
1:53.17, Blackman (J.C.) – 1:53.34.<br />
SHOT PUT CLASS I<br />
Record: Demar Gayle (Ed.A.) – 19.52m (2015)<br />
CHAMPS’ FIRST 20-METER DISTANCE LOOMS<br />
1. K. Nedrick (Peters.) ________________________<br />
2. K. Mitchell (C.H.S.) ________________________<br />
3. R. Downer (K.C.) ________________________<br />
4. R. Stona (St.J.) ________________________<br />
5. Z. Campbell (K.C.) ________________________<br />
6. D. Delancey (Munro) ________________________<br />
7. C. Graham (Mead.) ________________________<br />
8. S. Burke (C.H.S.) ________________________<br />
FINALISTS<br />
Demar Gayle’s two-year-old record may soon<br />
become a mere figment of the imagination. As<br />
far as the non-track and field junkies are concern,<br />
Gayle’s 19.52m set at Champs in 2015 is<br />
relatively solid. Unfortunately, it may give way at<br />
Champs 2017 to distances from Kevin Nedrick.<br />
Nedrick, Jamaica’s National Youth Record holder<br />
with a throw of 20.12m, not only has his sights<br />
set on breaking the Champs record, but also<br />
on replacing Ashina Miller’s National Junior<br />
Record, which stands at 20.15m. Nedrick threw<br />
20.08m to win the Under 20 Shot Put at the<br />
Carifta Trials. These top draw performances from<br />
Nedrick appear to have relegated the defending<br />
champion, Kyle Mitchell, to a mere footnote.<br />
SEASON’S BESTS: Nedrick (Peters.) – 20.08m,<br />
Mitchell (C.H.S.) – 18.83m, Downer (K.C.) –<br />
17.19m, Campbell (K.C.) – 16.98m, Burke (C.H.S.)<br />
– 16.91m, Stona (St.J.) 16.83, Delancey (Munro)<br />
– 16.64m, Sinclair (Munro) – 16.59m, Graham<br />
(Mead.) – 16.34m.<br />
200M CLASS III<br />
Record: Tyreke Wilson (C.H.S.) – 21.72 (2014)<br />
PURPLE POWER<br />
1. T. Stenneth (K.C.) ________________________<br />
2. R. Scott (Rus.) ________________________<br />
3. B. Rowe (H.M.) ________________________<br />
4. J. Johnson (K.C.) ________________________<br />
5. M. Johnson (Xlcr) ________________________<br />
6. T. Smith (C.H.S.) ________________________<br />
7. B. Rowe (H.M.) ________________________<br />
8. B. Roach (Lac.) ________________________<br />
FINALISTS<br />
Not a lot of fireworks have gone off in this event<br />
particularly because there has hardly been<br />
any clash of the likely medal contenders. The<br />
biggest match-up came at the Queen’s Grace<br />
Jackson Meet when Jovain Johnson battled<br />
Malachi Johnson for early season boasting<br />
rights. Jovain Johnson prevailed in a race<br />
where both athletes produced sub-23 seconds<br />
performances. Johnson’s 22.89s edged his<br />
namesake who posted 22.93s to win the overall<br />
timed final. The prohibitive favourite in the event<br />
is the largely untested Terrique Stenneth. Since<br />
suffering an early season defeat to Taraj Smith<br />
at the Douglas Forrest Meet, Stenneth is proving<br />
too hot to handle. His best moment came at the<br />
Corporate Area Development Championships,<br />
where he posted a fast 22.66s to register a facile<br />
victory in the timed final. Western Champs<br />
winner Kalani Cook handed Raheim Scott the<br />
narrowest of defeats, 22.57s to 22.59s.<br />
SEASON’S BESTS: Cook (Gr.Isl.) – 22.57, Scott<br />
(Rus.) – 22.59, Stenneth (K.C.) – 22.66, Johnson<br />
(K.C.) – 22.89, Johnson (Xclr) – 22.93, Kerr (K.C.)<br />
– 23.04, Rowe (H.M.) – 23.11, B. Nkrumie (K.C.)<br />
– 23.18.<br />
200M CLASS II<br />
Record: Christopher Taylor (C.H.S.) – 20.80 (2016)<br />
SHOW STOPPER<br />
1. S. Dennis (StETHS) ________________________<br />
2. X. Nairne (Wol.) ________________________<br />
3. J. Powell (Ed.A.) ________________________<br />
4. A. Watson (Peters.) ________________________<br />
5. R. Young (C.H.S.) ________________________<br />
6. J. Grant (BPort.) ________________________<br />
7. O. Peart (K.C.) ________________________<br />
8. J. Treasure (St.J.) ________________________<br />
FINALISTS<br />
Sachin Dennis’ victory at Western Champs<br />
in 21.52s was enough of a warning signal to<br />
all. But when he won at the Digicel Grand Prix<br />
Final posting 21.10s, it confirms him to be the<br />
favourite going into Champs. Xavier Nairne<br />
was not in the race however he is battle-ready.<br />
This was evident when he placed second behind<br />
Michael Stephens in the U18 Boys 200m at<br />
the recent Carifta Trials. Nairne’s 21.35s was<br />
impressive on the day. Jeremy Farr posted<br />
21.79s for third at Carifta Trials and 21.48s for<br />
second place at the Digicel Grand Prix Finals. It is<br />
not certain whether he will report for this event.<br />
A bunch of speedsters particularly from the rural<br />
schools are chomping at the bits to get some<br />
recognition. Antonio Watson’s 21.75s for the<br />
runner-up position at Western Champs makes a<br />
candidacy for a medal. It is safe to say that this<br />
event will be a cracker with enough quality to<br />
deliver a sub-22.00 seconds.<br />
SEASON’S BESTS: Dennis (StETHS) – 21.10,<br />
Nairne (Wol.) – 21.35, Farr (Wol.) – 21.48, Watson<br />
(Peters.) – 21.65, Peart (K.C.) – 21.85, Treasure<br />
(St.J.) – 21.93, Grant (BPort) – 21.98.
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