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'Holmwood will win number 9'
Published: Saturday | March 19, 2011
Holmwood's Chris-Ann Gordon ... is expected to be one of the stars of this year's Boys and Girls' Championships.- file
André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
Like they did last year, several local track and field pundits have dismissed Holmwood Technical's chances of successfully defending their title this year, with Edwin Allen expected in some quarters to finally end the dynasty that is threatening a ninth consecutive lien on the girls' title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.
The Christiana-based school endured a close four days of competition last year to outlast Edwin Allen High in the end, to secure a 15-point triumph inside the National Stadium, beating their rivals 273.33 points to 258 points in the final tally.
For Dwight Jones, one of the coaches at the school, there is a familiar air about the mood ahead of this year's championships, and for those that are eyeing their crown, he had this to say.
"History will repeat itself, many people thought that we would not win Champs last year and we went and successfully defended our title, and the same thing will happen this year. We are going to Champs to win our ninth title, we are determined," said Jones.
big names missing
Holmwood would have to continue their push without three of the bigger names in the form of Petra Fanty, Chantae McLean and Sashawna Bennett, who have all moved on. However, with the likes of team captain Janieve Russell and Chris-Ann Gordon marshalling the ranks, Jones reminded everyone that the arsenal is still loaded with explosive talent and that they won't be presenting their title to anyone.
"We have a number of girls who could have returned but we have some solid replacements, plus a number of familiar names, and I'm sure that they will do their part to lead us to title number nine," said Jones, who went on to rate his team's level of preparation going into the March 30 to April 2 championships.
"With the recent Gibson Relays, based on what we saw, we are pleased. There are still some areas that we need to work on, but with a week and a half or so to go, by Champs we will be more than ready," Jones noted. "We have improved throughout the season, the team is still in its 'getting ready' state, but we have been improving gradually."
Relating to the recent Gibson Relays, Holmwood secured three relay victories, each time relegating Edwin Allen into second place.
Holmwood captured the Class 3 4x100m in record time, 45.77 seconds to erase the old mark of 46.00 seconds; the Class 1 4x100m in 45.72 and the 4x800m Open in 8:52.33.
"This year, the key to reclaiming the championships is to get the young girls to understand that they have a ninth title to win so we have to all go out there and give our best. Once everyone gives their best, then we will be returned as champions," said Jones, who went on to remove the notion of complacency in the camp. "From time to time you may see a little complacency creeping in, but when it comes to Champs these girls know what they have to do and they know how to deliver when it matters most."
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2.../sports82.html
Published: Saturday | March 19, 2011
Holmwood's Chris-Ann Gordon ... is expected to be one of the stars of this year's Boys and Girls' Championships.- file
André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter
Like they did last year, several local track and field pundits have dismissed Holmwood Technical's chances of successfully defending their title this year, with Edwin Allen expected in some quarters to finally end the dynasty that is threatening a ninth consecutive lien on the girls' title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.
The Christiana-based school endured a close four days of competition last year to outlast Edwin Allen High in the end, to secure a 15-point triumph inside the National Stadium, beating their rivals 273.33 points to 258 points in the final tally.
For Dwight Jones, one of the coaches at the school, there is a familiar air about the mood ahead of this year's championships, and for those that are eyeing their crown, he had this to say.
"History will repeat itself, many people thought that we would not win Champs last year and we went and successfully defended our title, and the same thing will happen this year. We are going to Champs to win our ninth title, we are determined," said Jones.
big names missing
Holmwood would have to continue their push without three of the bigger names in the form of Petra Fanty, Chantae McLean and Sashawna Bennett, who have all moved on. However, with the likes of team captain Janieve Russell and Chris-Ann Gordon marshalling the ranks, Jones reminded everyone that the arsenal is still loaded with explosive talent and that they won't be presenting their title to anyone.
"We have a number of girls who could have returned but we have some solid replacements, plus a number of familiar names, and I'm sure that they will do their part to lead us to title number nine," said Jones, who went on to rate his team's level of preparation going into the March 30 to April 2 championships.
"With the recent Gibson Relays, based on what we saw, we are pleased. There are still some areas that we need to work on, but with a week and a half or so to go, by Champs we will be more than ready," Jones noted. "We have improved throughout the season, the team is still in its 'getting ready' state, but we have been improving gradually."
Relating to the recent Gibson Relays, Holmwood secured three relay victories, each time relegating Edwin Allen into second place.
Holmwood captured the Class 3 4x100m in record time, 45.77 seconds to erase the old mark of 46.00 seconds; the Class 1 4x100m in 45.72 and the 4x800m Open in 8:52.33.
"This year, the key to reclaiming the championships is to get the young girls to understand that they have a ninth title to win so we have to all go out there and give our best. Once everyone gives their best, then we will be returned as champions," said Jones, who went on to remove the notion of complacency in the camp. "From time to time you may see a little complacency creeping in, but when it comes to Champs these girls know what they have to do and they know how to deliver when it matters most."
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2.../sports82.html