Holmwood set to rule
published: Tuesday | February 21, 2006

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Sonita Sutherland (left), Schillonie Calvert (centre) and Anastasia Le-Roy of Holmwood Technical School celebrate after their 4x400m victory at Girls' Champs in March last year. All three runners will be in action at today's Central Champs. - FILE

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Holmwood boys will be looking to retain their South Central Athletics Championships title when the two-day meet runs off at Kirkvine Sports Club today.

"Most of my top runners will do one event and a relay. We are going to defend our boys' title," Holmwood boys' coach Edward Hector told The Gleaner yesterday.

Hector said he expects strong challenge from Edwin Allen, Manchester High and Claude McKay.

"Edwin boys and Claude McKay seem to be moving up and we can't rule out Manchester. All these teams have Classes Three and Four while I don't," Hector pointed out.

On the girls' side, none of the top coaches, Dwayne Jarrett of defending champions Vere, Manchester's Jerry Holness, Edwin Allen's Michael Dyke and Maurice Wilson of girls' champions Holmwood expressed real interest in winning.

Vere's Jarrett said he will not be at full strength, but aims to "get more qualifiers for Champs and consistency in terms of performance" is his main aim.

Wilson said his aim is to see how his girls "match up against different teams in different events".

He also said he wants to see "the readiness of the athletes in relation to specific events".

Unlike Vere, Holmwood will turn out all their big 'guns' - World Junior silver medallist Sonita Sutherland, World Youth bronze medallist Schillonie Calvert, World Junior silver medallist Anastacia Le-Roy and Rose-Marie White.

Edwin Allen's Dyke said: "I might have everybody, but I am not going to win Central Champs ... that is not my main goal ... but there are some persons we need to look at."

Manchester's Jerry Holness said: "I will be participating, but not necessarily competing at full strength.

"I am going to give all the main athletes one event each, no one will double up."