Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Oberlin athletes (from left to right) Osahne Earlington, Orane Bunton, Ryan Smith, Rene Hinds and Marcel Lamb pose with the trophy presented to them by Daffodil Bruce-Miller (right), JPS communication relations office, after they were declared Eastern Cross County Athletic Champions on Friday. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

GLENGOFFE WERE crying foul after Friday's JPS-sponsored Eastern Cross Country Athletic Championships held at Oberlin High in the hills of St. Andrew.

According to the organisers, Oberlin, who won the girls' senior section, finished third in the senior boys and second in the junior boys and girls divisions, were crowned overall champions but Glengoffe believed they won the crown.

"We were clearly robbed," said an angry Glengoffe coach Gareth Walker after the event.

Inconsistent rules

Glengoffe won the senior boys and junior girls sections, but were disqualified from the senior girls section in which, according to their coach, they had five of six runners finish in the top 10.

This would have given them the senior girls' title and the overall crown. But, according to the competition's rules, which do not match those of the JAAA and IAAF, which co-ordinator Ferdinand Walters quoted: "A team is allowed six runners and the six should finish, then we score the top four."

Walker said the organisers were not consistent with the rules because they state "that six persons start, four will score, but six should compete in the race ... if there is any medical reason why one athlete or two do not finish, then the team will not be penalised."

Walker said his sixth runner got injured on the course and had to be taken away by the ambulance and medical personnel recommended an X-ray.

International standards

When contacted, the JAAA confirmed the organisers did not follow the rules.

Edward Hector, chairman of the JAAA's cross-country committee, said the international rules state that the number of athletes expected to score are only the ones required to finish. He said that only if less than that amount finished, then the team could be disqualified.

Hector also said the meet was not sanctioned.

"If they are having problems, they can consult with us (JAAA) and we will be more than willing to assist with the development of the middle and long-distance races," he said.

Poorly organised

In what turned out to be a poorly organised meet, no times were available, adding to frustrations on the route where several athletes ran more than 100m beyond the finish.

Buff Bay won the junior boys section. Lamar Marriott of Glengoffe took the senior boys' title, while his teammate, Crystal Palmer, won the girls' junior title.

Sasha Nielson won the senior girls' title and Oshane Earlington of Oberlin was winner in the junior boys' section.