Jazeel Murphy won the coveted 100m Class One title when rocketed his way to a 10.48 finish, ahead of Andrew Fisher of St. Elizabeth Technical High School, who clocked 10.50, and Munro College's Delano Williams, 10.55. The crowd could not remain in their seat, and, as if they were they were the ones running, some paced, some rubbed hands in high anticipation, while some just focused on the track. In the end they witnessed one of the most intense races.
The excitement was similar when the Class Three finals started, and ended in a well executed delivery. Calabar's Michael O'Hara won with 11.15seconds on the clock and celebrated a victory which he had anticipated from the moment he qualified for the finals. Rashaad Saunderson of Kingston College had to settle for second with a time of 11.18, and Raheem Chambers of St. Jago came third with 11.20.
Alec-Verne Longmore of Jamaica College won the Class Two boys' shot put with 15.45m, as Edwin Allen's Demar Gayle scored 14.38m to take second, and Lennon's Orega Welch, took third place with 14.19m.
Excitement Builds- Horns Increase The Thrill
From Mountain View Avenue, the sound of the vuvuzelas is ringing out loud and clear. The other surrounding areas of the National Stadium are sounding as excited spectators show the thrills at the performances of the athletes.
From a distance the explosive sounds of the horns are ringing, sending adrenalin rushing , even as the crowd gathered at the stadium can only move with baby steps.
GraceKennedy is issuing the vuvuzelas to keep the crowd roaring for their favourite athletes. And, the lucky ones who get them are making sure that those who don’t feel envious.
GraceKennedy Add Flavour to Champs With Fashionable Head Accessory
Wolmers' Supporters in their Hair Hawks
The newest addition to the Champs 101 is an imitation of the popular male haircut the Mohawk, which has been taking the market by storm.
GraceKennedy has been distributing Hair Hawks to the spectators at Champs who wish to spice up their look while cheering for their favourite school.
The Hair Hawks come in several colours including purple, yellow, green and blue, and are a hit with the both male and female patrons who fancy the classy and unique style.
Grace branded cheering sticks are also here in abundance and have added to the drone of the vuvuzela as spectators welcome the athletes to the finish line . Their banging speaks constantly to the intense action here at the National Stadium.
The Crowd Increases - Hundreds Of People Turn Out For The Final Day Of Champs 101
The final day of Champs 101 is already generating excitement both inside and outside the stadium. The line of people marching towards the National Stadium tells that something interesting will be taking place today.
The number of vendors outside the stadium has increased, and so has the wares. Whistles, horns, school ties and rags are among some of the items that are and other items are in abundance and the vendors make sure people are aware of what they are selling.
“Support yuh school wid a wave” shouted one woman who was selling handkerchiefs. “If yuh nuh hav a horn yuh nah say nutten” exclaimed another vendor as he waved some horns frantically in the air.
Inside the Stadium, here on Day Four, the bleachers stands already has more people than the three days combined.
Disappointed Bellefield Athlete Sheds Tears at Champs
Moya McKenzie had tears streaming down her face as she waited to go on the podium to collect her bronze medal.
She had been participating at Champs for several years and she has never medalled. Champs 101 will be her last, and she had anticipated a second place finish behind Edwin Allen’s Ristananna Tracey in the GraceKennedy sponsored Class One 400m dash.
However, that dream did not materialise. Instead she placed third behind Tracey (53.28) and Orenthia Bennett of Manchester High (55.26). McKenzine stopped the clock at 56.10.
“I ran a bad curve” she revealed shortly after collecting her medal from Nicholas Bramwell, Senior Brand Manager at Grace Foods and Services.
She continued, “I was supposed to come second but I didn’t run the first curve well,” she said. “I have been beating the second place winner all season.”
The nineteen year old will be moving on to college next year with high hopes of becoming a nurse. But she vows to continue doing track and field, and in the process, she will ensure that she succeeds in the 400m and a new event that she will tackle -- the 400m hurdles.
“In the future I will keep my concentration up and I won’t lose focus,” she declared.
Excelling At Champs Despite Difficult Preparations
Tyler Mason found it difficult to strike a balance between school work and training for Champs 100, but that didn’t hinder him from placing first in the 100m hurdle Class Two.
The 15 year old Jamaica College student thundered to a gold medal in front of thousands of spectators who cheered him on as he sprinted to victory. “Running is fun and it is exciting,” he commented after collecting his gold medal.
Looking back, Mason said he is happy even though he lost out on sleep and social activities as a result of training.
Three Gold Medals--- and Going For A Fourth
Rushelle Burton, was expecting a single gold medal but so far, her gold medal tally has climbed to three.
The shy 13 year old St. Andrew High student won the Class Two 200m, 100m and the 70m hurdles. “I train four times per week” said Burton as she laughed at whether she had trained extra hard to achieve such a feat. “I didn’t expect to win so many medals.”
Burton who hails from Fern Hill in Lawrence tavern said her mother was also a runner, and received a gold and silver medal while she was in high school.
Megan Simmonds, Burton’s teammate described her as “An interesting person to train with” as she is one of the most humble persons she has ever met. “She does very little at training but we all knew that she could do well. She’s amazing, she’s an inspiration.”
Inspired by a Schoolmate
When she saw her former schoolmate doing the hurdles, Kimberly Golding became fascinated with the event. Shermaine Williams performed admirably well, and Golding wanted to be like her.
“I liked her technique and I found hurdles very interesting ever since that time I saw her, she was an inspiration” revealed Golding, a student of Alpha Academy.
Last year, she won a bronze medal, but she has stepped up her performance to grab the gold medal this year for the Class One hurdles.
While it is an achievement to be proud of, Golding thinks she could have done better. “I wanted to run a better time but I didn’t do it,” she frowned.
She said next year she will be defending her title, and she hopes her dream can materialize then.
Traves Smikle’s Last Year At Champs
Star discus athlete Traves Smikle of Calabar High School is saying goodbye to Champs but he is by no means sad.
Since his first performance at Champs in 2007, he has accumulated five medals, three gold for discus and two silver for shot put. “Everybody is proud of me, they look up to me and wish that I do well at all my events,” he said.
Here at Champs 101, Smikle set a new junior record of 66.88m for his favourite event - discus. “I feel good knowing that this is my last year and I performed well with a new national record,” he said smiling.
The eighteen year old also won a silver medal for the shot put, as his teammate Ashinia Miller placed second. “I feel good to see my teammate win with a new record, and that both of us contributed points to the team,” said Smikle.
So what’s the next move? He is aiming for a good performance in the CARIFTA games and he is keeping his fingers crossed for an impressive PANAM trials, then hopefully the World Championships.
Jamaica College wins coveted title – New Boys’ Champs
The boys from Old Hope Road have secured a victory in Champs following a 10 year break from the title.
JC’s last win at the GraceKennedy Annual Boys’ and Girls’ Champs came in 2000. However, they had controlled the reins on the event in 1998 and 1999.
The boys in blue are celebrating in excited dance and shouts as to ensure that people recognize their achievement.
Students, athletes and well-wishers of the JC should be proud of the boys who have upset Kingston College which was predicted to win the events after taking the lead at the end of the penultimate day of Champs 100.
Nine in a row -Holmwood Technical Wins Girls’ Champs 101
Some predicted that the Franklield girls from Edwin Allen High would take the title, but the Holmwood held strong, and fought back to make it nine in a row at Champs 101.
It was an intense battle here at the National Stadium in Kingston since the events started this afternoon, with the two schools fighting to keep the first place title.
However, the Holmwood girls decided to go all out and their efforts have paid off as thousands of fans are celebrating the Girls’ victory with their Grace branded cheering sticks and vuvuzelas.
To show their satisfaction with the title, the girls are now doing their victory song on the running track, decked in their maroon and gold and unique hairstyles- the signature style of Holmwood Technical.
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