The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The dominance continued for the CH Reeves Raptors in the 21st edition of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association Junior School Track & Field Championships.

The perennial powerhouse claimed their sixth consecutive title with a total of 374 points at the conclusion of the two-day meet yesterday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

The AF Adderley Tigers finished 56.5 points behind in second place with 317.50 points while the SC McPherson Sharks were third with 248 points.

The TA Thompson Scorpions placed fourth with 247.50 points, LW Young Golden Eagles fifth with 164.50 points, HO Nash Lions sixth with 148 points, Anatol Rodgers seventh with 143 points and the DW Davis Pitbulls closed out the field in eighth place with 96.50 points.

Raptors head coach Lenora Conyers said the programme continues to excel due to the structure set in place by the coaches and the dedication of the students year after year.

“It feels great to win again. I must say the kids worked very hard. From the point we started with practice the kids were dedicated and we worked hard every time, even through mid-term break, we were putting in work. CH Reeves training is the real thing so we know that when we come to this meet we will not come half-stepping. We worked hard for it so the kids came into this meet with high expectations. We had one or two with some injuries that held them back, but all in all it was another great meet for us,” she said.

“We have great dedication in our programme. Once you set the bar for the kids and you tell them what you expect, they will rise to meet it. The kids love to win and for us to come out, steer them in the right direction and encourage them, it makes it an easier transition for them to come on the track and do what they have to do. It’s great for the school. As coaches, we show them how to do things but once they come out, we just ask for them to perform at the best of their ability and that is what the team did out here for the last two days.

The Raptors won the 2013 title by over 150 points and saw that margin trimmed considerably this year, however Conyers looked ahead as her programme will look to field its best athletes for the upcoming Scotiabank High School Nationals.

“The competition was keen. HO Nash and AF Adderley gave us a push on day one and we didn’t know where we stood at the end of the day. Our bantam division really pulled us through, they did us proud,” she said. “Nationals is a short time from now. Next week, we are going to pick out our best athletes we have now. We’ll be ready for nationals next week.”

One of the leaders for the Raptors was Nathan Burrows in the bantam boys’ division.

He took first place in both the the 400m and 800m in times of 57.61s and 2:18.77s respectively. He was also a member of the 4x100m, alongside Tomar Pennerman, Hesley Charlton and Loussaint Jean, which took first place in 53.32s.

There were a number of marquee performances throughout the meet, including several athletes who achieved the coveted sprint double.

In the junior girls’ division, Gayneil Sands of Anatol Rodgers took first place in the 100m in 12.76s and the 200m in 26.52s.

Also in the junior girls’ division, middle distance runner Cavator Pratt of TA Thompson took first place in the 800m in 2:40.43s and the 1,500m in 5:44.31s.

In the bantam boys, Allen Jean of AF Adderley finished first in the 100m in 13.03s and the 200m in 27.49s. Allen won a third gold medal as a member of the Tigers 4x400m team who finished in 4:18.84s, alongside Samuel Gibson, Carlos Hillaire and Tyrese Swain.

In the junior boys’ division, Devaughn Whyms of TA Thompson was the top performer with four gold medals in individual events. In the 100m he clocked 11.85s, returned to take the 200m in 24.54s and the 80m hurdles in 12.17s. In the field he also won the long jump with a leap of 5.81m.

His teammate, fellow Scorpion Mookie Rolle, dominated the middle distance events as he took the 800m in 2:11.76s and the 1,500m in 4:41.31s.

• The senior version of the GSSSA meet is scheduled to begin today and continue on Friday. The CR Walker Knights will be out to defend their title.