The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE dominance continued for the CH Reeves Raptors in the 22nd edition of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association Junior School Track & Field Championships.

The perennial powerhouse claimed their seventh consecutive title with a total of 562.50 points, over 130 points ahead of their nearest competitors.

It was all Raptors during the two-day meet which concluded yesterday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.

The AF Adderley Tigers finished in second place with 332 points while the SC McPherson Sharks were third with 294 points.

The HO Nash Lions placed fourth with 231.50 points, TA Thompson Scorpions fifth with 199 points, Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves sixth with 184 points, LW Young Golden Eagles seventh with 170 points and the DW Davis Pitbulls closed out the field in eighth place with 166 points.

The Raptors won the 2013 title by over 150 points, saw that margin trimmed considerably in 2014 before returning to a customary 100-point margin of victory this year.

One of the leaders for the Raptors was Anton Pratt in the bantam boys’ division. He took first place in both the the 800m and 1,200m in times of 2:30.77s and 4:04.94s respectively. He was also a member of the 4x400m relay team that took first place in 4:24.61s.

In the junior girls’ division, Raptors’ Tyra McKenzie took the 100m in 13.59s, while Craisha Johnson took the 200m in 26.76s. Johnson also finished second in the long jump (3.66m) behind teammate Aisha Morrison who was first at 3.68m.

Morrison also placed first in the javelin with a throw of 20.67m.

Middle distance events were again beneficial for the Raptors with two-sport star Shenique Knowles winning the 800m and 1500m. She led the Raptors to a runners-up finish in basketball last week, took the 800m in 2:38.70s and the 1,500m in 5:44.71s.

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

In the bantam boys’ division, Reuben Cooper of SC McPherson may have been the top performer of the entire meet with four individual gold medals to his credit.

On the track, he finished first in the 100m in 13.03s, the 200m in 27.49s and the 400m in 1:02.88s. In the field, he took the long jump with a leap of 4.96m.

In the junior boys’ division, it was Max Azor of DW Davis with the sprint double in the 100m and 200m. He took the century in 11.81s and the half-lap in 24.48s.

In the bantam girls’ segment, Kiashia Sands of AF Adderley took first place in the 100m in 12.78s and the 200m in 26.45s.

Raptors 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 senior version of the GSSSA meet is scheduled to begin today and continue Friday as the CV Bethel Stingrays will be out to defend their title.