Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
( L -R ) WHITE AND BAILEY
ON YOUR mark, set, go ... Wolmer's boys and Holmwood girls should get off to a fast start when day one of the 2006 VMBS/ISSA Boys' & Girls' Athletics Championships hits the finish line this afternoon.
Wolmer's, through Julian Reid and Robert Peddlar, should pick up second and third behind KC's Alain Bailey in the Class One long jump.
If that happens, Wolmer's should end the day on 13 points, or at least 11, while Bailey may be KC's only hope for points (nine) on day one.
In the female division, Rosemarie White and Deborah Rose should provide Holmwood with 18 points in the triple jump and discus for Class One respectively.
Sherine Richards should also be among the points in the Class Three discus. Vere are likely to close the day in second with possibly 16 points, just ahead of Manchester and Edwin Allen.
Overall, KC and Holmwood are favoured to retain their respective titles.
KC SEEMINGLY UNSTOPPABLE
The team from North Street has kept the core of its side from last year, making it seemingly unstoppable for a sixth straight year.
Bailey, who was voted the most outstanding schoolboy athlete last season, shouldn't have any difficulty retaining the high, long and triple jump titles.
KC will also have a very good time over the hurdles as Leford Green looks set to win the 400m and Kerion Stewart is preferred to teammate Kimarley Henry in the boys' Class Two 110m obstacle event.
Unlike previous years, KC have a very good Class Two 800m runner in Donohue Williams, who won at Carifta Trials in an impressive 1:53.88. He will also run the 1500m, in which he ran 4:14.54 at Trials.
Mario Martin and Nicholas Beaumont should also be in the mix for the pole vault title.
In the Class One sprints, last year's Class Two double sprint champion Cawayne Jervis, who ran 10.45 at Carifta Trials, will feature along with Andre Wellington and Green could be a strong contender in the 400m.
HOLMWOOD HOPES
Holmwood will be banking on the likes of Sonita Sutherland, Schillonie Calvert, Anastasia Le-Roy, Bobbie-Gaye Wilkins and Rosemarie White to carry their flag.
Sutherland, who has a personal best of 51.23, should easily take the 400m; Calvert the 100m (11.39 PR); Le-Roy or Calvert the 200m; Wilkins the 800m and 1,500m in Class Two; White, if fit, should easily win the triple and long jumps and collect at least second in the Class One 100m.
Salcia Slack is the new kid on the block for Holmwood and a lot is expected of her. She is talented in the jumps and throws and could be chasing 12 points in the heptathlon for Holmwood. Holmwood also boast Susan Hall and Rose, formerly of Meadowbrook.
As for the boys challengers, St. Jago are expected to finish second as they don't have the depth needed to beat KC but a lot is expected from Yohan Blake, who won the Carifta Games Under-17 sprint double last year.
St. Jago, Calabar and Jamaica College (JC) are also set to put up strong showings.
CHALLENGERS
On the girls' side, Holmwood's main challengers, Vere, will depend heavily on Class Three sprinter Jura Levy, middle-distance runners Stacey-Ann Bell and Petrona Layne, Inderia Spence, Teneisha Davis, Kimberley Williams, Keniesha Throughsingh, Kayan Robinson and Sharneter Stewart.
Edwin Allen have high hopes and are also aiming at title honours but to do this they will need more than the contributions of Sherene Pinnock, Jodiann Richards, Kimberly Smith, Trudy-Ann Williams, Latoya Nation and Naffene Briscoe.
Manchester are expected to dominate the Class Three and Four sprints and the middle-distance races with Natoya Goule and Neisha Morgan. They should also benefit from Sasha-Gaye Tracey in the 200m and 400m Class Three event and Deneisha Morris.
St. Jago's charge will be spearheaded by top-class hurdler Natasha Ruddock, who is tipped to win the 100m hurdles and 100m, Latoya King in the 200m, Anna-Kay Robinson in the throws and Dorain Samuels in the middle distance races.
