By Raymond Graham, Freelance Writer 
Morgan (left) and Robinson (right)
LOCAL TRACK and field fans will get a sneak preview of next weekend's National Senior Track and Field Championships when the Lasco sponsored National Club Championships gets underway at G.C. Foster College today starting at 9:30 a.m.
Following last year's success where they took home the double by winning the male and female titles, Windalco will again be coming with all guns blazing in their quest for a repeat. The word is that both male and female teams will be well represented.
It is expected that several of the athletes who will be vying for selection on the national team for the Olympics will be on show and will be hoping to put on strong performances going into the championships.
UNEARTHING UNSUNG HEROES
The Club Championships which has produced the likes of Beverly Grant and Olympic champion Deon Hemmings has surely played its part in unearthing unsung heroes and today some new stars from clubs across the island could once again get the chance to display their talent.
Since the inception of this Meet some 15 years ago, Windalco have been dominating the female section. But with some 14 clubs, inclusive of the Regional S.D.C teams as well as the Jamaica Juniors, who are preparing for the Junior CAC Championships and the World Junior Track and Field Championships, down to take part, they should expect to be tested every step of the way.
Windalco should, however, prove equal to the task with a team which will include overseas-based twins Camille and Carlene Robinson, fresh from last weekend's NCAA Championships in Texas, along with Sheryl Morgan, Nadine Palmer and company, Windalco should prove equal to the task.
MORGAN AND ROBINSON CLASH
The clash in the women's 400 metres hurdles where Morgan and Robinson will renew battle should be one of the main attractions. Other female teams expected to do well are GC Foster Club and It Dat.
The G.C Foster team will include National Junior 100 metres silver medalist Alicia Sewell as well as local long jump star Kedene Geddes.
The Mike Olliviere-coached It Dat team has several national representatives in their line up and these include Judyth Kitson, former Immaculate star Maria Brown, Jenice Daley and Toni Ann Doyley.
In the male section, the Stephen Francis coached MVP team will be coming all out, with or without Asafa Powell. The likes of sprinters Ainsley Waugh, Winston Smith, 400 metres hurdler Gregory Lyttle and middle distance athlete Evan Allen who was spotted at the meet last year, competing for a SDC team, are expected to do well for the Francis-coached team.
In the male section the Maurice Wilson-coached G.C. Foster Club team could spring a surprise. The team includes overseas-based Lawrence Dill in the 100 metres along with Carl Barrett and quarter miler Lansford Spence who was a part of the Jamaica senior team in Paris, France last year.
Following their inaugural entrance in 1999, the Jamaica Juniors have brought a lot of competitiveness to the meet. With the World Juniors coming up next month, this is a great opportunity for these athletes to get top class competition before the games. Meet director, Maurice Westney, is very upbeat about this year's Championships.
"We have received a record number of entries and I am very confident we are going to see some top class performances as the athletes will be using the opportunity to warm up for the Senior Championships," said Westney.
