WORLD JUNIOR 100m bronze medallist Remaldo Rose of Camperdown High is expected to shine at today's first renewal of the 4E-sponsored Camperdown Classics at Stadium East Complex.
Rose, who holds both Class Two sprint records - 100m (10.45) and 200m (21.18) at Champs - will tackle his pet event for the first time this season after decent runs over 400 metres on two occasions.
In one-lap races this season, Rose, the reigning Class One 100m champion, posted sub-49 times in his last race at the Grace Jackson/Queen's Invitational on January 28.
SCHOOLGIRL SPRINT HURDLER
Meanwhile, World Youth silver medallist Natasha Ruddock of St. Jago, the most talented schoolgirl sprint hurdler in Jamaica, should face the starter in the girl's Class Two 200m. In a half-lap event this season, Ruddock, who is also the Pan American Junior 100m hurdles silver medallist, finished fourth in 25 seconds.
Ruddock, 17, a three-time Carifta Games Under-17 100m hurdles champion, could face her St. Jago teammate Latoya King, who is the reigning World Youth 200m bronze medallist and Queen's High's Samantha Henry.
Both top athletes, Rose and Ruddock, along with others will be observed by meet director and national coach Glen Mills. Arguably one of the best sprint coaches, Mills, also a Camperdown product, will be honoured for his services to the school.
He started at the East Kingston institution in January 1961, and according to Principal Cynthia Cooke "he has not left since".
She added: "We therefore have no alternative but to have him as the first person honoured by the organisers of the meet."
Mills currently works with World Junior 200 metres record holder Usain Bolt, 2001 world 100 metres champion Kim Collins, Olympic relay gold medallist Aleen Bailey and English sprinter Dwain Chambers.
TOP SCHOOLS ABSENT
Last year 54 schools participated with more than 2000 athletes, but with the Milo Western Relays also on today, most of the island's top schools will be absent.
Sponsors 4E will donate $60,000 to the winning boys and girls team, $25,000 for each second place school and $15,000 each of the third place teams.
In addition, the top rural girls and boys teams will receive $15,000 apiece to assist with travelling expenses to the event, while the top two coaches will receive $5000 each.
Events down for contention will be 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 400m hurdles, long jump, high jump, triple jump open, 4x100m relays (all classes) and 4x400 metres relays. The first event gets under way at 8:30 a.m. sharp.
