Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
VERE GIRLS and Holmwood boys retained their respective titles at yesterday's South Central Athletics Championships held at Kirkvine Sports Club in Manchester.
Vere finished on 382 points, 38 more than rivals Holmwood (344). They were followed by Edwin Allen (319), Manchester (303) and Christiana (43).
In the boys' section, which had not been finalised at press time, Holmwood (186) held an unassailable 59-point edge over Edwin Allen (127) with Glenmuir (87) third.
Meanwhile, Vere's coach, Dwayne Jarrett, who had earlier declared his team wasn't going to win, said he was happy with the performance of his side.
"I am satisfied with some of the performances but at the same time it has also showed me that a lot of work is still to be done going into Championships (Girls Champs)," Jarrett said.
Edward Hector, coach of Holmwood, said his boys performed to expectations.
"I am feeling elated at this moment that we took home the championships another year," Hector said.
DOUBLE WINNER
Holmwood's Salcia Slack was a double winner on yesterday's final day. Slack won the Class Two long jump with a leap of 5.42 metres and the discus with a throw of 37.25.
Holmwood's Mickel Downer won the boys' Class One 200m in 21.3, May Day's Sheldon Williams (22.4) took Class Two and Porus' Odain Clarke (23.6) won Class Three.
In the girls' 200m, Schillonie Calvert of Holmwood (23.6) took Class One, Kaycea Jones of Edwin Allen (23.9) won in Class Two, Denesha Morris of Manchester (24.4) took Class Three and Vere's Deandre Whitewhorne (24.8) claimed Class Four honours.
Holmwood's pair of Sonita Sutherland (2:10.10) and Susan Hall (2:17.90) won the girls' Class One and Three 800m respectively while Vere's Taneisha Davis (2:15.70) won Class Two.
Vere's Kimoya Harriott (11.92m) beat her teammate, Keniesha Throughsingh (11.09m), in the girls' shot put open, while Lanmour Bell (32.14) took the boys' Class Two discus.
Edwin Allen's Lotaya Nation took the girls' Class One discus with a throw of 48.19.
GREAT PERFORMANCES
Meanwhile, coaches of Edwin Allen and Holmwood girls said they, too, were happy with the performances of their teams.
Holmwood's Maurice Wilson said: "Right now I am feeling extremely confident.
"My main concern is to keep them injury-free, but at this point in time I am feeling very confident but there are other teams doing great like Vere Technical, Edwin Allen and Manchester.
Edwin Allen's Dyke is also confident.
"I am pretty comfortable, based on the performances so far and what I was expecting. I think I am pretty satisfied, and ready for the championships," Dyke said.
Holness of Manchester, who also used the meet to look at his athletes, said it was a good championships.
