Schools fly out for Penn Relays

SEVERAL local high schools will leave the island today to compete in the April 28-30 Penn Relays in Franklinfield, Philadelphia.

University of Technology will be leaving from the Norman Manley Airport while top high school female team, Edwin Allen High will depart Montego Bay this evening to New York before driving over to Philadelphia.

Kingston College, Holmwood Technical and Vere Technical will also be going through Montego Bay this afternoon where they will head straight to Philadelphia.

Michael Dyke, head coach for Edwin Allen's girls, expects to do well in the 4x100m, 4x400m and 4x800m.

"We are very strong in the 4x100m and 4x800m and despite not running consistently well in the 4x400 metres so far this season I am confident that the girls can pull it off," Dyke said.

has warned

His top half miler, Cemore Donald, will not be competing at the Penn Relays this season but Dyke is confident that they will still win the event.

"Donald (Cemore) is just in Class Three and we are not taking her this year as we risk not having her in the final year of competition as an athlete can only compete at this meet for four years," said Dyke.

George Forbes, the competitions officer at the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association has warned the various schools to ensure that all their athletes are eligible to compete the meet.

Forrbes recently sent letters to the principals of the schools attending the meet, reminding them of the four-year eligibility rule at the Penn Relays.

Eligibility is registered when the athlete first competes at the meet. A student who attends the meet in 2014 but misses 2015 and 2016 has a final eligibility year in 2017, even if there is a change of school.