Champs 2018: Dyke hails Edwin Allen's field events strength

Michael Dyke, head coach of defending girls champions Edwin Allen High school is expecting fireworks in the field events from his girls over the next five days at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships.

With the likes of Fiona Richards and Annie Ashley showing great form this season, Dyke said his field events athletes should entertain the crowd at Championships with some record-breaking performances.

"We are not only expecting to defend our titles, but to give some outstanding performances right across the board in the various events. We have defending champions like Fiona Richards, who we are expecting to - all being well, probably break the record this year in the discus Class 1," Dyke said.

Richards owns the record at 53.04 metres, a distance she did at Championships last year. She showed her readiness for a big performance at the Digicel Grand Prix, when she threw 49.64m to win the event.

Dyke is also expecting Class One long jumper Annie Ashley, who did a lifetime best at the Digicel Grand prix Final two weeks ago, when she jumped 6.30m to win the Under-17 girls long jump event, to also be in record-breaking mood.

"Our long jump programme has taken off this year and we have Annie Ashley to lead the way," Dyke said.

Janique Burgher is also expected to perform well in the high jump after soaring to 1.80m at Central Championships. Burgher was also a winner at the Digicel Grand Prix Final with a jump of 1.78m.