Going the (middle) distance - JC target 800m/1500m dominance at Champs

The middle-distance group has been the core of Jamaica College’s (JC) athletics programme for the past three seasons, and coach Dwayne Johnson is looking to step it up a notch and push the team’s effort at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships next month.

In fact, the coach is certain that his charges can score more than the 59 points they tallied at last year’s championships, pointing to his unit’s all-round quality.

“I believe I can score 75 points this time, and I believe that because we are strong right across the board in all three classes. Last year, we scored heavily in the 800m, but not so much in the 1500m, and we have worked on that,” Johnson said.

Johnson is confident that his boys will improve because at least three of them are ranked in podium positions so far this season.

“In Class Three, Kemarrio Bygrave and Jermaine Fender are doing well in the 1500 and 800 metres. Bygrave is at 4:26 in the 1500, and he is ranked No. 3. He also ran 2:05 in the 800m, which also ranks him third. Fender made the final of the 1500m Class Three last year, even though he was still a Class four athlete, and I am looking for him to come good at Champs,” Johnson explained.

Last year’s bronze medallist in the 1500m, J’Voughnn Blake, is ranked No. 1 in both the 800m and 1500m in Class Two. He ran 1.53.88 at his home meet in January and has not run the event since. He registered 4:04.24 at the S.W. ISAAC Henry Invitational.

Johnson said he will be partnered with Omarion Davis, the first-year Class Two athlete, who finished second in Class Three at 800m and won the 1500m last year.

“I am coaching Blake to break both the 800m and 1500m records,” Johnson explained. “Omarion is stepping up in class, but I believe he will come good when it matters.”

The Class Two 800m record was set two years ago by Calabar High School’s Kimar Farquharson at 1:51.26, while the 1500m record is owned by another Calabar athlete, Kevroy Venson, at 3:55.38.

Dejuan Blackman is expected to carry the flag for JC in Class One. He is ranked No. 2 in the class with his 1:52.17 effort at his home meet back in January.

He will be supported by Cavvelle Beckles and Rushane Fullerton, who have both gone under 1:55 so far this season.