Western Champs in spotlight at Herbert Morrison

WESTERN BUREAU:

The Herbert Morrison Technical High School playing field in Montego Bay will be buzzing with activity today as the County of Cornwall Athletics Association (COCAA) stages day one of the Western Athletics Championships.

Today will be dominated by qualifiers for almost all the track events. There will also be plenty of points to be gained in the field events. The meet will climax at the St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) Sports Complex in Santa Cruz on Saturday with the second and final day.

Stephen Smith, president of COCAA, said patrons can expect the usual outstanding performances at the meet.

"Western Champs has always produced a lot of excellent performances," Smith said. "The biggest issue we are faced with is that the true quality might not show because we will be running on grass. The times especially for the sprints will not represent the quality of the west. However, we are still expecting some good performance."

Marvin James, head coach of STETHS track and field team, said the team is still in shock following Saturday's passing of beloved veteran coach Eldemire Smith but they are seeking to use the tragedy as motivation to successfully defend both their boys' and girls' titles.

Smith, 68, served the Santa Cruz-based institution for some 43 years as vice-principal, mathematics and physical education teacher and coach. The veteran coach passed away at home in Siloah after ailing since December but his illness got worse after he suffered a stroke last month.

"The team is not taking it well," James said. "Western Champs has always been one of his babies. Even before the sad news we were already talking about doing it (defending our titles) for Mr Smith. The management staff and a team from the guidance department sat with them and we tried to put a positive spin to it by urging them to defend both titles for him, especially the girls' title."

Coach of Petersfield High School, Machel Woolery, said they will focus more on performance at the meet.

He is also expecting his top boy Yakini Bowen in the throws and his top girl, sprint hurdler Alexis James, to show up well at the meet.

"It's looking good so far. We have some injuries but we are trying to make the best of the situation," Woolery said.

"James will certainly have strong competition in the 100m from Mt Alvernia's Carleta Bernard. Bowen is not expected to be challenged strongly in the discus but in the shot put he can expect a tough fight from William Knibb High's Chavez Grey," he added.