Hydel's coach credits divine providence

Head coach Corey Bennett could only offer one explanation for Hydel High finally reaching the summit of girls' high school athletics: divine providence.

A 13-year journey concluded spectacularly on Saturday, with Hydel dethroning Edwin Allen to win the girls' title at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs).

In the tightest race for the crown in years, Hydel edged their rivals 279 points to 277, benefiting from fortune when Edwin Allen got disqualified from the 1600m girls' medley and securing a crucial girls' 3000 metres win and second place in the 4x400 metres finale.

It wasn't fortune, for Bennet, that brought them success.

"God is good. hTere is no other way to put it. I never really thought we could have done it, to be honest, because I didn't think we had the depth," Bennett told STAR Sports. "The girls dug deep, and some girls that wouldn't be expected to do well did well. We had some mishaps along the way, but God is good."

While everything went right for Hydel on Saturday's final day, it wasn't without difficulties. They had disqualifications in the relays, to points being lost in some areas, but Bennett gave thanks that they were able to overcome for the win.

"A whole lot of things went wrong, to be honest. We got some disqualifications in the heats. We lost a lot of points. Our girl that was the favourite to win the long jump, who made the Carfita Games team, didn't make the final. A lot of things went wrong, but God is good. We give thanks that God put us in a position to win it."

Team captain Oneika McAnuff praised the efforts of their 4x400 metres team, which secured the crucial points, as well as Kaydeen Johnsons' 3000 metres win, which set the stage for Hydel's success, a rewarding end to her high school career. Johnson also won the 2000 metres steeplechase, after falling at the final hurdle, but got up and fought for the victory.

"Our 4x400 team did an excellent job. We had a Class Three on the first leg, and the rest of our team put it together. Kaydeen your steeplechase I must say was the race of the championships for me, besides all the other races," McAnuff said.

"This means a lot. I have been working so hard with my team over the years. So I'm happy in my last year we got this victory."

Hydel are the first new champions since 2012 and the first St Catherine team in 24 years to win the title.