STETHS control their event

Hosts St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) had some top performances at the Grace/STETHS Invitational track and field meet on Saturday with Edwin Allen High also showcasing strength and depth.

The defending Western Relays champions, STETHS, started with an excellent performance in the featured 4x800 metres relay, as anchor Barrain Smith brought them from third to win the event, as he clocked 1:55.1 minutes for his leg.

"My timing last year was better as because of injury, I couldn't perform up to my full potential this year, and I took it easy. I took one for the team because I wasn't supposed to run, but because this is my last year, I took the chance," Smith said.

The crowd was in a frenzy from his performance and he acknowledged the upbeat fans during the race by pointing the baton to the stands.

"I am from St Elizabeth, so we have to put on a show for the STETHS family because they are always there to support. Seeing that they were past students there, I know they were jovial back in the day. For me, we couldn't just make the place dead," he added.

STETHS finished the race in 8:03.90 minutes, with Edwin Allen doing 8:11.63 and Maggotty High School 8:16.59.

Habiba Harris also performed excellently for STETHS, winning the Class One girls' 100 metres in 11.89 seconds, outdoing her 12.09 seconds last year. Harris, returning from an injury, finished ahead of teammate Shanque Williams, who did 12.17 and Edwin Allen's Natasha Fox with 12.48.

"I felt extremely grateful and proud of myself because at the time of my injury, it was a very low time for me, and I missed out on a lot. I am thankful to my coaches, who have helped me throughout the process, and I am happy to be better than I was last year," Harris said.

STETHS also had a first-and-second-place finish in the Class One girls' high jump, which was won by Chloe Palmer, who finished with 1.60 metres, the same as second and third place Richelle Stanley and William Knibb's Cheyenne Cooper.

Munro College's Javonte Smith won the Class Two boys' discus with a throw of 52.07 metres, ahead of his teammate Rajeem Streete, who did 47.08 and Edwin Allen's Xavier Gayle with 38.16 metres.

Cornwall College's Mar-Lando Farquharson won the Class One shot put with 16.36 metres. Munro's Devonte Edwards with 15.70 metres and Clarendon College's Cleon Sewell with 14.10 finished second and third, respectively.

The Open girls' 4x400 metres relay was won by STETHS, with 3:47.35 minutes as Edwin Allen C finished second in 3:47.49 and Edwin Allen B third in 3:59.54. Edwin Allen had three teams in the event.

The Open boys' 4x400 metres relay was also won by STETHS in 3:19.83 minutes, as William Knibb with 3:20.58 and Edwin Allen with 3:23.55 were second and third, respectively.