Edwin Allen ready to regain girls’ title at Champs – Dyke

FOLLOWING SEVERAL outstanding performances at the recent Central Athletics Championships and the Gibson McCook Relays, Michael Dyke, the head coach of Edwin Allen High's track and field team, is confident that they will regain their girls' title at next month's ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships (Champs).

At the Central Athletics Championships, Edwin Allen amassed a whopping 393.25 points to regain their title after losing by half a point last year to Hydel High. St Jago High were second with 273.50 with Hydel, the defending champions, relegated to third with 254.25.

Three days after that big win the team turned up at the Gibson McCook Relays where they continued the momentum. After failing to win any of the 4x100 metres relays last year, they won two and finished second in the other two races this year. They also had a big win in the 4x400m open to be the top female high school team at the meet with three wins.

"That big win at Central Athletics Championships has given the team a lot of confidence and also a big momentum going forward just a few weeks ahead of Champs," said Dyke." We will not be complacent, however, as the team learnt a lot from last year and we do not want to be over confident."

Over the years, the Central Athletics Championships winners usually go on to win at Champs but Dyke said they will remain focussed.

"We are in a good position but that will not make us get too relaxed. We will keep the team focused," he said.

Dyke is very proud of his team's display at the Gibson McCook Relays.

"The Gibson McCook Relays is always a good measuring stick to gauge your team ahead of Champs. It allowed us to tinker with the make-up of the relay teams as it gave us more latitude to organise ahead of Champs," he said.

After losing their title by two points to Hydel last year, Dyke is extremely confident that in three weeks they will win their 10th title at Champs.

"Once the ladies are healthy and barring any major mishaps, I am extremely confident that we will get back on top and win our 10th title," a very confident Dyke said.