Calabar’s Class One set to sizzle at Gibson-McCook Relays

GIBSON-MCCOOK Relays Class One 4x100 metres record holders Calabar High are set to sizzle at this weekend's meet at the National Stadium.

The Red Hills Road-based school could dip below 40 seconds in the sprint relay. Led by their outstanding sprinter Shaquane Gordon, Calabar were impressive at the Camperdown Classic, clocking 40.07 seconds for the win. They look well set to go even faster on Saturday, with the likes of Jamal Stephens and Dijon Swaine joining the team.

While Calabar are the overwhelming favourites to take the title, they should be wary of Herbert Morrison Technical and Jamaica College. Both have also gone sub-41 seconds. Herbert Morrison finished second to Calabar at the Camperdown Classic in 40.50 while Jamaica College won at the Western Relays in 40.9.

Jamaica College, the runners-up in 2022 and 2023, will be looking to break their drought, relying on talents such as Omary Robinson, Nathaniel Martin, and Deandre Gayle. Kingston College, the 2023 champions and second-place finishers behind Jamaica College at the Western Relays in 41.10 seconds, will be aiming to go much faster. Their hopes will rest on the likes of Daniel Clarke, Nyron Wade and Jermaine Ferguson.

The Travaine Stennett-led Herbert Morrison will carry the hopes of the rural teams as they seek to improve on their second-place finish behind Calabar at the Camperdown Classic.

Despite the pedigree of the other teams, it will be very difficult to deny Calabar. However, their 2015 meet record of 39.32 appears out of reach.