Latest News
Calabar High impressive at Gibson McCook Relays
February 24, 2025
A month ahead of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships, Calabar High sent a strong message to their rivals at Saturday's 48th staging of the Gibson McCook Relays.
Their performance made it clear that they are serious contenders for the Boys Champs' Mortimer Geddes Trophy when the Championships begin on March 25.
All season, the Red Hills Road-based school has been showing signs of their improved form both on and off the track, but on Saturday, they exploded in the relays, emerging as the most dominant male high school team.
They captured three events, finished second in one, and placed third in two. It could have been five wins for the Corey Bennett-coached team, but they were a bit unlucky.
After winning the Open 4x800m relay, they were disqualified along with two other teams for taking the baton outside the exchange zone. They were also unfortunate in the Open 4x400m, where anchor runner Nickecoy Bramwell took the lead at the final 200 metres and seemed poised for victory before pulling up and falling to the track.
With the quartet of Jamal Stephenson, Shaquane Gordon, Dijon Swaine and Khamali Gordon leading the way in the Class One 4x100m, they secured victory in 39.60 seconds.
This win was no surprise, given their 40.09-second clocking at the Camperdown Classics a few weeks ago.
However, it was their win in the Class Three 4x200m event that truly stood out. They clocked 1:31.30, the only record set by a high school team at the meet, denying a strong St Jago High team, which finished second in 1:31.44.
Their other victory came in the Class Two 4x200m with a time of 1:27.19.
Additionally, they secured second place in the Class Two 4x100m, clocking an identical 41.26 seconds as winners Kingston College (KC), and placed third in the Class Three 4x100m, and Class One 4x200m.
These performances indicate that Calabar, who scored 194 points for third a year ago, are ready to challenge for the 'Champs' title, despite finishing 191 points behind KC and 84 points behind second-place Jamaica College (JC),.
EDWIN ALLEN/HYDEL SHARE HONOURS
Fans can also expect an intense showdown among the female teams at Champs, as it appears to be a wide-open battle between defending champions Edwin Allen and 2023 champions Hydel. Both teams secured three wins each on Saturday.
Edwin Allen took an early advantage with a very close win in the Class One 4x100m relay. Both teams crossed the finish line simultaneously in 44.81 seconds, but Edwin Allen were awarded the victory.
However, Hydel responded immediately with a surprise win in the Class Two event, clocking 45.70 seconds to edge out a fast-finishing Edwin Allen, who finished second in 45.91 seconds.
Edwin Allen ended the 4x100m relays leading 2-1 after their Class Four team won in 47.56 seconds, while Hydel failed to make the final. Hydel then drew level by winning the 4x200m Open in 1:36.26, an event Edwin Allen did not enter.
The Michael Dyke-coached Edwin Allen team secured their third win with victory in the sprint medley, clocking 3:59.60, while Hydel had to settle for fourth.
In the finale, the Open 4x400m relay, both teams gave fans a thrilling race. With standout quarter-miler Abigail Campbell leading off, Hydel built a significant lead after the opening leg. The Ferry-based team maintained their advantage going into the third exchange.
Outstanding intermediate hurdler Kelly Ann Carr, who had recently defeated Campbell in the Class One 400m at the Central Championships, ran a brilliant leg to bring Edwin Allen level heading into the final 400 metres. Edwin Allen took the lead and held it for most of the race, but the experienced Jody Ann Daley remained composed, passing the Edwin Allen athlete on the final straight-away to secure victory for Hydel in 3:36.11. Edwin Allen finished second in 3:38.46.
With teams like Holmwood Technical, St. Jago, and a resurgent Vere Technical also performing well and looking to play spoilers to the top two, fans are in for what promises to be an intense and epic championships next month.
