The 43rd staging of The Gibson McCook Puma Relays (The Gibson Relays) was held at the National Stadium on Saturday, February 23. Over the years, it has lived up to the reputation of being one of the best relay carnivals – and some will say worldwide.
In an interview on Television Jamaica (TVJ) Programme Eye on Sports, on February 20, the Organizing Committee Chairman – Professor Rainford Wilks reminded viewers that The Gibson Relays is the only development meet in Jamaica that brings all the high schools together. It also caters to athletes at the Prep/Primary level and our senior athletes – even those at the masters’ level. Professor Wilks noted that the Relays always bring out the strong rivalry between the high schools as a prelude to the ISSA/Grace Boys and Girls Championship.
The Chairman also spoke about some improvements/developments in technology that would be utilized at the 2019 event. These include Photo Finish Camera for the clock at the finish line and Electronic Boards that will demonstrate distance and height at the long jump, pole vault and high jump. The 4 X 400 mixed relays were introduced at the junior level but there were no takers this year.
Annually, The Relays are seen as a dress rehearsal to the Boys and Girls’ Championship and this year was no different. The supporters were out in full force to get a clearer picture of what to expect come March 26, to 30.
In the Boys section KC stamped its dominance on the meet winning six (6) of the eleven relays. Calabar, Wolmer’s Boys, St Jago, Jamaica College (JC) and Enid Bennett High won one relay each. In the Girls’ section Edwin Allen came out on top with 3 wins, Holmwood Technical with two wins, St Jago, The Queen’s School, and Hydel won one relay each.
In the 4X100M – KC won 3 of the 4 races – Class 2, 3 and 4. In Class 2 our “Dream Team” of Terrique Stennett, Adrian Kerr, Bouwahgjie Nkrumie and Jovani Clarke outclassed the field to win with an impressive time of 41.18. Calabar was second in a time of 41.48 and St. Jago third 41.55.
In Class 3, the team of Amontae Wray, Christopher Seaton (Pepsi Captain) Anthony Willis and Akeem Weir (Pepsi Player) won in a time of 43.71 Seconds with Calabar in second and JC third with times of 43.83 and 43.95 respectively.
In Class 4, the team of Jevaughn Powell, Marvin Patterson, Ra’John Gray and Daniel Gayle, was commanding in victory with a time of 45.64 well ahead of St. Jago and JC who were second and third with times of 47.03 and 47.39 respectively.
In Class 1, Calabar crossed the line first with but the team was disqualified for a lane infringement. As a result, Wolmers was promoted to first place, St. Jago moved up to second and KC to third place
In the 4 X 200 KC had two wins – Class two and Class 4. In Class 2, the team of Bjorn Clarke, Jovani Clarke, Michael Joseph and Tyrese Williams (Colts leading scorer) crossed the line in a time of 1:28.12. Second place went to Wolmer’s in a time of 1:28.20 and third to Calabar in a time of 1:28.89.
In Class 4 - the team of Marvin Patterson, Dusean Grant, Jevaughn Powell and Ra’John Gray won with a time of 1.36.36 well ahead of St. Jago 1:40.39 and Cornwall College 1.:41.43
In their sole win for the day (having being disqualified in the Class 1 4X100) Calabar established a new meet record 7:31.71 in the 4X800. JC was second in a time of 7:32.18 and KC third with a time of 7:34.78.
In the 4X400 curtain closer, KC brought the house down with a convincing win. With a time of 3:10:99, the team from North Street comprising - Tarees Rhoden (Captain) Jevaughn Powell Kobe Simpson and Karim Murray stamped their dominance on 2019 Gibson Relays with what some persons touted as the biggest upset of the meet. Holmwood Technical was second in a time of 3:12.36 and the overwhelming favourite Calabar was way back in third with a time of 3:13.65.
In the Class 1 Long Jump earlier in the day, Wayne Pinnock gave a show-stopping performance with a winning leap of 8.14M on his second attempt. Although his jump was well over the meet record of 7.95M, the mark was illegal as he was assisted by a wind speed of 3.9mps, well over the allowable limit therefore it was not treated as a record. With that jump, Pinnock has become the first school boy to jump beyond the 8M mark. Pinnock’s teammate, Shakwon Coke, placed second among the school boys (Class 1 Long Jump was an open event)
KC also had good showing in the High Jump and the Pole Vault competitions.
After such an excellent dress rehearsal at The Gibson Relays, hope has been rekindled and there is that sense of active optimism that Fortune will favor The Braves of North Street come March 26 -30.
Editor’s Note – At the recently concluded Digicel/Anthrick Corporate Area Meet, KC dethroned the defending Champion, Calabar, amassing 461 points. Calabar was second with 363 points and JC third on 342