Edwin Allen girls will not be denied
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Sushana Johnson (left) of Edwin Allen High wins a heat of the Class One 800 metres at the 2026 Camperdown Classics, staged at Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College, on Saturday, February 14.
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Edwin Allen High’s team captain, Briana Morris (left), and vice captain Kelly Ann Carr at the school’s playing field on January 20.
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Tashana Godfrey of Edwin Allen High, winner of the Class Three 80 metres hurdles at the Central Hurdles, Relays and Field events meet at GC Foster College on January 24. Godfrey won in 11.16 seconds.
WHEN the final points standings for the girls are concluded on Saturday, March 28 at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships, it should be a comprehensive win for the Michael Dyke-coached Edwin Allen High team from Frankfield, Clarendon, as they look set to beat their nearest rivals by more than 100 points and claim their 11th overall title.
They look set to blow away their rivals in classes Three and Four and are projected to finish with a whopping 348 points. Defending champions Hydel High and former champions Holmwood Technical will be in a see-saw battle for second. The Corey Bennett-coached 2025 champions should end on 211 points for second, just edging out the Dave Anderson-coached Holmwood who are predicted to finish third on 200 points. After a gallant effort, Immaculate Conception High with 177, should take fourth place with former champions St Jago High closing out the top five on 103.
After entering the championships a year ago as big favourites to win their 11th title, Edwin Allen were denied by Hydel, who showed a lot of guts and determination, taking advantage of the several casualties and mishaps suffered by the Edwin Allen team.
Their biggest setback came on the opening day of the championships when the overwhelming favourite, Andriana Pine, who was a cinch to win the Class Four sprint double and give her team 18 solid points, was injured in the preliminary round of the 100 metres and took no part in the rest of the championships
There were numerous other mishaps on the track and in the field as once again Edwin Allen lost another close championships.
This time around, however, all indications are pointing to a landslide victory as they look set to score more than 60 points in Class Four. The outstanding Monique Bogle is expected to lead the charge with double victories in the 100 and 200 metres, where she leads both events with times of 11.94 seconds and 25.06. Her teammates Santwae Green in the 100m and 70m hurdles, and Niesha Campbell in the 200m and long jump, also look set to score quality points.
Edwin Allen are projected to score most of their points in Class Three with a tally of 102 points, doubling nearest rivals Holmwood by more than 50 points. Holmwood are expected to score 50 points in the class.
The likes of Tashana Godfrey in the 200m and 80m hurdles, where she will defend her title, along with Daniela Clarke in the 80m hurdles and 100m, Dashinielle Clarke in the long jump, Pine in the 100m and 200m, defending champion Aneka Lowe in the 800m, and Romean Gray in both the 800m and 1500m are all expected to score heavily here.
Edwin Allen, despite the presence of the outstanding Kevongaye Fowler in the 800m and 1500m in Class Two, along with sprinter Kereille Etienne in the sprints, will be outscored by Hydel in this class, where they are projected to pick up 49 points to Hydel’s 56.
However, with the likes of Sushana Johnson and skipper Brianna Morris in the middle and long distances, Alexxe Henry and Reneica Edwards in the Class One sprints, along with defending 400m hurdles champion Kelly Ann Carr and Marria Crossfield in the intermediate hurdles, Edwin Allen will get back on track in Class One and the open events, scoring 66 points in the former and 70 in the latter.
The defending champions Hydel, with the likes of Sashana Johnson in the sprints, Dalila Fairweather in middle distance events, Zavien Bernard and Brandane Malcolm in the field will be competitive in Class Two. And in Class One Shemonique Hazle, Nastassia Fletcher, Rhianna Morgan, Aaliah Mullings and Sabrina Atkinson are expected to score well but they will be found wanting in the lower classes.
Known for their strength over the years in classes Three and Four Hydel have shown little or nothing in both classes all season at the various development meets and will struggle to score points across the board.
With their strong quarter-milers and middle-distance athletes doing well all season, Hydel should also be wary of a rejuvenated Holmwood who could steal second place here.
Known for their problems over the years at crucial points in close championship title bids, this time it will take something extra special from one of their main rivals to deny Edwin Allen.