St John’s College wins Zone Two
St John’s College managed to pull off a stunning victory at the Inter Schools Track Championships in Zone Two of the North Georgetown District ( Number 11) yesterday at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.
Zone Two proved to be the most competitive zone of so far and St John’s College with their athletic tradition managed to top the points standing with 486 points ahead of Christ Church Secondary. Second place finishers Christ Church were not far being with 449 points while Bishops’ High School (BHS) gave a valiant effort to secure third place with 419 points. Chase Academy placed fourth with 261 points while School of the Nations finished last with 204 points which they fought desperately to amass.
The event featured several national athletes, the majority of whom train at one of the country’s toughest clubs, the Running Brave Track Club. Leading the list of headliners, was South American Junior and Under 23 bronze medallist Stephon James who barely broke a sweat as he strolled to victories in the 100m, 200m, and 400m races. The former Charlestown Secondary School student made his North Zone debut now representing Chase Academy and it was clear that he was in a league of his own.
James jogged around the bend in the 200m to make the race interesting before unleashing his speed down the final straight to steal the first of two qualifying spots for Inter Zones in the 200m. BHS’s Darion Best took the second qualifying spot in the 200m while Akeem Green also from BHS took second in James’ pet event the 400m.
James’ other club-mates Jevina Sampson (Christ Church), Shoquan Daniels, Avon Samuels (Christ Church) and two-time CARIFTA gold medallist Jevina Straker also dominated in their respective events. Sampson, the reigning Inter Guiana Games 400m champion, won the girls Under 16 sprint events (100m, 200m and 400m) in commanding fashion, while her Under 14 counter Samuels did the same.
Sampson qualified ahead of Tishola Powers of Chase Academy in the 100m and 200m, while Shavona Paul of Christ Church earned the second qualifying spot in the 400m.
Samuels, a second form Christ Church student, brandished fluid technique and incredible speed to storm to victory in the girls U14 category, while St John’s College Cassidi Reynolds took second to qualify in the 100m and 400m, and Precious Quintin of Chase Academy in the 200m.
Though the performances were not timed, Samuels’ races were acknowledged by many as the most outstanding performances of the day. The tall and thin 13-year-oldimpressed the crowd with her graceful strides and effective knee lifts especially in the 400m which she dominated.
In the girls under 18 400m, Shoquan Daniels gapped her competition by more than 100m. Daniels also secured victories in the 100m and 200m to duplicate her twin sister’s performances in Zone one on Monday. Jevina Straker could not be left out of the action and comfortably won the Open 1500m.
Kadeem Blackman of Christ Church won the Boys Under 12 100m ahead of Christophe Archer, while St John’s Dequan Vancooten defeated Dwayne Nurse (Christ Church) to win the boys Under 16 100m. The Boys Under 18 100m was won by BHS Phillips Persaud who also won the 200m with an emphatic come from behind performance to shock Stephan Sankar of Chase Academy. Action in Zone Three is expected to take place next Thursday and Inter Zone Championships for North Georgetown will be held next Friday.
