Despite starting the day in third position, 26 time champions Calabar, which has now won their fifth straight title - their longest ever winning streak, overpowered their rivals in a relentless attack.
It was a gallant team effort as the boys showed grit and heart and support for each other on and off the track as they performed their Utmost for the Highest. It is believed in some quarters that the spirit soared after Class 3’s Rivaldo Marshall and Kevroy Venson ran the 1500m in fine style; leaving the stadium wondering what the two athletes were talking about as they seemed to be having a heck of a conversation while comfortably leading the pack of runners to a 1, 2 victory. The Captain, Fabian Hewitt also had a closed meeting with his team after which, as Andre Lowe of the Sunday Gleaner dated March 20 puts it, they strangled the life out of their rivals!!!
Christopher Taylor and his team-mate Dejour Russel shone in Class two. Christopher broke the record at 20.80 seconds in heat one of the boys class two 200 meter semi-finals. The record (20.89) was previously held by past Calabar star athlete, Ramone Mckenzie. Christopher also clocked 46.33 in the 400m heat. He went on to win gold in the finals of the 200m, 400m and 4x100m relays. Dejour Russel won the 110 hurdles, equaling Michael Ohara’s 13.45 seconds. He copped Silver in the 200m and was part of the winning 4x100m team. He was also crowned Champion Boy of Class Two after accumulating 23 points.
In class one, Seanie Selvin and his teammate Tyrone Bryan placed first and second in the 110 hurdles respectively. Other honourable mention on track is: Michael Stephens, first in 100m sprints Class Two; Xavier Angus, second in the Class One 200m sprints; Brandon Heath second in Class Three 400m final; Javon- Taye Williams second in 1500m Class One; Schavon Carr, second Class Three 100 m hurdles and Orlando Bennett, second 110 hurdles. Aykeem Francis placed third in Class One 400m dash, Anthony Carpenter, and LaFranze Campbell all did well in their respective events
Top notch athletes were shining in the field with Adrian Mitchell winning the Javelin open, Kyle Mitchell and Warren Barrett taking first and second in Shotput. Warren also placed third in discuss throw. Akeem Green got silver medal in discuss Class Two and Andrew Betton was second in high jump Class Two while Lamar Reid placed third in high jump Class Three. Others, both on the track and on the field the contributed valuable points to seal the win.
In a memorable blockbuster showdown, Christopher Taylor anchored the 4x400 m and outsprinted KC’s wonder boy Akeem Bloomfield to bring the curtains down on Champs 2016. Calabar’s stellar team effort closed on 287.5 points ahead of Kingston College 250 and Jamaica College, 227.5
Congratulations to Coach Michael Clarke, Mrs. Andrea Hardware and their coaching and management teams for a job well done. #fivedis