By Adrian Frater, News Editor

Maurice Wilson, coach of Holmwood Technical female team - file

Western Bureau

With more than 100 clubs/institutions, high schools and prep/primary schools con-firmed for tomorrow's 29th staging of the Milo Western Relays, the unfinished Cath-erine Hall Stadium in Montego Bay, should be buzzing with excitement as the athletes seek to surpass last year's event, which yielded fourteen records.

"I strongly believe that this year will be our best year ever," said meet director Ray Harvey. "This is a World Championship year so I am expecting that all the athletes will be turning up in a positive frame of mind."

Like last year, 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, the undisputed fastest man on the planet; and his MVP Track Club teammate Sherone Simpson, who is currently laying claims to be the world's fastest woman, are the main attractions.

However, with other top athletes such as World Championship silver medallist Michael Frater, leading quarter-miler Jermaine Gonzalez, top hurdler Brigitte Foster-Hylton, and rising star Sonita Sutherland alongside the cream of the local high school circuit slated to grace the track, the excitement should be wide-spread.

"As usual, we will be coming down to Montego Bay to enjoy ourselves, and while we will not be bringing our Class One team, we will be at full strength in the other classes," said Lennox Graham, of Kingston College, whose team will be defending the 'Top Male Team' title. "We will also be looking forward to qualifying our 4x800m team for the Penn Relays."

Kingston College's bid to retain their 'Top Male Team' title is expected to come under serious challenge from the likes of Wolmer's, Herbert Morrison and Cornwall College, perennial contenders at the one day-championship, which has at-tracted a record $700,000 sponsorship from Milo this year.

While his school has lost a number of top athletes since last year's impressive showing, Holmwood's coach, the tactically astute Maurice Wilson still thinks his girls have what it takes to retain their 'Top Female Team' title, which they are defending for the fourth consecutive year.

"The team is not the same as last year, but based on our strong tradition at this event, I am expecting the girls to rise to the occasion," said Wilson. "I am expecting strong competition from the likes of Manchester, Vere Technical and St. Jago, but I think we are ready for the challenge."

In addition to the extra comfort the athletes will have on account of the 1,500 temporary seats recently erected at the facility, those who are successful will have a chance to take home a substantially improved incentive package this year.

( L - R ) Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson, Sonita Sutherland, Jermaine Gonzalez, Brigitte Foster-Hylton - file photos

The breakdown of cash incentives for this year reads as follow:

Most outstanding male team - $20,000

Most outstanding female team - $20,000

Most outstanding western female team - $10,000

Most outstanding western male team - $10,000.

"Milo has given us a larger sponsorship package this year," said Harvey, in reference to increase in sponsorship from last year's $500,000. "So we have decided to increase the incentive package to the outstanding athletes."