by Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

Holmwood's Bobby-Gaye Wilkins - file

Assistant female coach at Holmwood, Dave "Diego" Anderson, confessed that his usually strong Class One sprint team could struggle given the graduation of the big five from last year - Anastacia Le-Roy, Schillonie Calvert, Tanisha Blair, Deborah Rose and Vanessa Boyd. All five are now students of G.C. Foster College and in the case of Le-Roy, she has since made the successful move to senior participation with the national team, having gained silver as a member of the 4x400m team. She also will participate in the World Indoor Championship in Valencia, Spain this weekend.

Lot of the pressure

A lot of the pressure is likely to be borne by Audra Segree, who made the finals of both sprint events at the championship last year. Segree has since improved placing second in both 100m and 200m at Central Champs. The 4x100 sprint team, however, has maintained a top two placing all season behind Edwin Allen, albeit not being able to go below the 46-second barrier.

However, one athlete who should ease those Class One sprint fears is Bobby-Gaye Wilkins, the defending champion in the 400m and 800m. For a Class One athlete, Wilkins' body is far from imposing, but this little dynamite exudes charm, confidence and leadership. Her presence and performance will definitely drive the Holmwood team.

She is the lynchpin of the 4x400m Holmwood team that is tipped to carry on the tremendous tradition of having not lost this event in nine years, and whose individual members are also key to gather important points.

That 4x400 line-up includes Salcia Slack , last year's top performer, Andrea Reid who will compete in the flat 400m, and hurdles and Class Two sprint star Petra Fanty.

RECORD HOLDER

Despite winning the 800m at Central Champs and also running a 2:06 split in the 4x800 event at Western Relays, Wilkins has not been seen in the 400m event this season, but will run in this event at tomorrow's GC Foster Classics. But it must be remembered that she is the Pan Am Junior Champion and record holder.

Her best time of 51.72 earned at that championship in Brazil last July is just outside the championship record and she may just be biding her time to take that from her former outstanding teammate, Sonita Sutherland.