by Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Holmwood Technical's Salcia Slack competing in the Class One discus where she set a new mark of 45.13m. - file

Like many others, Holmwood High School's girls' team captain Salcia Slack was unaware up to yesterday morning that she is a national junior record holder.

On Saturday's final day of the GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls' Championships, Slack broke the national junior heptathlon record.

When contacted yesterday, Slack, who tallied 5,411 points to break Icolyn Kelly's 15-year-old record of 5,290, which she did while representing Barton Country College in the American Junior College Championships, said "I did not know until this morning.

"When Mr. Chester McCarthy (team manager) told me, 'I asked ... really,' and he said yes. I felt so good, it was a joyful moment," added the 18-year-old student.

The mark, which came with victories in high jump (1.63m), shot put (10.89m), 200m (25.39), long jump (5.98m), 800m (2:20.93), javelin (39.48m) and second in the 100m hurdles (14.64), also accounted for Nadina Marsh, formerly of St. Jago, Champs record of 5,282 points.

"It was easy for me, I did not have any problems anywhere," Slack said.

"If I had the competition in the 800m I would have run faster, also in the 200m," she continued.

Overall, Slack, who won three gold medals, the triple jump with a leap of 13.23m, the discus with a record throw of 45.13m and the heptathlon with 5,411 points, said her second place finish in the long jump was her only disappointment.

"I was not satisfied with my long jump performance because when I threw the javelin I hurt my back and that affected me in the long jump," said Slack, who was voted overall champion.

"Apart from that, I am happy with my performances and the fact that Holmwood made it six straight," concluded the team's captain, who was also the Class One champion.