Raymond Graham, STAR Writer

Holmwood's Kedisha Dallas (left) and Antonika Drummond. - file photos

THE 100th staging of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships will take centre stage for four days starting tomorrow, as the island's leading high-school athletes compete in what has become known as the best age group track and field championships in the world.

This year's meet marks the 100th staging of Boys' Champion-ships as the girls came on board much later. While competition among the boys from the island's high schools started way back in 1910, an athletics championships for girls only began officially 53 years ago. The two championships were merged in 1999.

give their best

With several schools aiming to display their best performances for this historic meet the competition is expected to be very hot during all four days of the prestigious meet.

Defending champions Kingston College are the early favourites for the boys' crown while many experts have predicted that Edwin Allen High will dethrone seven-time winners Holmwood Technical to earn their first title.

Holmwood who have produced several quality athletes in the past ten years will be seeking their eighth straight title.

Despite their dominance last year (they beat Edwin Allen by 197.5 points) the Christiana-based Holmwood lost eleven members of their Class One team and have been having a lukewarm season so far.

At the Central Championships two weeks ago they finished third, behind winners Edwin Allen and St Jago. Head coach Maurice Wilson stated in an interview over the weekend that he is not worried about the threat from Edwin Allen and is confident of victory. The defending champions will be hoping that their powerful Class Two team led by sprinters Diana Johnson, Kedeisha Dallas and Antonika Drummond along with 400 and 800 metres specialist, Chris-Ann Gordon and Gleneive Grange, in the throws, will give them most of their points.

strong all-round team

Central champions Edwin Allen have a strong all-round team and come Saturday night,coach Michael Dyke could walk away with his first victory as they have shown all season that it is their title to lose. They should score heavily in Class One and the open events with the Tracey sisters, Nikita and Ristannana expected to set the pace in the 100 metres hurdles, 400 metres hurdles and 800 metres along with Mackola Joseph and Sharlene Nickle in the 1500 metres.

While it looks a straight duel between Holmwood and Edwin Allen for top spot, the likes of Vere Technical, Manchester High, Herbert Morrison Comprehensive and a rejuvinated St Jago High with their strong Class Four and middle-distance team should make the championships very interesting.

It will be very close again for the boys' title. KC defeated Calabar by a narrow 1.5 points last year and will be hoping to repeat. The top two will also face strong competition from Wolmer's Boys, Jamaica College, Munro College and St. Jago High.

KC, coached by Michael Russell, have a good all-round team and will pick up points in all areas while the Michael Clarke-coached Calabar are very strong in the throws as their team includes Traves Smikle, the World Youth Championships bronze medallist and his teammate, Chad Wright, both are expected to finish one-two in the Class One discus. The Heroes Circle-based Wolmer's Boys were quietly whispered in some quarters as contenders for their first title since 1956 but they could be found wanting in the throws and in the middle distances. Wolmer's are, however, expected to lead on the opening day as they could finish one-two in the Class One boys long jump final where Kamal Fuller and Ramone Bailey are expected to score heavily. Bailey is the defending champion. Tomorrow 's action starts at 8:15 a.m with first event, the 110 metres hurdles in the boys' heptathlon. Four finals are down to be contested, three among the girls and one among the boys. The girls' finals are the triple jump open, discus Class One and Three. The boys' Class One long jump will conclude the opening day's finals.

Edwin Allen's Ristananna Tracey