Shericka Jackson

Vere Technical sounded a clear warning to their rivals for the 4x400m relay crown with a stunning performance at last weekend's STETHS Invitational meet.

In the penultimate event of the day, the Shericka Jackson-led Vere, who have been unbeaten over the past season, sent a big message with an overwhelming victory, clocking 3:44.83 to get the better of Holmwood Technical.

After a fair start from Class III athlete Andretti Knight, it was Olivia James who gave them a slight lead on the second leg before the outstanding Jackson opened up the lead on the third, with Yanique McNeil taking them to the impressive win.

"We are very confident of continuing our dominance this season in the event and we want to run faster than we ran last year and we ran without Septima Chambers today," Jackson said.

There would be even more excitement for the large crowd on hand, in the final event of the day, the boy's 4x400 metres. The Neil Harrison-coached Munro, who were also dominant last year, were pushed to the limit by the Omar McLeod-led Manchester High.

A brilliant run

A brilliant run by McLeod, on the second leg, put his team in the lead, and it took outstanding runs from Kaniel Harrison on the third and Delano Williams on anchor legs to propel Munro to victory as they clocked a respectable 3:18.85.

In other events last year's boy's championships 400 metres hurdles finalist Jamie Demps gave his home fans a lot to cheer for with an outstanding performance in the 400 metres hurdles, as he raced to a fast 53.19 seconds to be the overall winner.

Demps set the tone for his teammates as athletes from the Santa Cruz institution gave good all-round performances. Quishain Parchment gave his school a quick double as he was tops in the Class I 400 metres with a best of 49.60 seconds. World Youth 100 metres champion Odail Todd, who won his heat easily in 50.20 seconds was second overall.

Despite heavy showers bringing the meet to a halt for about 20 minutes during the running of the Girl's Class 1 100 metres that did not hamper Vere Technical's Jackson who clocked the fastest time of the day in the event. The World Youth 200 metres silver medallist won in 11.80 seconds, as Keneisha Stephens of Herbert Morrison (12.00) and Sharnette Lewin of Edwin Allen (12.10) finished second and third respectively.