KC, Edwin Allen High poised for success at ISSA/GraceKennedy Champs ’24
The stage is set for the 2024 ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), with defending champions Kingston College (KC) and former girls’ winners Edwin Allen High emerging as the overwhelming favorites to clinch victory at the prestigious event.
The five-day meet runs off on Tuesday, and culminates on Saturday inside Kingston’s National Stadium.
Title sponsors GraceKennedy have generously contributed $178 million to this year’s championship, enhancing the excitement surrounding the 113th staging of the competition. Additionally, schools stand to benefit from substantial rewards, with GraceKennedy offering a remarkable $202,000 for any athlete who breaks a 200-meter record.
A total of 88 events will be contested, featuring 101 boys' and 97 girls' schools, along with over 100 overseas athletes representing teams from the Caribbean, Great Britain, and Africa. Notably, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the merging of the boys' and girls' championships, commemorated by a special mixed relay event.
Kingston College seeks a 35th title overall
Kingston College, coached by Leaford Grant, aims to secure their third consecutive victory and claim their 35th title overall. Meanwhile, Edwin Allen High, under the guidance of Michael Dyke, seeks to clinch their 10th girls’ title and regain their status as champions after narrowly missing out to Hydel High last year.
Grant anticipates stiff competition from former champions Jamaica College (JC) and Calabar High, while Dyke exudes confidence in his team's ability to bounce back from previous setbacks and reclaim the top spot. With projections suggesting KC and JC as the top contenders, the stage is set for an intense battle over the five-day event.
The competition kicks off with preliminary rounds today, featuring various track and field events, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating showcase of talent and determination. As thousands of fans eagerly await the action, all eyes will be on Kingston College and Edwin Allen High as they seek to dominate the Champs '24.
