The Gibson relays are back, however with a different format. Due to covid restrictions, the races will all
be finals, and the teams in the finals have been selected by the Gibson relay committee, based on last
year’s champs results. So teams that are doing well this year, might not be selected
if they dropped the
baton or did not make the finals last year.
St. Elizabeth Technical’s 4 X 100M class two male team. They were not selected, because last
year’s class II team false started at champs. But Steths won the class III relay at champs last year
and those boys are now in class II and would naturally be expected to be one of the top
contenders for the title. When one remembers how STETHS dominated the sprints in all classes
at champs last year, this has to be considered a travesty.
However, if teams do not turn up or cancel at the last minute, these non-selected teams may get the a chance to compete.
Boys 4 X 100M
Class I
The injury to St. Jago top sprinter Gregory Prince will seriously affect the performance of the St. Jago
sprint team, and the boys champs gold medalist will struggle to compete against the top teams like
Kingston College, Jamaica College, St. Elizabeth Tech, St. Catherine and Edwin Allen. Christopher Scott of
Jamaica college and Uri Lawrence of Kingston College are back from their injuries last year and both are
still struggling to find form, but both colleges have deep squads and will not be seriously affected. Edwin
Allen and St Catherine are serious contenders in this event, with Bryan Levell and Sandrey Davidson
being the two top sprinters in the class. But their supporting cast will have to step up to challenge for a top three spot.
- St. Elizabeth Tech
- Kingston College
- Jamaica College
- Edwin Allen
- Calabar
- St. Catherine
- St. Jago
- Wolmers
Class II
Kingston College has the best all round team in this event, with Dushaun Grant, Tahj-Marques White,
Marvin Patterson, Aaron Thomas and Jordan Mowatt. But Jamaica College has the class two
outstanding sprinter in Mark Anthony-Miller whose performance might be good enough to win gold for
the JC team.
Hopefully the STETHS class II team will be allowed to compete in this event. Their dominance at last
year’s champs would make them worthy challengers for a medal.
- Kingston College
- Jamaica College
- St. Elizabeth
- Calabar
- St. Jago
- Camperdown
- Wolmers
- Excelsior
Class III
The top sprinter in the class is Calabar’s Nickecoy Bramwell of Calabar. But the Calabar squad may not
be deep enough to challenge Kingston College, the overwhelming favorite in the event. St. Jago and
Jamaica College both have competitive squads, but they will not be able to challenge the boys from
North Street, with Nyrone Wade, Taj-Oniel Gordon and Dyshon Salmon all ranked in the top 10 in the
class III sprints.
- Kingston College
- Calabar
- St. Jago
- Jamaica College
- Vere Tech
- Wolmers
- St. Catherine
Class IV
Not much is known about the class IV boys, but history tells us that the traditional top schools will
dominate this event.
- Kingston College
- Calabar
- Jamaica College
- St. Jago
- Wolmers
- St. Elizabeth
- Excelsior
Medley Relay
We have no clue as to the runners who will run the Medley relay. But assuming the teams will allow
their Boys champs medley team to run, the teams deep in middle distance talent will prevail.
- Jamaica College
- Kingston College
- Calabar
- St. Jago
- Excelsior
- Camperdown
- Wolmers
4 X 800M
The top schools in this event are Kingston College, Jamaica College, St. Jago and Calabar.
Jamaica College is the overwhelming favorite, with the most dominant quartet of high school 800M
runners ever to grace the track at the national stadium. In Jvoughn Blake and Handal Roban, they have
two runners who have run below 1:50. Kemarrio Bygrave and Omarion Davis are also top half milers
and this dream squad seems set to break both Gibson and Penn relays records.
The Kingston College team may not be as dominant, but the Henry twins are outstanding competitors.
They will not back away from this challenge. St Jago, with Taffari Hinds, Corlando Chambers and Alex Taylor
- Jamaica College
- Kingston College
- St. Jago
- Calabar
- St. Elizabeth
4 X 200M (All Classes)
The top male teams will not use their best talent for these races and therefore these races are hard to
predict. As is expected, Kingston College and Jamaica College should dominate these events, with their
deep squads. But other teams may see their chance of winning a medal and concentrate their efforts in
these events.
4 X 400M
Kingston College with Emmanuel Rwotomiya, Antonio Forbes and Marcinho Rose are expected to
challenge Jamaica College for the mile relay title. But Jamaica College is so deep in quarter mile talent,
that they will not be forced to use Mark Anthony-Miller who ran sub 48 last year. Top quarter miler
Deandre Watkins is back from the injury that kept him out of last year’s champs and with Jaden Brown,
Handal Roban, Malique Smith-Band and Jaiden Reid, should form a fearsome quartet.
Excelsior is the dark horse in this event, with top quarter milers Ruel Campbell and Malachi Johnson
expecting to challenge the favorites.
- Jamaica College
- Kingston College
- Excelsior
- Calabar
- St. Elizabeth
- Edwin Allen
- St. Jago
written by Oliver Harris
