BOYS CHAMPS 2024
The 2024 Boys championships will continue to feature the usual top three contenders, Kingston College, Jamaica College and Calabar High school. But these championships are not just about the main contenders. The majority of schools will continue to make their mark on these championships by featuring individual athletes in the various classes.
This year has been marred by the many injuries to the athletes who were expected to play a starring role at these championships. Based on the uncertainties due to injuries as well as the unexpected weaknesses that the top teams have shown in specific events and classes, the final position of the top three teams are not as predictable as expected.
THE TOP FOUR SCHOOLS
Kingston College – 324 points
Defending champions Kingston College (KC) are favoured to successfully defend their title, but unlike previous years, they seem to be vulnerable in critical areas. Usually KC would be dominant in class III, but this year things have changed. Their main rivals JC and C’Bar seem to be on par with them as far as scoring in class III is concerned.
The major surprise however is KC’s weakness in the throwing events. This year, they will be outscored by their main rivals, and also by schools like Clarendon College and Munro College who have revived their throwing programs.
But Kingston College has a deep squad and will score heavily in the jumps, sprints and hurdles and should have enough fire power to defend their crown.
Jamaica College – 299 points
This is the year when fans would be expecting Jamaica College (JC) to challenge a vulnerable KC for the title. But JC continues to be vulnerable in the hurdling events and seem to be now struggling in the sprints as well as the class II events. JC’s team is top heavy and their strength lies in Class I and in the Open events. Their all-conquering middle-distance teams will outscore their rivals, but this may not be enough to win the boys champs trophy.
Although they have high hopes of winning the boys champs title, they need to be wary of a resurgent Calabar team that could relegate them to third place.
Calabar High – 291 points
At the beginning of the season, Calabar was expected to place third at these championships, and this may still be the case. But during the last few weeks, there has been a resurgence in the Calabar team. Even though Calabar has quite a few weaknesses, they have an outside chance of upsetting the favourites for the coveted title.
Calabar is quite weak in the distance events, and their class one team is also weak in a number of events. But they are expected to be dominant in class two and hope that this will be enough to seriously challenge their main rivals.
St. Jago – 142 points
St. Jago will not threaten the top three teams, but they will certainly make their mark especially in class three. They are weak in classes one and two and they will not score many points on the field in the upper classes. But with Marquis Page leading the way in the class three sprints and hurdles, they should outscore all other teams in that class.
However, they should not expect to easily hold on to the 4th spot that is usually theirs, because a revitalized Excelsior team will be hot on their heels.
THOSE OTHER SCHOOLS
Excelsior – Looking to challenge St. Jago for the 4th spot, Excelsior will depend on Daniel Wright, Richard Hall, Malik Nugent and Demarco Bennett for the majority of their scoring
Wolmers – Class one sprinter Gary Card and class three sprinter Mario Ross will dominate at champs in the short sprints.
Munro and Clarendon College – In the class two throws, Javontae Smith (Munro) and Joseph Salmon (Clarendon) will dominate the Discus and Shotput events, while in class One, Chad Hendricks and Devonte Edwards (Munro) will score valuable points for their school.
INJURIES AND UNCERTAINTIES
Injuries have affected a number of top athletes and this could certainly cause problems for the contending schools. In fact, it is quite possible that a number of last year’s boys champs stars will not face the starter this year. The class One sprints will be greatly affected without its main stars being able to report at 100 percent.
Deandre Dailey (Class I sprints Herbert Morrison) – He was expected to be the star this year. Last year he ran 10.08 and was expected to be the second Jamaican junior to run below 10 seconds for the 100m. But he has had a terrible season so far, not even being able to medal at western champs. His status is still a mystery.
Taj Marquis White (Class I sprints KC) – The athlete called Turbo dominated class II last year and was expected to do the same in class I. But injuries have been a major concern for him this year and he has not competed in any major events.
Hector Benjamin (Class I sprints JC) – He has the fastest class I time this year, but his recovery from injuries have been slow. He did not even make the 100m finals at the carifta trials.
Tremaine Todd (Class I sprints STETHS)– Last year’s class II silver medallist and U17 carifta champion in the 100m fell to the track at the carifta trials and is doubtful if he will be at this year’s champs.
Marquis Paige (Class III sprints and Hurdles St. Jago) – Rumours of a broken toe abound. Will he be ready to defend his class III 100m hurdles Title and dominate the 100m?
THE NEW CLASS II SPRINT STARS
The class one sprints will be greatly affected by injuries to the top stars, but the class two sprinters will certainly put on a show with quality performances.
Nickecoy Bramwell (Calabar) – Bramwell ran could be the top sprinter in this class. He is undefeated this year in the 200m and 400m events.
Ramaldo Smythe (Muschett) – He has the fastest 200m time in this class and even placed second in the U20 category of the carifta trials, competing against the older class one boys.
Nyron Wade (Kingston College) – Last year’s silver medallist in the 200m expects to be a major threat to win the sprint double. But competition is fierce in both the 100m and 200m events.
Malik Nugent (XLCR) – Nugent defeated 100m favourite Wade at Corporate champs but lost to him at the carifta trials.
Tavaine Stewart (Herbert Morrison) – Stewart won the 100m title in class three, two years ago. This year, he won the western champs title defeating Smythe.
Jabari Matheson (William Knibb) – The western champs winner in the 400m has run below 48 second and expects to be a serious challenger for the 400m crown.
Dimarco Bennett (XLCR) – The corporate champs winner is the third class two athlete to run below 48 seconds. He is also the favourite in the 400m hurdles event.
Written by Oliver Harris
