PURPLE House (Yellow) marched to a five-peat of championship triumphs at the annual Grantley Adams Memorial Inter-house Track and Field Championships with their latest conquest coming by more than 100 points at the National Stadium yesterday.
On a day lengthened by a late start – the meet finished after 4 p.m. – Purple House collected 406 points, 112 clear of Blue (294). Green were third with 197, Red fourth on 177 and Yellow at the back on 169.
The results at this stage are provisional with some of the field events still to be completed, but are unlikely to effect the top two places. School principal Dennis Browne told WEEKENDSPORT that preparation for other activities such as African Awareness Month, curtailed the field events programme that was scheduled to be held at the school.
No divisional champions were announced, but there can be no denying that Roneldo Rock of Johnson House (Yellow) was the most outstanding boy on show. The fifth form student, who hails from Paddock Rock, St. Michael, won the Under-17 Boys’ 400, 800 and 1 500 and took second places in the discus and 200 metres. He was fourth in the 100 metres.
If that was not enough, he made an impressive surge on the back stretch and raced past Jamal Tull of Purple House to win the day’s final event, the open boys 4×400 metres relay. Tull had a lead of about 20 metres but faded badly over the final stretch and was easily overtaken by the 15-year-old Rock.
“I am glad to have won the 400 but it is great to do the 800 and 1 500 double. The 1 500 is my best event and I will be seeking to make my mark there at Inter-School sports,” he said.
Purple House’s triumph was a team effort but Division 1 girl, Steffany Polius played a big part. Polius was queen of the 400 metres and took second spots in the 100 and 200 metres.
Diare McCollin, who celebrates his 12th birthday today, was the class of the Boys’ Under-13 division. The boy from Dash Valley, St. George, running for Johnson House (Yellow), made a sweep of the 100 (13.63 secs), 200 (28.54) and 400 (1:10.78), and was second in the 800.
Aliyah Cox of Byer House (Red) was far and away the best Under-15 girl. The 13-year-old from Parris Hill, St. Joseph, was first across the line in the 100 and 400 metres and was second in the 200.
Terrique Ward of Set C (Green), did the sprint double in the Boys’ Division 1 while in the girls equivalent, Rhea Inniss of Set A (Red), accomplished a similar feat. mikeking@nationnews.com
