THERE?IS?always a buzz when Combermere is doing well in sports.
In the last decade the cricketers have taken the honours but those of us who are old enough, would know that back in the day they were very strong in hockey and had several outstanding moments in football and track and field.
Even they would admit that they haven’t performed as well as they would have liked in the latter two in recent years.
However, there’s a birdie whispering that this is their best chance in many a year to win the boys section and be much more competitive in the girls’ in the Barbados Secondary Schools Athletics Championships, beginning today.
Word is that they have plenty of firepower in their arsenal this season particularly in the ranks of the senior boys and this is part of the reason there is increased enthusiasm in the camp and outside that they could be title contenders.
The acquisition of Shaquille Alleyne and Nicolai Gall has set tongues wagging while instilling a huge stack of confidence in the troops from Waterford. They seem to be battle ready and determined to win the boy’s championship.
Under-17 competitor Romarco Thompson is a true warrior and his duels with Mario Burke could be one of the highlights of the championships.
Well informed pundits suggest the Combermerians are heavy at the top but have some doubts about the support cast in the junior divisions and their strength in the field events as well. However, I was reliably informed by someone involved with their preparations that they have a full package.
For sure they won’t lack crowd support and I believe talk about a Combermerian revival is one of the main reasons why tickets for the five-day spectacle are in high demand but in short supply.
Of course, it is a given that defending champions Queen’s College are well aware of what is being said and this may only serve to make them go that extra mile in preparing to defend their crown.
Their main strategist, Brian Holder, is very good at what he does and I am certain he has already calculated where his points will come from and what it will take to repeat.
Like every other coach, though, he knows that it is the depth of your resources that can land you the big one.
In terms of strategizing, I think Harrison College coach Adrian Thorne is cut from the same cloth as Holder so I believe he knows what numbers he needs and where they will come from if they are going to reclaim the championship.
Every barn needs a field marshall to inspire the soldiers and I believe that the Harrisonians are blessed to have Burke playing that role manfully at the moment.
He is simply the most impressive local track competitor right now and he has the numbers to prove it.
At the Louis Lynch Championships he qualified for the 100 metres at the forthcoming CARIFTA Games in Bermuda with a 10.76 seconds clocking and made the grade for the 200 metres on Sunday by scorching the track in a time of 21.64 at the CARIFTA trials.
It is obvious Burke can’t do it alone but he can be the catalyst that helps his colleagues to raise the bar in their respective events.
St Leonards have been quietly gaining ground on some of the traditional forces in the last few years and it would be a naive person to discount their credentials for the title.
They bring balance in both track and field events and must have reviewed thoroughly what they need to do to enhance those areas that would have found them wanting in the homestretch. They are genuine contenders to go to the top of the class.
And what about the lads from St John? Just like Combermere, the Lodge boys are touted to have a grand revival this year. They let off some smoke at their house sports and the Barbados Relay Fair as a warning but are expected to send a bigger message of intent by setting a fire at school sports.
Former Foundation boy John Haynes seems to be their fire chief and his impressive victory in the 800 metres on Sunday is a yardstick of his general improvement.
Not only that, Lodge, by their own high standards, have experienced something of a drought in the past five years but the good thing for them is that they know what it’s like to win championships and have turned the fighting back concept into an art form.
A year ago, the Ellerslie so-called Blagga Boyz like Antonio Mascoll, Nicholas Deshong and Joshua Walcott had the Stadium in an uproar with their explosive running but they have moved on to other pastures so they will be less of a threat to the big boys this time around.
I will say the same for St Michael despite acquiring top school boy sprinter Deon Hope from Alexandra.
Levi Cadogan and Daley Carter should make their presence felt too but I don’t think the school will be anything more than spoilers as the big dogs howl for the biggest meal of all.
And who can unseat perennial girls’ champions Springer Memorial?
I am not sure any other school has yet acquired the numbers and the depth to beat them but they should expect that Queens College, St Michael and Combermere will be snapping at their heels so they shouldn’t expect any easy ride to the crown.
The new school year gave them talented juniors in Rosette Hoyte and Ronicha Sargeant; although appearing less than a 100 per cent fit this season, the gifted Tristan Evelyn should still be good enough to rule the Under-15s, but Queen’s have the duo triumvirate of Alan Ince, Tameka Jordan and Christianna McConney that will ensure a strong presence.
Springer could struggle in the Under-17 sprints but could make up the balance through someone like Jalisa Burrowes, who is still a capable sprinter in her own right but seems to be stronger in the long jump these days.
Star performer Akela Jones will shoulder the weight in the Under-20s in both track and field events. Jones is an important flag bearer in Springer’s quest to win again.
In form sprinter Leah Barker and Akela Taylor will be the leading lights for St Michael in their respective divisions while confident Combermere will have trailblazers in the steely Cindy Forde and recent imports in middle distance runner Shani Adams, who will also be doing the 400-metre hurdles and crack sprinter Shavonne Husbands.
The surprise athlete could be the previously unheralded Ariel “Action” Jackson from the Garrison Secondary.
She has shown noted improvement especially in the 400 metres.
I believe this is going to be one of the better years for the secondary school sports, measured by any standard.
Andi Thornhill is an award-winning freelance sports journalist.
