Perennial champions Springer Memorial and Grantley Adams Memorial School showed their cross country prowess by smashing the field when the National Sports Council held an inaugural event at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex circuit yesterday.
The dominant Jade Searles briefly gave up the lead to Elizabeth Williams in the first of two laps before powering home in a time of 12.14 minutes with Williams finishing in 12.30. The third spot was taken by the consistent Tanisha Stanford with a time of 13.67 as Springer ended on 32 points thanks to placements of first (Searles), third (Stanford), fifth (Rosette Hoyte), 11th (Neviandra Greenidge) and 12th (Tricia Phillips).
Consistent performances by Parkinson earned them 75 points and the second spot ahead of The St Michael School, 82, Grantley Adams, 97, Christ Church Foundation, 100 and Alexandra, 157.
The absence of schools like Harrison College, Queen’s College, Combermere and The Lodge School was hardly noticed as the boys’ battle proved to be a thriller between Grantley Adams and Foundation with twins Akeem and Romario Marshall winning the cat and mouse tactics.
From early Pius Emillien grabbed the lead while being stalked and at times sandwiched by the Marshall twins with Foundation’s other threat Rio Williams remaining within striking range. Akeem waited until the final of the three laps to take over to win in 12.39 while pointing the way for his brother to snatch the second spot in 12.54.
Williams took the third place in 13.07 with Emillien ending fourth in 13.11. Grantley Adams earned 42 points from placings of first, second from the Marshall brothers, seventh (Jelani Layne), 11th (Ronaldo Rock) and 21st (Zidane Harewood).
Coleridge and Parry took the second spot with 80 points, Foundation on 92 were third followed by The St Michael School, 98, Alexandra, 176 and Parkinson Memorial, 178.
