IT’S BACK TO BUSINESS for Set E.
So much for that battle for Waterford as Set E easily ended rivals Set B’s brief one-year reign to return to the top of Combermere’s inter-house sports, having beaten their closest competitors by almost 100 points at the Waterford grounds yesterday.
Led by victor ludorum Nathan Fergusson, and his female counterpart Akeila Knight, Set E recaptured a crown they lost last year by amassing 968 points – 89 more than the one-hit wonders, who had to settle for second yet again.
It was the fourth time in five years Set B finished as bridesmaids after also coming second best to Set E as recently as two years ago. Set A, champions in 2011, were third with 623 points while Set D (608), Set F (459) and Set C (451) ended fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
There was a glimmer of hope for Set B, though, with the defending champs starting the day holding a slim ten-point cushion before Ramarco Thompson provided yet another of his highlight-reel performances.
But the CARIFTA medallist was upstaged this time as the day’s biggest honour went to Fergusson, who had a meet-best 114 points in Division 3 after stunningly winning the 100 (12.41 seconds), 200, 400 (1:00.50), 800 (2:43.00), 1500 (5:48.01), 3000, high jump, long jump, triple jump, discus and javelin.
Such was his tour-de-force effort that Set E overtook the champs well before lunch, all while Knight had a similarly dominant outing in the Division I by winning the 100 (12.78), 200 (27.21), 400 (1:00:84), 800 (2:40:00), 1500 (6:28:00) and 3000 (13:06:00).
And this was following a second-place showing in the discus and a bronze medal throw in the shot put that gave her 79 points for the meet.
Set B were probably unfortunate not to have challenged for a lot longer, having lost crucial points in the Division 2 girls category when victrix ludorum favourite Krystal Greaves pulled up hurt while leading the 200.
To make matters worse, her injury only further cemented Set E’s position as eventual Division 2 queen Shakira Barrow went on to win that event after already taking the 800 (2:56.00), 1500 (6:43.00), 3000 (15:35.00) and long jump (4.24).
All eyes were still on Thompson, though, especially after Shemar Goodridge looked a menacing threat while passing him midway through what promised to be a riveting 400 thriller.
But that lead, just like Set B’s, proved short-lived as Thompson motored past Goodridge (52.68) in the home stretch to win the race (50.72) comfortably.
He was also challenged briefly by Tre Adamson in the ensuing 100 before also holding off his Set A rival in a winning time of 11.00 seconds.
Thompson then capped his individual feats with victory in the 200 after already winning the high jump (1.90) and javelin (40.24). At least Set B could look to the future with hope following the standout performance of Division 4 queen Misha Nelson, who won the 100 (13.69), 200, 400 (1:13:11), 1500, long jump and shot put.
