THE INTERMITTENT SHOWERS did not rain on Foundation’s parade.
Not yesterday, at least, as the defending Inter-Alumni Athletic Championships winners were well on course for a repeat after leading their closest rivals by 29 points up to press time at the National Stadium.
It proved the high point to an otherwise low-key meet that was dampened somewhat by a small spectator turnout and intermittent showers.
Yet, the showers did little to douse the action on the track, with each of the 184 athletes braving the conditions to produce keen competition in the events.
But if the races were close, the overall standings certainly weren’t, as Foundation racked up 109 points by lunch after moving to the top of the men’s standings ahead of Princess Margaret (41).
Not that their girls were any slouches either, considering they were tied with St Leonard’s Girls in second place with 52 points – just four adrift of early leaders Parkinson.
Foundation were probably surprised not to be leading those standings too by lunch following their domination of the Women’s Under-30 category behind Rochelle Browne and Robyn Haynes.
Browne won the 400 metres (1:01.48) and 1 500 metres (5:50.94) with Haynes finishing just one spot behind on both occasions to give the Church Hill team a dynamic duo in that division.
However, Parkinson were able to counter with their own one-two punch of Cheryl Edwards and Marion Johnson-Hurley. The latter took the Women’s 50-54 400 in 1:16.93 before Edwards accounted for both the 400 (1:19.69) and 1 500 (5:52.26).
The school’s success wasn’t limited to the track, though, as Arthur Lewis (26.93 metres), Norman Jones (2.20) and Roger Sparrock (2.35) took the 65-69 discus, Under-30s standing broad jump and the 30-39 standing broad jump, respectively.
Earlier, star distance runner Jerome Blackett, competing for St James Secondary (now Frederick Smith), predictably ran away with the Men’s Under-30 1 500 metres after clocking 4:32.74. (JM)
