The top athletes and schools of the just concluded Barbados Secondary Schools Athletic Championship were rewarded for their achievements and performances in a record-breaking 2011 when a presentation ceremony was held at Queen’s College earlier this week.
Master of Ceremonies, the inimitable Mac Fingall, summed up the year when he pointed out that 29 records were established which reflected the success of the championship since records should not remain unbroken for more than 19 years.
It was difficult to determine who was beaming with the most pride, the sponsors, the physical education teachers and coaches, the athletes or their friends and families who attended the ceremony.
Some athletes were bubbling in the ‘Top 40’ with a perfect score in their divisions, with Cristanna McConney of QC scoring 40 in the Under-13 Girls’ as well as breaking records in the 100, 200 and long jump; Akela Jones of Springer was perfect in the Under-17 and she set a record in the long jump. Shamar Rock of Lester Vaughan was a force in the Under-17, while Under-20 Anthonio Mascoll of Ellerslie was in a class of his own, with records in the 800, 1500 and open 4×400.
Ellerslie were so dominant in the Under-20 Boys’ that they won that division with a massive 132 points. Girls’ champions Springer earned 128 points in the Under-20. The only girls division that Springer did not win was the Under-13, which QC took with 67 points.
Springer grabbed 106.5 in the Under-15 and 121 in the Under-17. Christ Church Foundation won the Under-13 Boys’ with 71.5 points; Harrison College’s 88 points gave them the Under-15 division, while QC boys took the Under-17 division with 97 points.
The athletes were not the only awardees on the evening as many of the officials were recognized for their sterling work. One coach is to be selected to attend the Carifta Games in Jamaica.
