Sizzling Class I boys’ 4x100 expected at Gibson/McCook Relays

The large crowd expected at this Saturday's Gibson/McCook Relays will be in for a special treat for one of the Championship events, the Class I boys' 4x100 metres, as it should be very hot, with Kingston College (KC), Jamaica College (JC) and St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) bringing the house down spectacularly.

Most athletes are near peak form with less than six weeks before the big dance, the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships (Champs), and it will be bragging rights for the teams as they seek psychological advantage in what could be the final clash before.

Fast times have been recorded so far over the 100 and 200 metres in Class I and last Saturday at the SW Isaac Henry Invitational meet inside the National Stadium, this was evident in the 200 metres, with Malique Band Smith, Jaiden Reid and Hector Benjamin of JC at the top of their game. KC, led by Emmanuel Rwotomiya, Adrian Kerr, Amol Glassgow and Marchino Rose, were not far behind.

At the weekend also, at Western Championships, STETHS' Javorne Dunkley, Jashuan Dennis and Shamer Blake impressed, setting the stage for a special moment at Gibson/McCook Relays.

KC's World Under-20 men's 100 metres champion and national junior record holder, Bouwahjgie Nkrumie, was very easy in his season opener, clocking 10.30 seconds. He will lead the charge for their third title since 2016, after winning in 2017 and 2020.

KC have the leading time going into the Gibson/McCook Relays and could go all the way after clocking a season best of 40.80 seconds two weeks ago in Trinidad and Tobago with the quartet of Nkrumie, Yourie Lawrence-Clarke, Nicholas Francis and Marvin Patterson. They also have Kerr, Rwotomiya, Rose and Glasgow to choose from, which makes them very formidable.

JC, like KC, have two wins in the event since 2016 after being victorious that year and in 2018. They also have a solid group to choose from, with Christopher Scott and Dwight Downer in fantastic form in the 100 metres at the Wint McKenley meet several weeks ago at Calabar High School.

STETHS' sprinters, although not being successful in the event over the years, are also on top of their game, as shown last weekend at Western Championships. They could play a spoiler role, as they are highly motivated to do well after the recent passing of long-time coach Eldemire Smith.

This event is worth going miles to see, and although looking unlikely to trouble Calabar's meet record of 39.32 seconds set in 2015, a sub-40 second is on the cards.