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Dogfight for boys’ title - Edwin Allen set to reclaim girls’ crown

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Raymond Graham - STAR Writer
March 24, 2026
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Edwin ALlen High School’s track and field head coach Michael Dyke.
Edwin ALlen High School’s track and field head coach Michael Dyke.
Head coach of Kingston College’s track and field team Richard Smith.
Head coach of Kingston College’s track and field team Richard Smith.
Abigail Campbell of Hydel High School powers to victory in the Class One girls 400m final with a time of 53.03 seconds at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships on March 27, 2025. She was trailed by Abrina Wright of Holmwood Technical High School and KellyAnn Carr of Edwin Allen High School, who both crossed the line in 53.53 seconds, making it a thrilling photo finish for the silver medal.
Abigail Campbell of Hydel High School powers to victory in the Class One girls 400m final with a time of 53.03 seconds at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships on March 27, 2025. She was trailed by Abrina Wright of Holmwood Technical High School and KellyAnn Carr of Edwin Allen High School, who both crossed the line in 53.53 seconds, making it a thrilling photo finish for the silver medal.
Kingston College’s Brian Kiprop celebrates gold in the Class One boys’ 1500m final at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in St Andrew on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Kingston College’s Brian Kiprop celebrates gold in the Class One boys’ 1500m final at the ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in St Andrew on Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
Wolmer’s Girls’ School’s Natrece East (left) crosses the finish line ahead of Kimberly Wright of Immaculate Conception High School in the Class Three girls’ 200 metres final at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.
Wolmer’s Girls’ School’s Natrece East (left) crosses the finish line ahead of Kimberly Wright of Immaculate Conception High School in the Class Three girls’ 200 metres final at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships at the National Stadium.
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The biggest high-school track and field event in the world, the ISSA GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships gets under way today inside the National Stadium with its 116th staging.

Over 2,000 athletes from 100 schools will be in action over the next five days, with competition set to begin today at 9 a.m. with first-round action in the girls' Class Three 1500 metres.

The 1500m will be one of four track events on the opening day, where there will only be preliminary action, as no finals will be contested on today's programme. Other track events scheduled include the 400m, 100m, girls' Open 400m, boys' Class Two 400m hurdles and the boys' Class One 400m hurdles, which will close the day's proceedings at 6:55 p.m.

Field event action will start at 9:40 a.m. with first-round action in the boys' Class One long jump. Other field events down for action today are the girls' Class Two shot put, girls' Class Two long jump, and girls' Class One discus.

GIRLS CHAMPIONS

Hydel are the defending champions among the girls, after surprising favourites Edwin Allen last year, while Kingston College (KC) will defend their boys' title after making it four in a row.

Based on performances leading up to this year's championships, Edwin Allen are overwhelming favourites to return to winning ways and capture their 11th title.

Head coach Michael Dyke is oozing with confidence ahead of the meet.

"Yes, we are favourites, but we are not letting this get to us, as this will not be the first time we are starting as favourites," he said.

"I am very confident and so are the girls, and they want to do it for former hurdles coach Kirk Douglas and athlete Taneisha Gayle, a member of the winning sprint medley team last year, and this is added motivation for them," said Dyke.

DOGFIGHT

It is expected to be a dogfight among the boys, with rookie head coaches Richard Smith of KC and Duane Johnson of Jamaica College set for a titanic battle, as both coaches are confident ahead of the championships.

"Despite being at the helm for the first time, it means nothing as I have been in the system for a long time and have been part of winning teams. I feel very good, and the boys and the coaching staff have the same feeling," said Smith.

"We have a balanced team and we are ready to defend our title and make it five in a row," added Smith.

After a third-place finish last year, Johnson, now in his second year as head coach, is very confident about his team's chances of winning their 22nd title.

"Last year, we fell short, but this time around we have a more rounded team and we are very optimistic," he said.

"The boys have shown this season that they are ready, and we are extremely confident of pulling this one off. We are very strong in Class One and I think, here, we will have a big advantage in our chances of winning," said Johnson, whose boys are slight favourites going into the championships.

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