Records to tumble at National Schools’ Championships

Nov 12, 2014 Sports

– as nation’s top athletes go on show next week

What is certain is that Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground produces some of the fastest

FLASHBACK! Jevina Sampson and Natricia Hooper (centre left, right) battle at the National Schools’ Championships 2013 at the National Stadium.

times in local athletics outside of the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden. It will be no different when the 54th edition of the National Schools’ Championships is staged at Base Camp Ayangana, November 19-21 with records expected to fall by the wayside.
Several of Guyana’s top youth and junior athletes will be on show over three days of competition at the venue. Notably, three-time CARIFTA Games 1500m gold medalist, Cassey George will be looking to use the event to reintroduce herself to athletics at the schools’ level after an injury had her on the sidelines for most of this year.
The Upper Demerara/Kwakwani, District 10, athlete, who will be competing in the Under-16 age group will certainly eye impressive times in the 1500m and 3000m races upon her return to what will certainly be a competitive 2014 Championships.
East Coast’s trump card, Jason Yaw, who is also a CARIFTA Games bronze medalist in the 400 metres will be looking to exert his dominance from last year. Yaw will be competing in the 200m and 400m in the Under-18 category of the competition.
Continuing among the boys, Tevin Garraway and Kevin Abbensetts will renew a rivalry in the Under-20 marquee male 100m and 200m races. With Garraway representing District 3 that is West Demerara and Abbensetts competing for defending champions, North Georgetown, Julian Edmonds’ 10.6 seconds 100m record from 1992 could be under threat. In addition, the duo could make a run at Keith Roberts’ 2002; 22.0 record.
Among the girls, one of the most interesting showdowns is looming in the 200m and 400m events with Natricia Hooper of East Georgetown, Jevina Sampson representing North Georgetown, and Avon Samuels from the East Coast, expecting to clash in the U-18 category.
Deja Smartt is back, and will compete in the U-20 sprints for North Georgetown against rising star, South Georgetown’s Tasnica Lovell. These are just some of the athletes who are expected to provide enthusiasts with loads of excitement.