President’s College retain National Athletics Championship title

President’s College have been crowned champions of the National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships for the second consecutive year, fending off a fierce late challenge from Linden’s powerhouse schools.

The East Coast Demerara institution arrived at the National Track and Field Centre on Friday with a 50-point cushion, and while that lead was marginally reduced by a dominant afternoon from Mackenzie High and Christianburg Wismar Secondary (CWSS), PC’s superior depth across the 114 events proved decisive.

As the final relay crossed the line, the stands at West Coast Demerara erupted into chants of “Let’s go PC,” confirming a total tally of 275 points for the defending champions.

Mackenzie High School (230 points) and Christianburg Wismar Secondary (214 points) followed them in the top three.

Rounding out the top six were Mahaicony Secondary (108 points), Christ Church Secondary (79 points) and Charlestown Secondary (76 points).

While President’s College took the team trophy, the individual headlines belonged to Angel Jeffrey and Lamar Yaw, both of whom secured quadruple gold medals.

Jeffrey (CWSS) looked untouchable in the Under-17 category, completing a clean sweep of the 100m, 200m, and 400m before anchoring her school to 4x100m glory.

Her 200m victory in 25.11s was particularly clinical, finishing well ahead of Mahaicony’s Quinyla Burnett (25.82s). Jeffrey now turns her attention to the CARIFTA Games in Grenada next month.

Lamar Yaw (Mackenzie High) matched that feat in the Boys’ U17 division. Yaw’s versatility was on full display as he clocked 51.53s to take the 400m title ahead of Jadel Liverpool (51.91s), before returning to claim the 200m in 22.33s.

The blue-riband Under-20 events delivered the drama as in the Boys’ 200m, Skylar Charles of Vreed-En-Hoop Secondary powered to gold in 21.26s, beating out Dequan Farrell and 100m winner Onesi Dunn.

In the distance events, Mackenzie High’s Ebo McNeil produced a masterclass in the 5,000m, stopping the clock at 17:01.47 to win by a comfortable margin of over 40 seconds.

The championships concluded with a series of frantic 4x100m relays. While Christianburg Wismar dominated the girls’ categories—winning both the U15 and U17 titles—the Boys’ U20 final provided the photo finish of the night.

The Government Technical Institute (GTI) snatched gold in 44.37s, beating Mackenzie High by a mere 0.03 seconds in a lung-bursting sprint to the tape.

At the closing ceremony, Ministers Sonia Parag and Steven Jacobs applauded the athletes, teachers, and officials for a “job well done” and assured the student-athletes that the government is behind their development and will continue to offer tangible support.

Next year’s championships will be held at the new Bayroc National Stadium in Linden.

FULL RESULTS: https://vro.akf.mybluehost.me/TempoSports/Results/