With fierce competition on display and the energy of over 1,300 young athletes lighting up the National Stadium, St Elizabeth surged ahead on Day 1 of the 40th JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championship.
St Elizabeth closed the curtains on Friday’s opening day with 52.83 points. Portland followed with 44.5 points while St Catherine rounded out the top three with 30.83 points, setting the stage for a closely contested final day on Saturday.
The 2023 title holders closed the curtains on Friday’s opening day with 52.83 points. Portland followed with 44.5 points while St Catherine rounded out the top three with 30.83 points, setting the stage for a closely contested final day on Saturday.
This year’s 40th JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championship is an extra special event, with Olympian and event alum Veronica Campbell Brown returning to the event as patron. Held over two days, it features Jamaica’s top student-athletes from primary, all-age, and junior high schools across four age groups. This is where it all began for Veronica Campbell Brown, so she’s happy to be able to return and support the athletes.
Standout performances lit up the track and field as several young athletes achieved personal bests at the championships. Some of the highlights included the following:
Marnika Coke of St Elizabeth impressed with a time of 4:13.49 in the 1200m Girls Open U15 Heat 1.
Theokane Hines of Westmoreland soared to a personal best of 1.40m in the Boys Open Senior High Jump Final.
Natalia Haughton of St Catherine delivered a strong finish in the 150m Girls U9 Heat 4, clocking a personal best of 24.41 seconds.
Daniel Baugh of St Andrew posted a personal best of 23.06 seconds in the 150m Boys U9 Heat 4.
Andre James, sports coordinator for St Elizabeth expressed that he is looking forward to day 2.
“When we won in 2023, we were also leading on day 1. Our chances of taking home the title is very strong because we are in a number of finals and once we execute, we should be able to get enough points to maintain the lead,” James said.
Sagicor Foundation has supported the Championship with a contribution of $12 million. This is on top of their previous donations which pushed their investment over $100 million. The event helps identify and nurture Jamaica’s next generation of athletic talent, and an estimated 75% of Jamaica’s national athletes started their journey at the Championship.
What did Nicole Campbell Robinson have to say about the 40th anniversary of the JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships?
“This championship is a celebration of possibility. For 40 years, it has helped to shape the future of Jamaican athletics by giving young athletes the stage to discover their potential. Sagicor is honoured to walk alongside them in that journey,” she said.
The 40th JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championship continues on Saturday, June 21, when finalists in sprint and field events will compete for the coveted title of Parish Champion. St Elizabeth currently has the lead and will aim to dethrone the defending champions, St Thomas.
