MacKenzie High leads title charge as District 10’s schools dominate 4x100m relays

MacKenzie High School of District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) has seized control of the inaugural National Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships, surging to a commanding lead after two days of competition at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara.

With 171.5 points, MacKenzie High holds a 24.5-point advantage over President’s College (147 points) of District Four (East Coast Demerara).

Christianburg Wismar Secondary, also from District 10, sits in third with 117.33 points.

St. Ignatius Secondary (District Nine) and Mahaicony Secondary (District Four) round out the top five with 86 and 68 points, respectively, after 83 events.

This year’s revamped format emphasizes school performance. A national school champion will be crowned alongside the winning district.

MacKenzie High’s speed was on full display in the 4x100m relays. Their teams dominated, often running unchallenged after the first exchange.

They took home gold in the boys’ 10-13 (53.50s) and U-17 (45.03s) categories, while the Government Technical Institute won the U-20 (44.77s) race. President’s College won the boys’ U-15 (50.14s) relay.

In the girls’ 4x100m relays, Christianburg Wismar showcased their strength, winning the 10-13 (59.60s), U-15 (54.28s), and U-17 (53.89s) categories. MacKenzie High claimed the U-20 (53.11s) title.

Meanwhile, Afi Blair achieved his goal of defeating rival Kaidon Persaud in the boys’ under-20 400m final, clocking 48.82s. Kenetha Fraser of MacKenzie High won the girls’ under-20 400m (1:01.27s).

Dequan Farrel of MacKenzie High and Jada LaCruz of Waramuri won the boys’ (48.90s) and girls’ (1:02.45s) under-17 400m events, respectively.

Kelerah Peters of Christianburg Wismar won the girls’ under-15 400m (1:02.39s), and Ester McKinnon of Uitvlught Secondary won under under-17 1500m (5:18.40s).

In the field events, Romarion Wolfe of Presidents College won the boys’ under-14 High Jump (1.66m), Latifah James (Christianburg Wismar) won the Girl’s Under-20 Discus Throw (27.80m), and Jamie Fraser (Mahaicony Tech) won the Boy’s Under-20 Discus Throw (36.19m).

Additionally,  Hollyanna Jarvis (Christianburg Wismar) won the Girl’s Grade 7 Javelin Throw (17.95m), and Jontae Clements (Tutorial Academy) won the Boy’s Grade 7 Javelin Throw (34.20m).

The championships conclude today, with the 200m, 800m, and 4x400m relay finals in sharp focus.