Bayley’s Primary School ran riot in new surroundings, winning both the girls’ and boys’ divisions in the Obadele Thompson Zone at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex yesterday.
Having been regular tenants of the Patsy Callender zone in previous years, the Panthers took little time settling into their new zone of the Chefette Frosteez National Primary School Athletic Championship (NAPSAC), ending proceedings with 332.50 points in the girls’ division and 309 among the boys.
Belmont Primary School were runners up among the girls with 227.50 points, 105 points behind. In third was Saint Judes Primary with 145 points. The margin of victory in the boys’ division was narrower, as 45 points was the difference between winners Bayley’s Primary (309) and second placed St Cyprian’s Boys’ (264). Trailing a bit further behind was Milton Lynch Primary School who ended on 159 points.
For the second time in this year’s NAPSAC, the Victor Ludorum award was shared. Bayley’s dynamic duo of Shakir Alleyne and Christopher Chandler earned 30 points each for their school thanks to their exhilarating performances.
Eleven-year-old Alleyne was hot out of the gate, winning the first male event of the day, the Open Boys; 800 metres with consummate ease, in a time of 2 minutes 45:27 seconds, seven minutes faster than the next best performer Thierry Thomas from Milton Lynch Primary who came in at 2:52:30.
Alleyne’s good form continued in the Under 13 boys’ 400m, where he picked up another win with a time of 1:17:00 seconds, albeit much closer this time out, 0.00.68 seconds separating him from Saint Cyprian’s Boys’ Brent Lashley.
His highlight was undoubtedly breaking the high jump open zone record of 1.31 metres which stood for 11 years. A deep breath then a hop and a jump sent him soaring over the bar and into the record books much to the elation of the crowd who were eagerly tuned into history unfolding before their very eyes. Not satisfied with just equalling the record, he pushed it further to 1.34m. Only a clip of the right heel stopped Alleyne from reaching 1.36m but the pride emanating from his face as he sat listening to the record being announced suggested that making history was enough.
Chandler started his incredible day with an electrifying performance in the 80 metre dash, coming home with 12.80 seconds. The eight-year-old’s height advantage was enough to see him nip ahead of Tashim Welch from St Cyprian’s Boys (15.84) at the line and win the Under-9 boys’ 100 metres in 15.83 seconds. He also won the 150m with aplomb as he pulled away from the pack at the 50m-mark and coasted home to the raucous fanfare of the Bayley’s posse.
The St Philip school was the first to have both Victor and Victrix Ludorum. Six-year-old Cierra Robinson earned a full 30 points to beat schoolmates Tianna Burke and Autumn Alleyne who both finished on 26 each.
Robinson made a mockery of the Under-7 boys’ 50m, finishing the race in 10.10 seconds, before many had got to the 30-metre mark. Robinson was equally convincing in the standing broad jump and the tennis ball throw, winning both with distances of 1.21 and 10.61 metres, respectively.
There was a smaller crowd than normal for this zone but those that came through the gates were treated to three records being broken. Jaliyah Payne from Bayley’s equalled the girls’ high jump open mark of 1.20 metres set in 2011 by Deshaniqua Nowell from Workman’s. Later in the afternoon, 12-year-old Sariyah Holder set a new record of 6.96 metres in the Under 13 girls’ shot put, smashing Kiara Bruce’s old one of 6.84m which was set in 2020.
NAPSAC continues today at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex with the Ryan Brathwaite Zone.
The schools featuring will be: Lawrence T Gay Memorial Primary, St Mark’s Primary, A Dacosta Edwards Primary, Gordon Greenidge Primary, Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary, Ellerton Primary, St Angela’s School, St Catherine’s School, Half Moon Fort Primary, Blackman and Gollop Primary.
Final Points:
Girls
Bayley’s Primary School 50
Belmont Primary School 50
Saint Judes Primary 145
Hindsbury Primary 121
Warrens Primary School 84
Gordon Walters Primary School 74
Providence Elementary School 38
Saint Elizabeth Primary 35
Eagles Academy Preparatory School 4
Boys
Bayley’s Primary School 309
Saint Cyprian’s Boys 264
Milton Lynch Primary School 159
Belmont Primary 126
Gordon Walters Primary School 87
St Judes Primary 85
Providence Elementary 35
Warrens Primary School 24
Saint Elizabeth Primary 19
Eagles Academy Preparatory School 10