Saturday 27, March-2004

Led by Shadir Greene (right with trophy below), the girls can feel justifiably proud of their achievements. So, too, can the lads from The Lodge, who reclaimed their boys’ title, after it went to Harrison College last year.

Seen here, the Minister of Sport Reginald Farley (left) presents the challenge shield to team captain Lenroy Scott.

It was the queens from Springer Memorial and the kings from The Lodge who blazed the National Stadium yesterday.
An awesome display of talent, commitment, speed and determination brought down the curtain on five days of amazing competition as this year’s Coca-Cola/Plus Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships closed as one of the best ever.

Springer were runaway girls’ champions with 312 points, while The Lodge boys had to fight hard to earn 232 points and the title.

It was Springer’s sixth title in seven years, while Lodge’s capture was their third in four years, at a meet that had electrifying action on all five days.

The Springer girls had it all sewn up from very early and, backed by strong vocal support in the stands, never let go. Lodge were second with 250 points, followed by Lester Vaughan with 199.5 points and Queen’s College on 182.5 points.

The boys’ race was close throughout and Lodge showed steely resolve to conquer. Lester Vaughan also grabbed the headlines by closing the meet with a record in the Boys’ 4x400 metres relay.

They finished second on 212 points, followed by Combermere with 205.5 points, and Harrison College, 184 points.

Springer coach Andrea Nicholls was delighted.

“Our formula for success is hard work, team spirit, a genuine love for each other – both the teachers and the students – and putting your best foot forward when it is necessary,” she told the Saturday SUN.

There was also euphoria in The Lodge camp.

“I thought the team spirit, the effort from the whole team, even the Under-13s, who normally come in and get their feet wet, they came in and right away they understood what was going on, and were very crucial to our overall performance,” said physical education teacher Clifton Phillips.

The top female athletes were Shadir Greene of Springer, and Kierre Beckles of Lester Vaughan, with 38 points each, while Dario Alleyne of Lester Vaughan and Fabian Norgrove of The Lodge were the most outstanding boys, with 36 points each.

Thirteen records were broken and two equalled, as the island’s athletes produced some outstanding performances and look towards next month’s CARIFTA Games in Bermuda.

There were no reports of bad behaviour, as everyone’s attention was focussed on what was happening on the track. Today, hundreds of Barbadian athletes are tired – some overjoyed, some disappointed – but they had five days of brilliant competition which climaxed in grand style yesterday.

Compliments of the Nation News

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