Twelve-year-old Ianna Graham of ‘A’ house proved unstoppable when the Brickdam Secondary School held its Inter-House athletic championships at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) ground yesterday.
Though only 12, Graham simply could not be challenged in the Under-14 age group, where she made a clean sweep of the sprint events.
Graham started her winning habit in the girls’ under-14 200m where she won by more than 30m to turn in one of her most impressive performances of the day.
She later told Stabroek Sport that she was very confident ahead of the 200m since it was her pet event.
“I felt great in all my races and especially in the 100 and 200m because I won them in style,” said the young national sprinter.
Just moments after her 200m victory, Graham returned to win the 400m despite leaving the starting line last.
She then finished her day in grand style with a flambouyant victory in the 100m to steal the hearts of the spectators.
Elton Murray made his presence felt in the U-16 age group where he won the 100, 200, 400, and 800m events while Ivlaw Christian won the 1500 and 5000m.
These three athletes will hope to continue their dominance next week when North Georgetown hosts the “Champion of Champions” next Wednesday and Thursday.
Another school with a strong contingent for champion of champions is St John’s College who also held their Inter-House sports yesterday at the Eve Leary ground.
As predicted, upcoming distance prospect, Devaun Barrington, swept the distance events to secure the champion boy title with victories in the Open 5000m, and the U-16 1500 and 800m. He also placed second in the 400m.
Nadine Rodrigues shattered all Tenisha Punch’s hopes of returning to the National School Track and Field Championships when she upset her rival in the 100, 200 and 400m events.
Nichols House advantaged the other two houses as they amassed 554 points to win by a margin of 208 points. Stewart House who placed second with 346 and Ramdyal followed with 332 points.
Pint-sized Shaquille Forde, singlehandedly contributed 50 points to Nichols’ House comprehensive victory. He won the 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1200 metre events in the boys’ U-12 category which caused teachers of the school to run onto the field and lift him up after his victory in the 1200m event.
Over at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground Bourda, Butler House gained bragging rights over long time rivals Galton at St. Stanislaus College’s Inter-House sports. Butler were the overall champions with 908 points over Galton who managed 848 points while Welf and Ethridge came third and fourth with 795.5 and 744.5 respectively.
Mattew Harris earned victories in the 100m, 200, and 400m to pick up where his older brother, Steven Harris left off last year.
The old boys gave a sound whipping to the teachers and present students in the 4×100 surprise relay thanks to a bullet start by former student Kizan Brummell and experienced anchoring of Brennon Thompson.
North Georgetown will come alive next week at Champion of Champions when all winners at the inter-house level meet to compete for a chance to compete at this year’s National Schools Track and Field Championships which is projected to be held at the Providence National stadium early next month.
