‘This small core has quality’

Despite entering this year’s championships with one of their smallest squads in recent memory, head coach Carlos Samuels says he is expecting strong all-round and quality performances from The Queen’s School at the upcoming ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Camps).

Samuels said that the school will field a team of just 11 athletes, the same number that competed last year. While the size of the squad is modest, he noted that the group’s preparation and focus can yield improved results.

“Our aim is to improve on our performance and our points tally,” Samuels explained.

“Last year we had some mishaps with injuries, and our major points pusher also lost her father in the middle of Champs, which threw the camp off.”

He added that the team has since regrouped and is determined to return to form, with middle-distance events expected to be their strongest area. He also shared that he is confident that they will surpass the 10 points that they tallied at last year’s event.

“We are trying to refocus and get back to where we were, and I am anticipating some good performances in the 800 and 1500 metres, so that we can pick up valuable points,” he said.

“I think we can definitely surpass our tally from last year because we underscored based on the team we had. This year, we have athletes who are very focused in specific areas, and we are looking to maximise every opportunity.”

Samuels pointed to the 800m, 1500m, medley relay, and 4x400m relay as the events most likely to deliver for the school.

Without any Class 1 competitors this season, he pointed out that the programme will rely heavily on its Class 2 athletes, including Keyah Anderson, who has enjoyed an impressive season and will contest both the 800m and 1500m. Latoya Williams is also expected to contribute in the Class 2 800m.

Additional support is expected from Zion Miller and Prescilla Johnson, whom Samuels identified as key athletes capable of adding to the team’s points total.

According to Samuels, this year’s squad is the smallest the school has assembled in some time, partly due to several athletes departing on scholarships. However, he underscored that he remains confident that the quality within the reduced squad can still make an impact.

“This is the lowest number we have had for an entire season because we have lost some girls to scholarships,” Samuels said. “But I think that this small core has quality, so we should still be heard and seen at Champs.”

This year’s Championships will be held at the National Stadium from March 24-28.