by Robertson S. Henry Fri Aug 02, 2013
Monday, July 29, 2013 at the Arnos Vale Playing Field saw what is arguably the most competitive track and field meet since the revival of the Windward Islands Schools Games.{{more}}
It was constant action on the track, and even the field events had their moments of suspense and intrigue. The Boysâ High Jump had spectators and athletes tense with excitement, as Kevin Cox of Grenada and Walter Emmanuel Jr of Saint Lucia engaged in a jump-off to decide the 2013 champion.
Failing to clear the 2.0-metre mark, the duo then attempted one jump at 1.95, and both failed. Back to 2.0 for a jump each, and again they failed. The bar was lowered to 1.95, and Cox, shortening his run-up by a couple metres, threw everything into one final effort and cleared the bar.
Emmanuel failed in his attempt and claimed the silver medal, with a height of 1.95 metres; the same as the gold medallist Cox. The bronze medal went to Lemus Christopher of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who cleared a height of 1.90 metres.
The Girlsâ High Jump also came down to two competitors in Azizah Stowe of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Shermalyn Albert of Saint Lucia. Albert took the silver at a height of 1.50 metres, and Stowe the gold at 1.55 metres, with Roselle Felix of Grenada taking the bronze, having cleared 1.45 metres.
Notwithstanding, the tension got thick enough to cut with a chainsaw when it was announced over the public address system that there was a three-way tie for first place, with three events remaining.
Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines were tied on 167 points, with the Girlsâ High Jump, and the Girlsâ and Boysâ 4X400 metre relays remaining.
With Stowe taking the gold in the Girlsâ High Jump, St Vincent and the Grenadines crept into the overall lead, and the excitement began to reach crescendo levels.
Dominica stormed to gold in the Girlsâ 4×400 metre relay in 4:07.22 minutes, Grenada, silver, in 4:18.63 minutes, and Saint Lucia bronze in 4:23.80 minutes.
Now it was the final event of an action-packed afternoon â the Boysâ 4X400 metre relay. The first leg was a see-saw battle as Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada went at one another with everything in their tanks.
However, Brandon Parris had other ideas and streaked across the Arnos Vale grass like a hare on the second leg, leaving his challengers to choke on the dust in his wake.
That effectively settled the race as St Vincent and the Grenadines took the gold in 3:25.53 minutes, Grenada silver in 3:30.08 minutes, and Saint Lucia bronze in 3:34.67 minutes.
Now it was the anxious wait for the final overall results, and that proved to be even more dramatic.
In the Boysâ category, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines tied for third place with 109 points each, Dominica took second spot with 114 points, and Grenada won the male category with 121 points.
Four points separated the top three finishers in the Girlsâ category, with Dominica fourth with 88 points, third place going to Grenada with 101 points, St Vincent and the Grenadines second with 103 points, and Saint Lucia taking the pole position with 105 points.
Two points separated the third and second placed finishers in the overall team points standings with Dominica fourth on 202 points; St Vincent and the Grenadines third on 212 points, Saint Lucia second on 214 points and Grenada, the overall champions on 222 points. (robertsons.henry@gmail.com)
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