by Raymond Graham, Freelance Writer

( L - R ) St Jago's Nickel Ashmeade, Kingston College's Keiron Stewart - file photos

The following is the second and final section of the high school boys Penn Relays preview. Section one was published yesterday.

Following their record-breaking run at the Gibson Relays, there were many who felt that St Jago would easily win the 4x400m at Boys' and Girls' Championships, but both Kingston College and Calabar gave them a run for their money.

It needed a brilliant third leg by Nickel Ashmeade to give them the edge and Blake was able to hold on at the end after a keen tussle with Kingston College's Andre Peart and Calabar's Andrew Riley.

While St Jago have a weak leg, Kingston College, who recorded 3:09.22 at last year's Gibson Relays and 3:12.82 to finish second to St Jago (3:11.56) at Champs this year, appear to have a good all-round team. With Keiron Stewart and Andre Peart in good form and Ramone Birch and Cawayne Jervis expected to be back to full fitness, Kingston College could deny St Jago.

Calabar, following that good run at Champs, will also do well, but McKenzie will first have to overcome St Jago's Ashmeade who seems to be winning the psychological battle between them.

Another competitive event will come in the 4x800m as defending champions Kingston College will have to be at full strength if they are to beat Calabar, Manchester High, Jamaica College and Americans, Morris Hill High.

Last year Kingston College posted a winning time of 7:42.45 and should have the same quartet of Adrian Bonner, Danzeto Cephas, Andre Pickersgill and Donahue Williams. However, things have not gone well this year as they failed to compete at the Gibson Relays due to injuries to several members of that team.

In Kingston College's absence, Manchester High and Calabar have taken the opportunity to show their strength with wins at Western Relays and Gibson Relays, respectively.

Calabar (7:47.35) at Gibson Relays, ahead of Holmwood Technical (7:48.27), were very fortunate as Jamaica College had a long lead on the final leg before their runner was accidentally tripped by an athlete he was about to lap. The fall took too much out of him and he failed to recover. The John Mair-coached team will be hoping for a clear run at the Penn Relays, while Morris Hill, with an indoor best time of 7:56.42 in New York last January, will have to come much better if they intend to deny the Jamaicans.

With last year's team and enough time to recover from injuries, defending champions Kingston College must, however, start favourites to defend their 4x800m title.