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Kingston College maintained their lead as Hydel High surged to the front of the girls’ section on another topsy-turvy day at the ISSA Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships on Thursday.

Despite a few mishaps, KC raced to 99.5 points from 15 finals and established a 23.5-point lead over Calabar High on 76 with Jamaica College faltering in third on 54 points.

St Jago High on 34 points are fourth just ahead of Excelsior High in fifth on 33 points. Munro College (30), Wolmer’s Boys (27), Edwin Allen (18), St Elizabeth Technical High School (18) and Holmwood Technical (15) completed the top 10.

On the girl’s side after 16 finals, only five points separate the top three teams. Hydel High are on top with 88 points, four ahead of Edwin Allen on 84, as Holmwood Technical joined the party in the third spot on 83 points. St Jago are fourth on 48 with Immaculate Conception sitting pretty in fifth spot on 35 points.

The top 10 is completed by Vere Technical (29), Wolmer’s Girls (25), Excelsior High (23), St Mary’s High (22) and Alphansus Davis High also on 22 points.

In the first final of the day, Sackoya Palmer of St Mary High won the Girls’ Class Three high jump with 1.65m. Both Brianna Stewart of St Jago and Stefvanco Henry of Campion College also cleared 1.65m for second and third respectively.

Calabar’s Shamar Shaw won the Class Three high jump with a leap of 1.78m, the same as KC’s Jamari Nugent and Leondre Thomas of Herbert Morrison who tied for second.

The  Class Four long jump final was won by Anastacia Richards of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) with 5.49m. Kemoya Campbell of Edwin Allen was second with 5.21 ahead of Sanique Watt of Immaculate Conception with 5.18m.

In a favourable swing for Jamaica College Joseph Salmon won the boys’ Class One discus with a massive 62.14m throw.

But it wasn’t the victory for Salmon but the below-par display by the two KC throwers Daijon Budhai (48.41) and Dylan Logan (42.45m) that was significant as the KC pair were projected to be in the top four and they finished ninth and 12^th respectively.

JC picked up more unexpected points courtesy of Denzil Phillips who was sixth with 50.71m while Calabar’s Delon Smith was fourth with 53.87m.

Adrian Daley of St Catherine High was third with 17.30m and KC’s Jayden Miller secured a surprised fourth with 16.81m.

Shameika Mclean of Foga Road High won the Class three 400m in 54.22 ahead of Holmwood’s Tracey-Ann Evans in 55.55. Hydel’s Shaneil Henry was third with 56.19.

Javontae Smith of Munro College heaved a record 18.81m to win the Class Two shot put. Calabar’s Kamari Kennedy also went over the previous record throwing 18.29m.

Calabar got big unexpected points in the boys’ Class Three 400m as Rajeve Allison won in 50.33 ahead of his teammate Justin McKoy in 50.66. Lacovia’s Nicholas Jones was third in 50.73, the same as fourth-placed Khieme Campbell of St Jago.

Hydel responded in the Class Two 400 securing the quinella for 16 points courtesy of Nastassia Fletcher in 52.82 ahead of her teammate Sashana Johnson in 54.08. Maddison Campbell of Holmwood High was third with 54.44.

The much-improved Jason Pitter of KC confirmed his good form capturing the Class Two event in 47.92. Chante White provided Denbigh High with their first-ever medal at Champs capturing third in 48.56 ahead of Calabar’s Diwayne Sharpe in 48.30.

Chante White provided Denbigh High with their first-ever medal at Champs capturing third in 48.56 while his teammate Rayvon Black was eight with 49.52.

Hydel’s Abigail Campbell repelled the challenge from Kellyann Carr of Edwin Allen in the straight and won in 53.03. Holmwood’s Abrina Wright finished fast for second in 53.53 as Carr faded into third with 53.53.

Tahj-Marques White brought the curtain down on a fascinating day of action capturing the Class One 400m in a splendid 45.84 which was his personal best after sitting out last year through injuries.

It was 16 massive points for KC as last year’s champion Marcinho Rose was second also in a personal best of 45.90. Last year he won in 45.94. Omarie Williamson of Holmwood Technical was third some distance back in 46.66.