Vere Technical's Jura Levy

Holmwood Technical High's girls have dominated the Gibson Relays in recent years, but this time around, the Christiana-based school will receive a stern test from its rivals.

Unlike previous years, Holmwood do not have a 'superstar' in their ranks. They will, however, be in the mix for the Class Two and Four 4x100m, along with the 4x800m open. Chris-Ann Gordon, a first-year Class Three athlete, should be the one to watch among the Holm-wood contingent.

Potential winners

They also have some class in Osheen Erskine and Janieve Russell, both Class Three athletes.

Holmwood's central Jamaica rivals, Manchester High, also have a strong 4x800m team, with Shana-Gaye Tracey and Natoya Goule expected to be the featured runners. They are also strong contenders in the Class Three 4x100m, which has Shay-Ann Holness.

Edwin Allen High will be the team to watch in the Class One sprint relay where they will be led by Gayon Evans. Vere Technical, with outstanding junior athlete Jura Levy in their ranks should also do well in the Class One sprints.

Wolmer's, with Danielle Dowie and The Queen's School, with another top junior athlete, Carrie Russell,

Holmwood's head coach, Maurice Wilson, has admitted that his team is not at their best for today's meet.

According to him, this year they are not fully prepared.

"I don't expect the team to be as sharp as it should be," he said.

"It's hard to tell you what is oing to happen, but what I can say, once they are on the track, they are going to give of their best ... ."

"I am not as comfortable and confident as I should be because of various circumstances," he said, while disclosing that getting proper training facilities is chief among those problems.

He said he would not be disappointed if they did not win a relay but did not expect that to happen.

Best bet for victory

Michael Dyke of Edwin Allen admitted his Class One 4x100m girls are his best bet for victory.

While saying his girls were in high spirits, Dyke added: "I think we can win the Class One girls 4x100m. We should also be very competitive in Class Four and in the 4x400m."

Dyke also listed Class Two and Three 4x100m as events where his girls would be among the top teams.

Vere's Constantine Haughton, as usual, stayed away from making any predictions.

"As usual, we always try to do our best," he said. "Over the years, I have never been a gambler or a betting man, I always leave it to the students, because if it was up to the coaches alone, it would be a different thing.

"It's the mindset of students, which you cannot predict, but we want to do our best. But the business of predicting, I have never gone that way, even when I have very outstanding people," he added.

Haughton, however, said that they should be competitive in their events.

Jerry Holness of Manchester said his girls had worked hard and they would be ready to compete.

In the 4x800m, we are one race up on Holmwood, but I know they are going to come hard trying to get back at us," he continued.

"In the 4x100m races, except for Class One, we should be competitive," he said.

"None of the races is going to be easy; but we just have to do what we have to do," Holness said.

Edwin Allen High's Shawna Anderson (left) and Gayon Evans celebrating a one-two finish in the Class One Girls 100 metres at Boys' and Girls' Championships last year. Anderson has left school but Evans will be a key member of Edwin Allen's Class One sprint relay today.

Manchester's Natoya Goule

Jerry Holness, coach of Manchester High.

Michael Dyke, coach of Edwin Allen's girls.

Maurice Wilson ... coach of Holmwood's girls