Edwin Allen High School's girls will be looking to unseat champions Holmwood Technical at this week's GraceKennedy-sponsored National Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships.

As a result, they have added counsellors to their team, to assist with their mental preparation.

"We have counsellors working with them at school," said their coach, Michael Dyke.

He added: "We are trying to get at least one of them with us, to be with the team in Kingston."

According to Dyke, the inclusion of counsellors will significantly aid their chances of winning the Championships, set for April 1-4 at the National Stadium.

Pressure

This appears to be Edwin Allen's best ever chance to win Champs.

"Sometimes coaches come under pressure just like the athletes, so that would really help to take some of the pressure off us (coaches). And to have somebody else to rap with them, keep their minds sometimes even away from the track and field, just to help them a little more to focus and relax.

"... When the pressure comes on, if you are not able to deal with it, then you are going to crumble," Dyke pointed out.

"So once you are able to keep them focused, keep their minds relaxed on what they have to do, then any card can play," added Dyke.

The coach is also looking to reduce the time his athletes spend at the National Stadium complex.

He said, over the years, athletes are taken to the warm-up area long in advance, but this year will be different.

"We basically will just move them (athletes) a hour before their event," he said, adding this would be enough time for warm-ups.

Important points

He also said due to the heat "dehydration has played some part. I noticed it a few times where it has affected us. They were just not able to deal with it."

Edwin Allen's top athletes are Jamaica's World Junior 400 metres hurdles finalist, Nikita Tracey, who chases her first 400 metres hurdles title, Gayon Evans, who aims to avenge her Carifta Games defeat to Carrie Russell of The Queen's School, and Vere's Jura Levy, Kaycea Jones, Anamarie Duffus, and Amoy Blake, who has a great chance to win the 400 metres.

In Class Two, Sasha-Gaye Marston in the throws, Ristananna Tracey and Shashawna French are just a few of the athletes who should also earn important points for Edwin Allen.