There were thrills, spills and records on the first two days of the GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls Championships.

Pole vaulter K'Don Samuels of Jamaica College, Micara Vassell of St Hugh's High, Janieve Russell of Holmwood Technical and Calabar's Travis Smikle were the four record breakers as the action got hot on day two of the meet.

All the records came in the field events. Samuels cleared 4.45m in the pole vault, Vassell hurled the shot put 12.87m to break her own mark set last year, Russell cleared 1.77m in the high jump and Smikle threw the discus 51.43m.

Security officials were also kept busy searching schoolbags and making sure prohibited items did not get inside the National Stadium.

With interest in the meet very high, scalpers from day one, were selling final-day grandstand tickets, with a face value of $1,600, for as much as $3,000.

The rivalry, though intense, remained friendly. Athletes from some of the top schools were seen congratulating each other and embracing at the end of their events.

Today a packed National Stadium should see some exciting action in several events. The 200 metres for Class One boys should be a torrid affair as the event will feature athletes who have won medals at the regional and world junior levels.

Some of those who should feature are Calabar's Ramone McKenzie, Herbert Morrison High's Dexter Lee, the world junior 100m champion, Nickel Ashmeade of St. Jago and Kemar Bailey-Cole of Old Harbour High.

Among the girls, look out for the outstanding middle distance runner Natoya Goule of Manchester High in Class One 800, Jamaica College's Waqar DaCosta in Class Two 800m, Holmwood's Chris-Ann Gordon in the Class Three 400m and 800m and Vere Technical's Celia Walters in the Class Two girls 200m.

Calabar High's Devon Dobson, runner-up in the pole vault open, gets some help from two volunteers after he injured himself during the event on Thursday.

Security at the entrance gates has been very tight at the championships. Here a policeman and a private security personnel search the bags of schoolboys as they enter the main gate at the National Stadium.

The rivalry at this year's championships has been very friendly. Hot favourite for the Class One boys 400 metres, Calabar's Ramone McKenzie (left) and St Jago's Adolphus Nevers embrace after heat five of the event on Thursday. Nevers won in 49.31 seconds with McKenzie second in 49.51.

K'Don Samuels of Jamaica College reacts as he clears the bar at 4.45 metres to set a new record in the boys' pole vault open event on Thursday.