By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
5½ points separated O’Neal, Flemming in close finish
Flemming House won its record 19th Elmore Stoutt High School Inter-house Track and Field Championships in a thrilling finish that wasn’t decided until the final event on Friday, at the A. O. Shirley Grounds, with a mere 12 points separating the four teams.
The riveting 2-day see saw competition that also saw Tiondre “Dre” Frett and J’Den Jackson adding Carifta Games 100m qualifying marks, ended with Flemming House dethroning Carlisle House for the title to win by 5½ points, in the competition’s closest finish among the four houses in its 53-year history.
Flemming, House 3, amassed 603 points to O’Neal, House 2—who was in 4th place with 579½ after the 200m and two relays left—placing second with 597½. Carlisle, House 4, finished third with 594½ and early leader Lettsome—House 1, had 591.
Carlisle scored big points in every event and erased a 34-point deficit, to pull within ½ a point of Lettsome, at the end of Thursday’s Day I. Lettsome, who had 323 points to 288½ for Carlisle after pre-events, saw their lead evaporate to a razor thing 478-477½ points advantage over Carlisle House. Flemming, House 3 amassed 463 and O’Neal, House 2, 454½, to close Day I.
The 800m on Friday was a turning point for both Lettsome and Carlisle, as they began losing ground. O’Neal garnered momentum, which they carried through the 200m and into the reintroduced, 4x400m Relay and Flemming took the led as Lettsome’s grip on the title vanished.
Myra Edwards said Flemming’s win was somewhat of a surprise. “I know we would win because we had good captains, a great team and Ms. (Lashmi) Sammy
O’Neal’s leader Andre Roberts said it was an awesome last day for his team. “Our backs were against the wall, but my children, lord, they put it out there for me,” he said. “They came out and they gave their all. I am so proud of every last one of them. They really poured their hearts on the track today.”
Thea Cooke of Carlisle, said they fell short on Friday as there were athletes dealing with injuries and some weren’t feeling well. “We had to pull persons to participate in the different events,” she said. “Nevertheless, people participating rather than having full blown athletes is better. It shows good sportsmanship.”
With a ½ point lead, Myron Williams said Lettsome’s troubles began when Azariah Benjamin missed the U15 Girls 800m, where they expected a 1-2 finish and 18 points and had to use someone else. “We didn’t execute properly to the end, but my kids still put on a show and I’m proud of them,” he said.
Event Coordinator Rhennie Phipps, said it surpassed last year’s competition when Carlisle won by 9½ points for their first title in 12 years. “The last race decided the actual meet,” he said. “I’m very excited, proud—all types of emotions based on what just transpired—I’m very pleased with what happened.”
The competition saw three athletes running the 100m under 11.00 seconds for the first time. O’Neal’s Frett made his U17 Boys debut in 10.95 seconds, to qualify for the upcoming CARIFTA Games in a third event. Then teammate J’Den Jackson, ran a personal best of 10.63 seconds to claim the U20 Boys race, adding his second CARIFTA Games qualifier in the process, while pulling teammate Mario Carter to a personal best 10.95. Jackson jumped to No 9 on the BVI All Time 100m List.
Carter, who had lost to Jackson in the 200m, 21.54-21.74 seconds in the BVI Athletics Association Dag Samuels Development Series on Feb 22, returned in the 200m and beat Jackson for the first time, 21.77— 21.85.
Carlisle’s Shyra Stoutt closed in on the CARIFTA Games U20 Girls Long Jump mark of 5.60m (18’4½), when she cut the sand at 5.55m (18’2½”). Lettsome’s M’Kenzii Crabbe, grabbed U17 Girls 100m and 400m victories, in 12.52 seconds and a personal best 58.63 respectively. She followed up with 200m and 800m victories respectively, to share the Victrix Ludorum with Deniel Clarke both earning 50 points. Crabbe also grabbed an earlier victory in the Long Jump.
Division Champs. U15 Girls: Jecoliah Jones, O’Neal, 44 points. Boys: (tie) Bryson Walters, Flemming and Cadeon Fraties, Lettsome, 48. U17 Girls: M’Kenzii Crabbe, Lettsome, 50. Boys: Tiondre “Dre” Frett, O’Neal, 38. 18+Girls: Deniel Clarkeqas [-[88, Carlisle, 50. Boys: Paul Hewlett, Flemming, 45.
Victor Ludorum:(tie)Bryson Walters Flemming and Cadeon Fraites, Lettsome, 48. Victrix: (tie) M’Kenzii Crabbe, Lettsome and Deniel Clarke, Carlisle, 50.
