NAPSAC CHAMPIONS CROWNED

by David Harris

Blackman and Gollop and West Terrace Primary schools were crowned champions of the National Athletic Primary Schools Championships (NAPSAC) after an exciting day of action at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex on Friday afternoon. 

In the boys ‘division, Blackman and Gollop won the title for the first time with 161 points, a mere three points ahead of Bayley’s Primary’s 158. Defending champions West Terrace placed third with 112.5 points, followed by Charles F. Broome (90), and Mount Tabor Primary (90) came fifth. 

Nathan Phillips and Zaviere Brathwaite were the outstanding athletes for Blackman and Gollop. Phillips confirmed his status as the fastest primary schoolboy on the island by winning the Under-13 Boys’100m final in 13.21 seconds. He secured a second gold medal in the 200m but was narrowly defeated in the 400m final by Joshua Russell of St Winifred. Russell clocked 60.76 seconds, while Phillips took the silver with a time of 60.79 seconds. 

Nathannael Whittaker of Reynold Weekes Primary was the Victor Ludorum, after scoring a maximum of 30 points in the Under-11 category and remaining unbeaten in all of his sprint events. Whittaker won the 100m in 13.97 seconds, and registered times of 28.81 and 45.05 in the 200m and the 300m to secure a maximum of 30 points. 

 West Terrace Primary captured the Girl’s title with 157 points, Hilda Skeene finished second with 121 points, followed closely by Christ Church with 119 points, Blackman and Gollop came fourth, and All Saints with 62 points competed the five. Last year’s champions Good Shepherd failed to finish in the top 10. 

  Reshanna Holder of Hilda Skeene took the Victrix Ludorum title after dominant performances in the Under-13 Girls’ long jump and the 100m and 200m. 

Holder leapt 4.51 metres to win the Under-13 Girls’ long jump before winning the 100m in 13.28, and 200m in 27.27.     

  After the presentation ceremony, the physical education teacher at Blackman and Gollop Jeremy King lauded the boys for their historic performance. 

  “It was a hard season, and we put in a lot of hard work; and our hard work paid off. I am very happy with the boys and the victory. A bit sad that the girls finished fourth with 87 points-but we will come stronger with the girls next year”, King said. 

Roderick Harmon, the physical education teacher at West Terrace, praised the outstanding performances of his athletes. 

“We knew from the beginning that the girls were in with a chance, I was hoping for the boys to better their performance from the semi-final; but coming first in the girls, and the boys in the top five, I will take that any day. Our success is due to having good athletes and God helping them to stay healthy and focus during the day”, Harmon said. 

The final was held before a large crowd with Prime Minister Mia Mottley and President Emerita The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason in attendance.