Gibson McCook Relays: Edwin Allen tipped to romp girls’ Class One 4x100m

Edwin Allen High and Hydel High are set for another battle for supremacy in the high school girls’ Class One sprint relay at this weekend’s 49th staging of the Gibson McCook Relays at the National Stadium.

For the second time in its history, the first was 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be finals only in all events at the prestigious meet, with the top eight teams selected for these finals based on last year’s finishing positions. The Gleaner/STAR Sports will preview the championship events and select the likely top three finishers.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ CLASS ONE 4x100

In what was an extremely ‘close finish last year, it took the photo-finish camera to separate Edwin Allen and Hydel as both teams hit the finish line together. Edwin Allen were awarded the win in 44.80 seconds, with Hydel second in 44.81 and Holmwood Technical third in 45.91.

Edwin Allen are the leaders in the event this season with their 45.24 run while winning at the Central Hurdles, Relays and Field Events at G.C. Foster College, getting the better of Holmwood (45.76) and Vere Technical (47.17).

Last year’s winners have only lost one member from the 2025 team. Jounee Armstrong has been replaced by the outstanding Trinidadian Alexxe Henry, the athlete who anchored them to victory at last year’s Penn Relays in Philadelphia, and it will be hard to deny the Michael Dyke-coached team.

With a season’s best 46.09, a time they ran at the Camperdown Classics, Hydel, who have lost Abigail Campbell and Jody-Ann Daley from their team, have a mountain to climb and will be hoping the Shemonique Hazle-led quartet can punch above their weight.

Corporate Area champions Immaculate Conception High, with their 45.48 clocking to win at that meet, have the second-fastest time this season and will be hoping to pull off a surprise.

Excelsior High, who were second to Immaculate in 45.95 at the weekend, will, along with Holmwood, also be hoping to stop the overwhelming favourites Edwin Allen.

It will take something special to deny Edwin Allen, as their quartet also includes the likes of Reneica Edwards and the very good 400m specialist Kelly-Ann Carr. A sub-45 seconds winning time looks very likely and Edwin Allen should win on a canter.