SJCK escapes TSSS ‘Wild Mandingoes’ chase

The athletes from the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown (SJCK), without much fanfare, silenced the Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS), nicknamed “the Wild Mandingoes,” to take the female division of the Inter-Secondary Schools Athletics Championships last Thursday at the Arnos Vale Playing Field.{{more}}

The SJCK tallied 228 points, to leave the TSSS in the second spot, thus preventing them from completing the hat-trick of wins. TSSS compiled 215 points.

Like typical “Convent girls,” the athletes, on announcement of the winners, tempered their celebrations, as they were closely eyed by the school’s principal Calma Balcombe.

But excited by the triumph was longstanding Physical Education teacher at the institution Aldith Walrond.

“It was a sweet victory after we had dropped to fourth last year,” a bubbly Waldron told SEARCHLIGHT.

Waldron, who has been in charge of the school’s track and field preparations for the past 10 years said that regaining the title was not much of a surprise.

“We knew we would have won from the results from our inter-house sports and the preparations went well for us,” she added. And, Walrond thinks that come next year at this time, the school could be in the same position.

“…We will still have the core of our Junior team, the core of our Intermediate, save and except for one or two, all we have to do is to work on the Seniors,” she projected.

Not only did the SJCK take the overall title, but Deslorn Lawrence was declared the Intermediate Girls winner. She added 41 points to her school’s count.

Taking the third place was the Bethel High School with 207 points. Bethel High, though, secured three of the individual awards.

Anastacia Codougan, with 20 points, was declared the Junior Champion.

The other two accolades went to Shantal Rouse. She was the stand-out performer in the Senior Division, registering 57 points. This also earned her the Victrix Ludorum award. (RT)