OMAR BRYAN WINS PENN RELAYS DISCUS BRONZE

Big Bryan Led the Way
Munro College has returned from the 115th Penn Relays Carnival a bit lighter in the medal category than we had hoped for. We did not return empty handed, however, as reigning CAC U-17 Discus Champion and Record Holder, Omar Bryan, took third place in the High School Boys Discus Competition with a throw of 50.48m (165-7). This placed him first among all Jamaican athletes entered in the event. We offer up special congratulations to Omar, his coach Dr. Gwyn Jones and Michael Vassell who helped guide all the Jamaican throwers during the competition in Philadelphia.

We started out well initially on the track. In the 4x100m heat we were ahead by a tremendous distance and were well on our way to a season's beast in the region of 41.5 or better when our anchor man, Moses Watkis, strained his hamstring muscle and bravely limped across the line for 2nd place in a time of 43.51 (click here for video - MC is in Lane 2). While we had no injuries for the 4x400m a lack of focus possibly led to the rather pedestrian time of 3:21:50 almost a full four seconds below our season's best of 3:17:72 (click here for video).

We now move onto a possible lane in this weekend's Jamaica Invitational and then onto the National Junior Trials, which will be held separately from the Seniors this year on June 13th and 14th.

We thank everyone for their support over the year and feel confident that our student-athletes got good exposure as we have had initial inquiries from Norfolk State University and North Carolina A&T University. Omar Bryan is now also on the radar screen of a few colleges as he was the best of the local athletes in the discus.

We must say a "Big Respect" to the Old Boys that made it to the meet: Garfield Comrie (Western Union), Weldon "Perro" Maddan, Damion "Missah C" Campbell, Escoffery "Scaffo" Thomas, "Trouble" Rowe, David Knight, Raymond "Foggy" Farquharson and David "Baddaz" Atkinson. We must also say a big thanks to that indomitable organization, Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB). TJB and its legion of volunteers and sponsors ensured all schools found safe and affordable accommodations along with free transportation and meals. We are reminded during times of crisis of the strength of the Jamaican Spirit and Brotherhood. TJB consistently reaffirms these virtues each and every year and as such they make us more proud to be Jamaican.

Best Regards,
B.C. Hayden
Team Manager

MUNRO HEADS OFF TO PENN RELAYS TODAY

Back Row (L-R) Richard Wilson (Coach), Omar Bryan, Shawnterry Manboard, Jodirae Blackwood, Andrene Nelson (Head Prefect), Moses Watkis, Steve Cole (Coach); Front Row (L-R) Adam Cummings, Erroll Davis; Absent - Rolando Reid (US Embassy)

A ten man delegation from Munro College Track and Field will leave the Donald Sangster International Airport today for Philadelphia. Included in that number are:

Athletes
Jodirae Blackwood (4x100 & 4x400m - ran 48.4 at Champs)
Omar Bryan (Discus - Current CAC U-17 Record Holder)
Adam Cummings (Rewarded for winning National CIII 100m title in record time of 10.91 - not competing)
Erroll Davis (4x400m - 2nd Yr CII - 1:56.9h over 800m)
Shawnterry Manboard (4x100 & 4x400m - 10.7h and 50.4h)
Andrene Nelson (4x100m & 4x400m - Head Prefect - Relay Animal 49.1 over 400m)
Rolando Reid (4x100m & 4x400m - 10.6h - '07 CIII 100m Champ)
Moses Watkis (4x100m & TJ - 10.7h - D'Cup Striker and National U-20 Invitee)

Coaches
Richard Wilson
Steve Cole

We wish them all the best and thank everyone that helped make this trip possible. The guys looked good at the Penn Camp held this past weekend at Stadium East. Second leg man on the mile relay team, Jodi-Rae Blackwood, had the flu and was rested. Other than that all went well with Nelson and Reid clocking 49.1 and 49.4 over 400m in a 90% time trial. Omar Bryan threw for a few hours by the St. Hugh's field with Dr. Jones, Michael Vassell and Rory Marsh. He left with a best of 51.50m that would have put him 5th in last year's competition.

Let's remember that the last time Munro went to the Penn Relays in 2006 we won the 4x100m for High School Boys (Small Schools). Here's the video of that race to refresh your memory.

I will try and keep everyone updated on how things are going for the fellows over the weekend. In the meantime feel free to browse the Flotrack Video site at the end of each day for videos of every race. A link to the results can also be found below.

1. FLOTRACK VIDEO - PENN RELAYS COVERAGE 2008 (Updated at end of each day)

The 2008 4x100m Heat (anchor leg pulls)

The 2008 4x400m Heat

2. PENN RELAYS RESULTS (2008)

GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF CHAMPS 2008

Class II and Sprints Dominated for Munro in '08
For the last three years we have wrapped up our "Champs" Season with a Team Meeting and small Prize Giving Ceremony where those who have gained points at the National Boys Championships are awarded. This builds on the Annual Bucky Awards that are given out by Dr. Jones each year for field event athletes.

At this meeting we also take time to review and analyze the team's performance at the meet and lay the groundwork for strategy going into the next few seasons. Since we now have the blog we can share some of these highlights with you. We normally meet to discuss strategy in May before final exams and again in September at the beginning of the academic year. I will keep you abreast of these dates as we would like to expand the process and make it more inclusive going forward.

A few integral boundary conditions before you review the charts. At Boys Champs the breakdown of total point potential across event groups looks like this:

Event Group	Contribution to Total Possible Points (%)
Sprints, Hurdles and Relays	46.37%
Distance & Mid. Distance	16.61%
Throws	11.07%
Jumps and Heptathlon	25.95%

As you can see sprint related events account for most of the maximum possible points earned at the Championships. In order to win these Championships one must at worst have a team balanced across at least three of the event groups including the sprint related events.

Munro has traditionally done well in the field events and as such we have a strong base there. This year the tables were turned somewhat in that most of our points were earned in the sprints as seen in the first and second charts (tough to label without HTML). To see the charts in greater detail simply click on the picture and it will expand. There's a lot more to say but these images are self-explanatory and we're out of space. Feel free to ask questions and make comments and we can respond there.

MUNRO TO SEND SQUAD TO PENN RELAYS

MC Goes to the Penn Relays
We are happy to announce that in 2008 Munro College will be sending a team of eight athletes and two coaches to the 114th running of the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, USA. The school will compete in four events, the 4x100m, the4x400m, the Discus and the Triple Jump for High School Boys. This would not have been possible without the help of numerous Old Boys, the Old Boys Assoc., Friends of MC Track and Field, and the School.

MC Track and Field, through donations from past students and friends has provided eight airline tickets towards the trip and a US$70 stipend to each member of the squad. The school at this point will cover the remaining costs of US$1,500 for the hotel and US$1,000 for the remaining two tickets. The team leaves Jamaica from Montego Bay on April 23rd and returns from Philadelphia on April 28th. (Photo: B. Hayden (r) hands over tickets to Coach Wilson (l) on behalf of MC Track & Field)

We are grateful for all donations but must make special mention of Comfitanya Restaurant that hosted a "no-risk" Fish Fry on our behalf . The Fish Fry contributed three of the airline tickets. The Munro Old Boy's Association contributed two tickets, as did Lawson "Ginga" Wellington ('87), and Central Food Packers (P.C. Bravo) contributed one.

We must thank everyone for supporting the MC Track and Field cause and our efforts to send the team to the Penn Relays (Training Camp, Team Gear and Stipend).

Special thanks must go to:

Dr. Charles Rockhead ('89), Wilfred Chin ('), Bryan Cummings ('), Glaister Welsh ('88), Raymond "Foggy" Farquharson ('85), Clavel Edwards ('83), Patrick "Rocky" Drummond ('85), David "Badaz" Atkinson ('82), Glen Patrick ('69), Trevor Jackson ('82), Dr. Andre "Soapy"Robinson ('90), David "Chigro"Campbell ('90), Tommo Tomlinson ('90), Dr. Peter "Atom" Harriott ('90), Anthony "Chalwa" Dunn, Selwyn "Fish T" Davis ('89), Michael "Fisha" Fisher ('89), Barrington "Fink" Watson ('88) and friends Sonia Hayden, Heather Robinson, Janyce Robinson, Kari Morrison, Dave Anderson, Carol Brown, Karlene Bailey and Fiona Jones.

THE SQUAD

Athletes
Jodirae Blackwood (4x100 & 4x400m - ran 48.4 at Champs)
Omar Bryan (Discus - Current CAC U-17 Record Holder)
Adam Cummings (Rewarded for winning National CIII 100m title in record time of 10.91 - not competing)
Erroll Davis (4x400m - 2nd Yr CII - 1:56.9h over 800m)
Shawnterry Manboard (4x100 & 4x400m - 10.7h and 50.4h)
Andrene Nelson (4x100m & 4x400m - Head Prefect - Relay Animal)
Rolando Reid (4x100m & 4x400m - 10.6h - '07 CIII 100m Champ)
Moses Watkis (4x100m & TJ - 10.7h - D'Cup Striker)

Coaches
Richard Wilson
Steve Cole