The ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships crowned Hydel High as queens once again, as they fended off a relentless challenge from Edwin Allen to secure their second Girls’ title at the National Stadium on Saturday.

In a thrilling finish to the five-day spectacle, Hydel sealed the deal in emphatic fashion, as their quartet of Abigail Campbell, Nastassia Fletcher, Sashana Johnson, and Jody-Ann Daley produced a dominant victory in the 4x400m relay to fittingly close the championships in style.

The Corey Bennett-coached team amassed 277 points, reclaiming the championship crown they first won in 2023, breaking Edwin Allen’s eight-year reign at the time. After relinquishing the title last year, the Ferry-based powerhouse stormed back with a vengeance, proving their supremacy on the grandest stage of Jamaican high school athletics.

In fact, the final day of competition was nothing short of dramatic. Heading into the last two events, Hydel held an 11-point lead over Edwin Allen, but the defending champions were not going down without a fight.

Edwin Allen struck first, winning the Girls’ Sprint Medley Open in 4:04.62, while Alphansus Davis (4:09.73) secured second. Hydel, who initially placed fourth, received a crucial boost when Holmwood Technical was disqualified for an illegal baton exchange, elevating Hydel to third place (4:09.83) and gifting them valuable points.

That result meant that going into the 4x400m relay, Hydel led Edwin Allen by nine points, 265 to 256, and from there, the equation was simple— Edwin Allen needed to win and hope Hydel faltered.

But there would be no such collapse, and despite the frustration Bennett faced with Calabar on the boys' side, the Hydel girls ensured he had something to smile about.

In the ultimate statement of dominance, Hydel’s 4x400m team left no room for doubt, as they produced a commanding victory in 3:33.88 to put the perfect exclamation point on a championship-winning performance.

Edwin Allen (3:38.78) took second, while Holmwood Technical (3:38.85) finished third—mirroring the final team standings as Hydel (277 points) took the title, Edwin Allen (266 points) settled for second, and Holmwood Technical (230.5 points) rounded out the podium.

St Jago (149 points) and Immaculate Conception (100 points) completed the top five on the standing.

Photo: Marlon Reid/Loop News.