Neriah Barrett, head coach of Spanish Town Primary’s athletics team, says the school’s performance at the just concluded Central Champs in the INSPORTS/Devon Biscuits All-Island Primary School Athletics Championships, will serve as a motivating factor for the team, going into the national finals later this month.

On Wednesday, Spanish Town Primary emerged winners of Central Champs with 355.50 points, ahead of Naggo Head Primary, Greater Portmore Primary, St Johns Primary and Ascot Primary (who completed the top 5).

“We attribute the team’s performance to consistency. They did what they had to do, and just going out there to do well was their focus. This win will no doubt help to boost their morale and to also encourage them to continue to do well,” Barrett said in a media release.

Barrett said that 68 students represented the institution at the event. He thanked the team and the other members of his staff whom he said contributed to the win.

“I feel very good and the athletes and the coaching staff are ecstatic about what happened here today. I have to give thanks to my principal, my coaching staff and the teachers. They all worked very hard,” said the 14-year coaching veteran.

This is Spanish Town Primary’s second Central Champs title.

Devon Biscuits, the competition's title sponsor, not only provided cash prizes and gift bags with tokens to the winning school but also to the top-performing boy and girl.

It was a three-way tie in the female category between Gabrielle Marshall of Naggo Head Primary, Kyra Williams of Davis Primary and Niesha Campbell of Ascot Primary.

Meanwhile, for the boys, Kellan Harris of Angels Primary, Nathan Brown, Tevaughn Daley and Ricardo Granville of Naggo Head Primary and Kayrone Buckman of Spanish Town Primary, all tied for first place.

“There were several stand-out moments throughout the day and a number of the athletes did themselves and their schools proud by breaking records and displaying great sportsmanship on and off the track. I think that the performances of the athletes took the event to another level, and we want to be there for the athletes in a more meaningful way,” said Sherene Bryan, brand manager at Devon Biscuits.

Up next is the Western Championships which runs from May 8-10th at St Elizabeth Technical High, while Eastern championships will take place from May 14th -16th at Stadium East. The National Finals are set for May 29th -31st at the National Stadium.