ON day four of the 58th edition of the National Schools Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships, the field athletes stole the show, particularly in the high jump events as three records fell in the Male U-20, U-12 and Female U-10 categories respectively.

In a crowd-appreciated effort, 19-year-old Okemi Porter of District 5 (West Coast Berbice), a student of the Mahaicony Technical Institute on his debut at Nationals, had a best-jump of 1.79m, bettering Yannick Walcott’s 2017 record of 1.74m.

Porter, who said that as his district had no jumpers he volunteered to do the event, first equalled Walcott’s record, then jumped 1.77m before closing off at 1.79m, to loud cheers from the large crowd.

District 4’s Dejuan Grant set a new record of 1.41m in the Male U-12 category, bettering District One’s Steve Semple who had 1.39m last year.

Meanwhile, in the Girls U-10 category, District One’s (North west District) Jada La Cruz improved her 2017 record of 1.15m by setting 1.17m this year.

Another field event record was set in the U-16 Boys Long Jump as Corentyne’s (District 6) Mellon Lowenfield recorded a best leap of 6.47m in the pit; up to press time the full results of that event was unavailable.

Due to the Guyana Teacher’s Union lack of organisational skills, official times for the 100m sprint events were unavailable up to press time. However, in the Girls 800m U-20 finals, Serena Williams of District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) took Gold while District 13’s (South Georgetown) Leanna Charles copped Silver with Donell Mathison of District 5 (West Coast Berbice) settling for Bronze.

In the 800m U-18 Boys race, District 5’s Courtley Bobb upset Murphy Nash of District 10 to claim Gold while Darrell Davis of District 6 (Corentyne) copped Bronze.

In the 800m U-18 Girls final, Tia Azore (District 10) was a picture of composure as she beat Jasmine Assanah of District 12 (East Georgetown) to Gold while Aaliyah Headley of District 4 (East Coast Demerara) took Bronze.

Over in the U-16 Boys 800m, District 12’s Cordel Charles ran the perfect race to cop Gold while Matthew Gordon (District 5) had to settle for silver and Ogle Benel (District 11) bronze.

Amid much fanfare, Shane Haynes (District 10) managed to hold off Alwyn Prince (District 4) to ensure that the Gold medal remained in District 10 while North Georgetown’s (District 11) Anthony Griffith had to settle for Bronze.

On the distaff side of the 100m U-20 finals, there were no surprises as District 3’s (West Demerara) Tonya Rollins steamrolled her opponents to claim gold, while Tiea Lowe (District 12) copped Silver and District 14’s Aaliyah Reid settled for bronze.

Action continues today at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, on the West Coast of Demerara with the 200m heats and 1500m finals.