Carr looking for impact from small Wolmer’s team

Head coach of Wolmer’s Girls Michael Carr believes that they will make their presence felt at this year’s ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Athletics Championships (Champs), despite having a relatively small squad heading into the marquee event.

The championships are scheduled for March 24–28 at the National Stadium, where the Heroes Circle-based institution will aim to build on last season’s performance, when they amassed 128.5 points to finish fifth behind champions Hydel, who won with 277.

“People will know that we are around. We might not be kicking down doors and stuff like that, but they will know that we are there,” Carr said.

“We might not have a big team, but I think we have a little quality that will make our presence felt when it matters most.”

Carr highlighted that the team’s strategy is to maximise its scoring opportunities by qualifying as many athletes as possible for finals across multiple disciplines.

“There are only eight lanes, and so we are going to try and occupy as many of them in the finals and at the end of the day, hopefully, we can maintain our position,” he noted.

“Our aim is to stay in the top 10 at this point in time. We should be able to score in the jumps and throws; the hurdles; right across the board; and in the sprints; and if we do that then we should be good.”

While Carr admits preparations have been mixed, he remains cautiously optimistic about his team’s readiness.

“The preparations have been good and bad. Sometimes it’s not just circumstances but the athletes themselves. Sometimes I find they are not putting in some of the work that they should be putting in on a serious note,” he said.

“But overall the preparations have been fair, not as bad as some of those from the western part of the island. There are some of them that I would like to see a little more from, but what can I do?

“I tell everybody at all times that time lost can never be regained, and let’s hope that when it matters most, they can come to the fore. But again, if you don’t put in, you can’t get out, so I am hoping for the best.”

Wolmer’s Girls’ will also be seeking to overcome the loss of talented sprinter Kaysian Sewell, who transferred to Immaculate Conception High School at the end of last season.

Carr noted that he is confident that several key athletes can deliver valuable points for the team, including captain Tiana Marshall in the hurdles, Natrece East, Shamara Chin, Akeelah Bell in the sprints, and Odaina Creary in the hurdles and jumps.