Anastasia Le-Roy (right) of G.C. Foster College winning the women's 200 metres in 23.29 seconds at G.C. Foster College in Spanish Town. University of Technology's Anneisha McLaughlin (left) was second in 23.32. - Ricardo Makyn

AFTER taking a back seat for years to high school athletes at weekly Development meets, local college athletes look set to have their turn, as they will contest two circuit meets leading up to the March 25-26 Intercollegiate Track and Field Championships, to be held at the UWI Usain Bolt track.

The decision was reached following a recent meeting hosted by Intercol chairman of track and field, Rashid Hall, of the University of West Indies, and Intercol President Anthony Davis, sports director of the University of Technology.

finest senior athletes

The circuit meets, which take a Grand Prix format, will see collegiate athletes compete in several track and field events. The meet will have its first staging at the UWI Usain Bolt track on Saturday February 19. The meet, which will begin at 11 a.m. and expected to end at 4 p.m, will showcase some of the country's finest senior athletes. Intercol has produced some 20 national representatives over the past season.

Several of the athletes include the likes of the University of Technology's Anneisha McLaughlin, Carrie Russell, Kimmari Roache and G.C. Foster College's Anastasia Leroy, Rasheed Dwyer and Audria Segree.

Events down to be contested will be 100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump, high jump, shot put, 2000m steeplechase and 4x100 and 4x400 metres relays. All events will be open, as the aim is to focus on the intercollegiate athletes. However, according to Davis, high school athletes will not be left out.

"While the focus is on the intercollegiate athletes, invitations will be sent to high school athletes, giving them the opportunity to enter their Class-One athletes at the meets. They will run in the open sections, but we will try to place them in separate heats as much as possible," said Davis.

Davis also believes it to be an opportunity for high school athletes to see what is going on in the college system and will opt to stay home and continue their education.

balanced education

"We want our kids to realise that we have a system here in Jamaica and instead of going overseas, they can attend local college institutions and get a good education. We have some of the best coaches in the world in our system and this guarantees them a balanced education," concluded Davis.

At a recent function, held at the campus of the University of Technology, Intercol Sports were given a new home to run the affairs of collegiate sports. At the function, Davis also announced that a team of 26 athletes and officials will be sent to the World University Games to be held in China.