From left: Julian Forte (Wolmer's), Jahzeel Murphy (Bridgeport) and Delano Williams (Munro). - file

COME Friday at 7:55 p.m., one of the stellar events of the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Championships the Class One boys 100 metres final, will get under way.

Many questions will be answered as the likes of Bridgeport High's Jahzeel Murphy, Wolmer's Boys' pair of Odean Skeen and Julian Forte and Munro College's Delano Williams will be hoping to be crowned the fastest male high-school sprinter this year.

After being out of competition for the most of last season due to a hamstring injury, Murphy has shown that he is getting back to top form and has been consistent all season in both the 100 and 200 metres with his only defeat coming at the Carifta Trials where he clocked 10.50 seconds to finish behind former Old Harbour High student Kemar Bailey-Cole who won in 10.41 seconds.

Murphy's time, a season best, came against a negative 1.1 metres per second wind.

He could have gone faster as he eased near the end.

legitimate contender

At the Western Championships in Montego Bay, Williams, a Turks and Caicos native, sent out a strong message to all his rivals that he will be ready at Champs when he sprinted to two record breaking performances in winning the Class One 100 metres in 10.51 seconds and the 200 metres in 20.73. The Neil Harrison-coached athlete is a legitimate contender here and could surprise Murphy.

Both Wolmer's Boys' athletes have not competed regularly this season due to injuries. Forte has only competed in the 100 metres once. He ran in the preliminary round at the Carifta Trials where he did 10.90 seconds in a negative wind speed of 3.2 metres per second but he did not report for the final. His teammate, Skeen, who had a golden year last year. He took the Class Two sprint double and ended the season at the World Youth Olympic Games where he clocked a personal best 10.42 seconds to win gold in the 100 metres.

Skeen is yet to face the starter in the 100 metres this season but his coach could be holding back and waiting for the right moment which could be this Friday as his charge, if fully fit, could go all the way.

Murphy will be hard to beat but with Williams in terrific form and Wolmer's duo of Forte and Skeen set to hit top form after injury, a blanket finish could be in store for spectators.

Both Murphy and Williams should also have a battle royal in the 200 metres. Williams has shown remarkable improvement in the half-lap event and is expected to put severe pressure on Murphy and could surprise the Bridgeport High athlete.