Ryon Jones, Star Writer

Most athletes that have made it to the final of any event will be familiar with the pressure that normally accompanies the feat. For the young John Mills runner, Brittney Matthews, this pressure is amplified by the fact that she is running for her family.

"My mother and my grandmother do not have any money; sometimes my mother can hardly find it to send me to school," the diminutive Matthews shared. "One person out of the family must can make it, and I am going to make it and make my family feel proud," she added.

Matthews was named Class One champion girl at the 32nd staging of the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) All-Age and Junior High Athletics Championships, which was held over three days at the National Stadium. This marked the third consecutive year that she has been named champion girl in her class. She took the sprint double; first stopping the clock at 12.60, in winning the 100m, before posting a new meet record time of 25.42 to capture the 200m and anchored her 4X100m relay team to gold.

"I feel marvellous, I expected to win," a beaming Matthews said.

motivation

The 15-year-old earlier this year failed to make the CARIFTA team. She has, however, not allowed that to daunt her desire to represent her country.

"I don't feel any way about not making the (CARIFTA) team, because next year is there and I know I am going to make it next year," the aspiring Wolmer's Girls student said.

"I will be using the disappointment to motivate myself.

"I just want to make my country feel proud, I want to reach the top and run for Jamaica and improve my family life," the Rockfort resident added.

Matthews' performance highlighted her school's march to victory, as they claimed their 17th consecutive lien on the Institute of Sports All-Age and Junior High Athletics Championship and 19th overall.

The Retirement Crescent-based school, which holds the record for the most successive wins at a track and field meet in Jamaica, amassed 584 points over the three days of competition. Windward Road was once again forced to play the role of bride's maid, as they ended with 382 points. The top five were rounded off by Central Branch (246), Louise Bennett Coverley (129) and Cockburn Gardens (111).

The tone for John Mills' victory was set from the first final of the day, the Class One girls' long jump, which was won by Ayesha Champagnie with a record-breaking leap of 5.44m. Champagnie's effort decimated the old mark of 5.28m set last year by Runique Gray.

John Mills did not look back from there, as they dominated the day's proceedings to run out comfortable winners to the delight of their coach, Ransford Spaulding.

"I feel elated and I must give God thanks," Spaulding stated. "The kids really worked hard and they followed the instructions and it paid off; and I must also give credit to the coaching staff," he added.