Ryon Jones, Star Writer

The rivalry over the years between Jamaica College (JC) and Kingston College (KC) is well documented, especially in track and field with both traditionally locking horns at the annual Boys and Girls' Championship. A new instalment between two athletes - Raje Ferron, who is attending KC, and Odane Watt, who intends to attend JC next year, could be on the horizon.

Last year, Ferron clocked 23.78 seconds to win the Under-15 boys' 200m at the Jamaica Teachers' Association/Sagicor National Primary, All-Age and Junior High Schools Athletic Championships, with Watt finishing second.

At the 28th staging of the two-day meet, which ended yesterday at the National Stadium, it was Watt's turn to rule the roost.

Watt, who represented St Andrew, captured the double, winning the boys' 200m and 400m. The Under-15 male champion boy won the 200m in a smart 23.87 seconds. Kingston's Mikine McGaw, 24.80, and St Mary's Orayne Williams, 24.82, finished second and third, respectively.

Watt was even more impressive in the 400m, which he won in 52.33 seconds to eclipse the old record of 53.28 set by Rohan Walker in 2009. Rojay Granston of St Elizabeth captured the silver in 54.18, with Portland's Romario Ferron, 54.38, accounting for the bronze.

The 14-year-old was very proud of his performance at the championships, but was disappointed on missing out on the 200m record.

"I set the record in the 400m and I was going for it in the 200m as well, but the 400m took a lot out of me, so that's why I didn't break the 200m record," Watt said after his races.

"Coming into the meet, I expected to win; I have a lot of confidence and I didn't fear anyone.

"Last year, I came first in the 400m, but I missed the record, so this year I came for revenge and broke the record," he added.

final year

With this being his final year at John Mills and also his final year at the parish championships, the youngster is already plotting his future.

"I am looking forward to running at boys and girls' champs, and I am looking forward to running against Ferron again," Watt said.

"He is a younger boy than I am and I don't like when younger boys run and leave me. I was very upset; plus I had put in so much hard training and lost the 200m," he added.

Despite Watt's exploits, he also came out on the losing end at this championship, as his parish had finished second. Portland notched their second hold on the title, as they finished with 374 points to dethrone the two-time defending champions St Andrew, who finished with 365 points. The top five was rounded off by Kingston (202), St Elizabeth (197) and St Catherine (169).