by Curlan Campbell
- SAASS are 2024 Republic Bank Intercol Boys’ division champions
- SAASS has won 24 Intercol titles to date
- 17-year-old Joshim Sylvester won gold in 200, 400, and 800 metres
It was a big win for the big parish, as fans took to the streets of Grenville on Thursday, 14 March, to celebrate champions St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS) in the Boys’ division of the 2024 Republic Bank Intercol Championship. The final score was 228.50: 215 in favour of SAASS against their closest rivals, Grenada Boys’ Secondary School (GBSS). St David’s Catholic Secondary School (SDCSS) placed third with 116 points.
In the Girls’ division, St David’s Catholic Secondary secured the first position at the end of the 3-day athletics event with 205.50 points. Anglican High School finished second with 169.80 points, while SAASS came in third with 101.50 points.
As customary after every win, a massive motorcade was staged around the town to celebrate their victory, joined by neighbouring schools, St Joseph’s Convent Grenville (SJCG), Grenada Christian Academy and Grenville Secondary School. In massive celebrations in Grenville, fans, students, and athletes took to the streets to revel in their team’s triumph.
This year’s championship slogan “24 in 24” represented a significant milestone for SAASS. According to Dianne Abel Jeffery, Principal, SAASS has won 24 Intercol titles to date; of these, 21 were in the male division. This victory is especially significant, as the school is celebrating its 80th anniversary of establishment by its first principal S H Graham in 1944.
“I must say thanks to our athletes. They were really determined to get this win. And they have gone out, and they’ve done their best,” Jeffery said. “I also must say thanks to the coaches and the management team, the team that I’ve managed that has managed the athletes throughout. They have done the work. They have encouraged, they have motivated, they have put in everything they could have to get all that output that we have so that we can celebrate today.”
Coaches Calliste Leon and Adjit Simon were elated after many months of preparations for the 2024 Intercol Championship. NOW Grenada spoke with Leon, who shared his thoughts on the outcome of the games after executing their strategy almost flawlessly. “Based on the point system over the years, it’s all about getting 2 athletes into the finals. So we go in with that same strategy looking to get 2 athletes per event, and we were able to do that in a better way than in previous years. This year we had the majority of our athletes qualified so that we were sure to get a point or 2 when it comes to final results,” Leon said.
After securing the victory, Leon is focused on reviewing the school’s strategy and making necessary adjustments to ensure they keep the trophy in the Big Parish. He expressed gratitude to all other schools that joined the celebration, as their victory was for the entire parish.
“Winning for St Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School is not just for SAASS, because we had Grenada Christain Academy, we had St Joseph’s Convent Grenville (SJCG) and Grenville Secondary School. They are all 3 of the secondary schools in the parish, so we represent those 3 schools because it is a St Andrew’s affair. When SAASS wins, the whole parish wins,” he said.
Among the shining athletes taking home medals was 17-year-old Joshim Sylvester, who won 3 gold medals in the 200, 400, and 800 metres. The young athlete will compete in the upcoming Carfita Games in the 400 metre and 4×400 metre relay. “To be honest, I wasn’t scared of anything. I went into the games confidently and came out victorious. I have been an athlete for a year and some months now, and my favourite event is the 400 m because I have a lot of stamina for the long-distance races,” he said.
Golden Jr Joseph, an athlete who specialised in the long jump, triple Jump, and 110-metre hurdles, took home 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in the long jump, hurdles, and triple jump, respectively. Joseph was pleased with his overall performance after setting a personal best in the long jump of 6.10 metres, the triple jump of 12.89 metres, and a personal best of 16.69 seconds in the hurdles.
His focus has now shifted to the Carifta Games as he aims to become the world’s best long jumper. “I started in form 2. That’s when I started doing all my events, mainly long jump, which is one of my favourite events. I plan to be one of the best long jumpers and triple jumpers and also the hurdler in the world And to be part of the Olympics someday,” Joseph said.
