St. Peter’s, A. Rathnayaka CC shine again

St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya and A. Rathnayaka CC Walala maintained their supremacy by clinching yet another All-Island Schools title each: this time winning the Boys’ and Girls’ Champions titles respectively in the Schools Relay Carnival 2019 concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium .

The two schools, who had also earlier won the Overall Boys’ and Girls’ titles in the Sir John Tarbat Senior Championship just over a week ago at the same venue, kept their reputations and track records intact as they defended the Boys’ and Girls’ titles won at the 2018 edition of the Relay Carnival held at Badulla.

St. Peter’s collected 82 points, 37 points ahead of runners-up in the Boys’ category, A. Rathnayaka CC Walala; while in the Girls’ category A. Rathnayaka CC collected 125 points, 46 points ahead of runners-up Holy Cross College Gampaha. A. Rathnayaka CC also clinched the Mixed Schools title with 180 points, beating runners-up Dharmapala College (55) by 125 points.

A total of 34 records were set during the 3-day championship, with 17 records each in the Boys’ and Girls’ relays. The Boys’ Under-14 team from Rahula College Matara set three records in the 4x50m, 4x100m and 4x200m events, while the Boys’ Under-18 team from St. Peter’s set three records in the 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m relays, and the Boys’ Under-16 team from Sir John Kothalawala College Kurunegala also set three records in the 4x200m, 4x400m and medley relay events.

In the Girls’ category, the Girls’ Under-14 team from Musaeus College shone with three records in the 4x50m, 4x100m and 4x200m events, but were unfortunately denied the gold medal in the 4x200m relay despite setting a new meet record in the semifinal and winning the final with another meet record time: being disqualified due to an infraction of the tournament rules when their third lap runner inadvertently strayed into the adjoining lane, even though the violation did not result in any advantage.

In other events, A. Rathnayaka CC exerted total dominance as they won all the Under-16 relays with four new records in the 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m and medley relays.

The Girls’ Under-20 team from Gateway International anchored by Shelinda Jansen also excelled in the short distance relays, winning gold medals in the 4x100m, 4x200m and medley relays while setting two records in the 4x200m and medley relays.

Overall Boys’ Championship:

1. St. Peter’s College Colombo (82 points) 2. A. Rathnayaka CC Walala (55 points) 3. St. Benedict’s College Kotahena (45 points)

Overall Girls’ Championship:

1. A. Rathnayaka CC Walala (125 points) 2. Holy Cross College Gampaha (79 points) 3. Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya (43 points)

Mixed Schools Championship: 1. A. Rathnayaka CC Walala (180 points) 2. Dhampala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya (55 points) 3. Sir John Kothalawala MV Kurunegala (53 points)

Age Group Championship:

Boys

Under-12: Science College Mt. Lavinia

Under-14: Rahula College Matara

Under-16: Sir John Kothalawala MV Kurunegala

Under-18: St. Benedict’s College Kotahena

Under-20: St. Peter’s College Colombo

Girls

Under-12: Convent of Our Lady of Victories Moratuwa

Under-14: Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya

Under-16: A. Rathnayaka CC Walala

Under-18: A. Rathnayaka CC Walala

Under-20: A. Rathnayaka CC Walala