Baker leads strong Toco Cross Country team

Otis Baker will lead the charge for defending team winners, Toco Secondary, at the 2017 edition of the Secondary Schools Cross Country and Health Fair at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, today, from 2pm.

Baker will be aiming to take the boys 16 and over 6km crown after he was beaten into second place in 2015 and 2016. The reigning Secondary Schools 5K winner had to settle for second behind Joshua James (Valencia Secondary) in 2015 and then denied by Daniel Gibbs (East Mucurapo Secondary) last year. Baker is part of a 60-member Toco Secondary School team which includes Jamal Goita (second in Boys under 16 4km in 2016) and Cassandra Joseph and Xea Bruce, who were first and second in the girls under 14 division of the Under 16 4km one year ago.

Former Girls Over 18 6km champ, Mickayla Ottley, and last year’s girls open 6km third place finisher, Okelia Williams, are also in the Toco line-up. Boys under 18 bronze medallist in 2016, Valentonio Elder, and Carifta medallists, Tyrell Edwards and Cheziah Phillip, are also listed to compete for the champion school. Reigning boys under 16 4km victor, Matthew Pulchan, is among six registered to compete from Point Fortin West Secondary. Matelot Community College, Valencia Secondary, Arima Central Secondary, ASJA Boys College-San Fernando, Maple Leaf International, Fatima College and St Mary’s College are among the schools that registered early for the Cross-Country and Health Fair. Two time girls under 16 4km winner Joanna Rogers and 2016 third place finisher Caliyah Wallace, both of Francois Girls College, are expected to face the starter along with sprinter Rae-Ann Serville of St. Joseph Convent-Port of Spain. The Cross-Country Run and Health Fair is the first event on the calendar of the Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Track and Field Association (TTSSTFA). Students from public and private secondary schools across the country will match strides in the two age divisions (Under 16 and 16 & Over).