6 NEW YORK, NY: F ORTY-FIVE YEARS after the concept of a track and field club was realised on the campus of Cornwall College (CC) High School in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the organisation is planning a reception to recognise some of the individuals and businesses that have and continue to support its mission. In October, 1977, senior students at the school who competed successfully at the national ‘Girls and Boys’Champs’, suddenly realised that they would soon ‘age out’ of the system with nowhere to continue doing what they love track and field athletics. They reasoned that a club would be a good option. Individuals including Glen Brown (teacher), Audrey Blake (teacher), Aubrey Campbell, Paul Tomlinson, Clement Bowen, and Paul East, huddled together in one of the dormitories on campus and decided then on the formation of the Montego Bay Comets Athletics Club. Fast-forward to 2023 and some of those individuals who provided the inspiration and the resources will be spotlighted at a reception at the Meet Conference Centre, Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay, on Saturday, July 15. “We are extending an invitation to all of Montego Bay and Jamaica ..., to come out and celebrate with us our contribution to Jamaica’s track and field development these past four and a half decades,” offered Andrene Thomas-Brutus, chair of the planning committee and a former athlete at St James High School. The club/organisation will celebrate the fact that five months after it was set up, it staged its first development meet at CC, on the second Saturday of February in 1978. That meet would become the Comets Relays, which would become the Coca Cola Comets Relays, which would become the Western Relays – now the MiloWestern Relays, a significant part of the national development initiative. The Catherine Hall stadium would be seen as a validation of the club’s early mission. At the awards reception which will also serve as a reunion, patrons will be treated to an entertainment segment headlined by jazz soloist Myrna Hague and the True Tribute Ensemble, led by LeRoy Graham on saxophone. The presentation of awards will be done by Aubrey Campbell, one of the founders. Tickets for the event will go on sale at selected outlets in Montego Bay as of Monday, May 8. Comets Track Club to mark milestone with reception in MoBay Myrna Hague. Andrene Thomas – Brutus, Committee Chair-Comets Club Anniversary Celebration. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS THE MONTHLY GLEANER | MAY 4 - JUNE 7, 2023 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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