The Berkeley Institute captured a fifth title on the spin when the Senior Schools Track and Field Championships concluded at Flora Duffy Stadium on Friday night.

Berkeley accumulated 699.50 points on their way to another triumph. Saltus Grammar School finished in second on 432 with Warwick Academy finishing third on 300.33.

Berkeley were crowned overall girls winners with 341.50 points, ahead of Saltus with 209 and Bermuda High School on 182 . A total of 358 secured the boys trophy ahead of Saltus (223) and Warwick (175).

Kia Burchall, the Berkeley physical education and health teacher, attributed the school’s dominance to commitment from the athletes.

“It’s a rewarding experience, especially because we put so much effort into preparation,” Burchall told The Royal Gazette.

“When it comes to putting teams together, Berkeley always shows up. I don’t have to beg my students to do things or to be in events because they want to do it, I ask them, they say yes and they show up.

“The dominance came down to the culture of the school. Berkeley is unique and once you bleed Berkeley, you bleed green and gold for life.”

A number of Berkeley athletes missed the championships as they are part of the Bermuda under-17 women’s football team in Costa Rica.

“We have some of our girls away with the national under-17 football team,” Burchall said.

“Daley Outerbridge would have been here participating and Priya Dill, Sydney Jenkins and Tayte Glasgow are the others.”

Jaeda Grant, of Saltus, shared the over-16 championship girl trophy with Lashee Jones, from Berkeley. Grant was the winner in the 800 metres, 3,000 and 1,500, while Jones swept to gold in the sprinting trifecta of 100, 200 and 400.

For Grant, it was the fourth year in a row that the 17-year-old has won the championship.

“It feels bittersweet because it’s my last time being able to get this opportunity,” Grant said.

“I’m very excited and proud of myself. The finish is always the best for me, I love the adrenalin rush.”

Surii Russell, from Bermuda Institute, bagged gold in the 800 and 400, and silver in the 200, with those efforts winning him the over-16 championship.

“I came prepared and really enjoyed my three races,” Russell said.

“I got a personal best of 23.14 in the 200 when I came second. But I didn’t let that bring me down as I came first in the 400 and the 800.

“I finished second in the 800 preliminaries because Jackson Langley had pushed past me in the last 300. In the finals I did what he did, I stayed behind them and then I just pushed through them in the 300 and came first.”

Riana Robinson, from Saltus, was named under-16 champion after winning the 800 and 1,500 events, while finishing second in the 3,000.

“I’m really happy to win the U16 champion girl title because it’s my first time winning it at the interschool level,” Robinson said.

“I worked hard and did my best, so it feels great to see my efforts pay off. It was fun getting to compete and spend time with my running friends from other schools.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my training and preparing myself for the upcoming Carifta Games.”

Chaz Edmead, of Saltus, scored maximum points in the under-16 division, winning the long jump, high jump and triple jump events. He walked away crowned champion boy.

“I didn’t win it last year but I was close, so winning this year was a good achievement for me and I hope to get many more,” Edmead said.

“I think my drive won it for me because sometimes it gets hard. In the long jump, I was in second place the whole time and in my last jump I pushed through and won, so I think it’s just pushing my hardest and trying my best.”

Some of the outstanding performances on the night came from Amara Samuels, from Bermuda High School for Girls, who set the track on fire by cruising to victory in the 100 and 200 sprint double.

Berkeley's Kelise Wade collected each colour medal after winning the 400, finishing second in the 800 and third in the 200.

Amir Weller also starred, as he secured the 100 and 200 metres, while finishing second in the 400.

Sanchez Smith, from Saltus, followed up his record breaking exploits in the 3,000, with two runners-up finishes in the 800 and 1,500.

The Berkeley pair of Hurven Burgess, who won 200 metres gold while finishing second in the 100 and 400 and Jahir Smith-Mora, who added silvers in the javelin and shot put to his discus gold, were the other outstanding performers.

Warwick Academy’s Jackson Langley added to the silver he won in the 3,000 on Wednesday with gold in the 1,500 and silver in the 800.

The 1,500 final was a rematch of the 3,000 contest between Langley and Gianluca Bortoli. Langley ran a calculated race this time around to get the better of his schoolmate.

“I’m super happy about it,” Langley said.

“Luca and I have a really good dynamic going back and forth. He pushes me immensely and I love racing against him. I was very happy to win, but more importantly I value the competition from Luca.

“On Wednesday I went out very fast in the 3,000. It was an unwise decision from me and I paid the price, but onwards and upwards you learn from the mistakes.”

Bermuda’s top female sprinter Caitlyn Bobb, who is heading to Katowice, Poland, for the Indoor World Championships this week, was kept busy on Wednesday and Friday handing out medals to the winners.

“It’s amazing being able to represent my country then come back to see the high school scene here,” Bobb said.

“It was nice interacting with some of the children that follow me on Instagram and relate with them. Really just to get to show my face and know that I’m not a stranger

“I saw a couple of promising athletes over the two days. It was really nice to be able to see them.”