GRENVILLE – The St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (S.A.A.S.S), the defending champion in the male division of the INTERCOL Games, yesterday staged a very successful Inter-House sports meeting at the Progress Park sporting facility inside the big parish of St. Andrew. The four houses that competed against each other for athletic supremacy in 2009 were Julien’s House (red), Layne’s House (gold), Nash’s House (blue) and Pigott’s House (green). The school commenced the day with its traditional march around the town of Grenville. The various houses, dressed in their colors and waving their banners and other paraphernalia paraded through the streets of the town, much to the adulation and appreciation of the large crowds of pedestrians, school children, corporate citizens and patrons that lined both sides of the streets to behold the spectacle. The students then marched up to Progress Park for the commencement of the athletic events. The sports was declared open by the Minister of Sports, Hon. Patrick Simmons, a former Principal, teacher and athlete of the school. He also started the first race for the day – the 1500m junior girls, which was won by Kishell Ruben of Nash House (blue). In spite of the inclement weather and the occasional interruptions brought about by the rain, approximately 2,500 persons turned out at Progress Park to see the day’s 46 events through. As usual, the athletes all gave good accounts of themselves and were able to generate excitement among the spectators. Although only one record was broken, the situation could have been very different had the athletes been running in an enclosed facility with weaker headwinds. Trish Bartholomew’s 2002 record of 26.5 secs. in the 200m for Junior Girls was shattered by upcoming female sensation, Nickhalia John, who establish a new time of 26.0 secs. Some of the athletes that stood out yesterday and seem to have a bright future ahead of them in track and field are: * Marsha Thomas (Layne House) – Sub-Junior Girls Champion * Jimmel Richards (Layne House) – Sub Junior Boys’ Champ * Nickhalia John (Nash House) – Junior Girls’ Champ * Che` Mason (Julien) – Junior Boy’s Champ * Shereen Beggs (Pigott House) – Senior Girls’ Champ * Akim Bowen (Nash House) – Senior Boy’s Champ The Victor Ludorum for 2009 was Che` Mason while the Victrix Ludorum was Shereen Beggs. Pigott’s House won the sports meeting with a total of 637 points followed Nash House with 605 points, Julien’s House with 578.5 points and Layne House with 446 points. One of the major sponsors for this year’s sports meeting was the S.A.A.S.S Alumni Association of New York, who provided the medals and trophies for the outstanding athletes. Over the years, the association – comprised of past pupils of the school living in the USA, especially the New York area - has been playing an active role in the overall development of the school. The dedicated members rally together from time to time to make much needed resources available to the staff and students of the school. The staff and students of the school now have their eyes focused on the upcoming INTERCOL games and it is expected that the team for the games will be selected soon and the necessary training will begin with a view to once again successfully defend its INTERCOL title. (Photos of yesterday's sports meeting can be viewed at the PHOTOS section of Inside Grenada) By Wallace J.A INSIDE GRENADA NEWS