More than 300 youngsters took part in the third annual Bank of Bermuda and West End Athletic Club Schools Challenge at the National Sports Centre on Saturday.

The event, made possible with the assistance of the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, involved 24 schools from across the Island, most of whom fielded a full team of 12 athletes.

"It's getting more competitive. Kids really like being active and competing. The most popular period was at the end with the relays when there was a heightened level of excitement," said Anthony Raynor, meet director.

The meet was electronically timed by Finishlynx operator Dwight Robins, who flew in especially from Atlanta, Georgia.

He has been involved over the past two years as part of an initiative to bring Bermuda up to speed with how meets are staged overseas.

"We are trying to get the kids acclimated to a whole other level," Robins said. "Bermuda will be on board as a country and things will flow much easier."

Clarence Smith, West End Athletic Club president, said the day had been a great success.

"We are all very pleased with the way things went and it has inspired us to go on and make it even better," he said.

One of the highlights of the event was a visit earlier in the week by US track star, Chryste Gaines.

Although she was not at the Sports Centre on Saturday, Smith said a clinic Gaines held for the youngsters had rubbed off, especially in the case of CedarBridge Academy sprinter Kalita Furbert, winner of the 100 metres.

"I said what happened and she said that she had listened to Ms Gaines," said Smith.

"She was inspired, she changed some things that we had been trying to tell her all along. That's what happens, it's like Tiger Woods telling a young golfer, you pay more attention."

Full meet results

See Scoreboard