Saint Lucia’s recent National Junior Track and Field Championships resulted in three new qualifiers for the CARIFTA Games. Key athletes include Jady Emmanuel, Gabrielle Facey, and Joaqwan Alexander. The Saint Lucia Athletics Association praised participants for their dedication and outlined future opportunities for success. The CARIFTA Games will occur over Easter weekend in Trinidad & Tobago, with local competitions facilitating additional qualifications.
Saint Lucia has secured three additional qualifiers for the upcoming CARIFTA Games, following the National Junior Track and Field Championships held over the weekend at Soufriere Stadium. This two-day event showcased the talents of many young athletes, further solidifying the nation’s athletic capabilities.
Jady Emmanuel proved her prowess by winning the Under-17 girls’ 100m, achieving a personal best time of 11.66 seconds. In addition to this, she has also met the standards for the Under-17 long jump, showcasing her versatility as an athlete representing Choiseul Secondary School.
Gabrielle Facey emerged victorious in the Under-17 girls’ 400m, recording a time of 58.25 seconds, surpassing the qualifying standard of 58.40 seconds. Another promising athlete, Destinee Cenac from Morne Stars, qualified in the high jump, consistently reaching a height of 1.60m.
In the Under-17 boys’ category, Terrick Plummer clocked 10.87 seconds in the 100m, meeting the qualifying time of 10.99 seconds. Ricardo Mann and DeAndre Isidore, competing in the 400m hurdles, also qualified, significantly enhancing the team’s prospects for the games.
Joaqwan Alexander performed impressively, finishing the Under-20 boys’ 400m in 48.68 seconds, just below the qualifying standard. He will be joined by Jamaica-based Denzel Phillips, a double medallist who holds national junior records in shot put and discus throw, making him a formidable competitor.
The senior girls’ lineup is expected to feature USA-based athletes Naomi London and Naya Jules, along with long jump qualifier Syesha Rogers. London, a former double sprint medallist, has only competed twice in 2024, while Jules, a two-time CARIFTA champion, aims for her third consecutive gold in pole vault.
The Saint Lucia Athletics Association expressed appreciation for the athletes’ dedication, indicating their commitment to nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for success on both local and international stages. Numerous athletes are keenly anticipating selection for the Games, to be held over Easter weekend in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. Local competitors will also be vying for positions in the upcoming Island Champs qualifiers and finals this week.
The recent National Junior Track and Field Championships in Saint Lucia have led to an impressive increase in qualifiers for the CARIFTA Games, highlighting the emerging talent in the region. With notable performances from athletes such as Jady Emmanuel, Gabrielle Facey, and Joaqwan Alexander, the nation’s prospects look promising. The SLAA’s commitment to supporting young athletes bodes well for future competitions, while the upcoming events create further opportunities for athletes to secure their spots on the team.
Original Source: stluciatimes.com
