Soufriere Athletic Club Dominates Independence Games

Athletes and well-wishers descended on Soufriere, commonly known as Sulphur City, for the annual hosting of the Saint Lucia Independence Games, held on Friday and Saturday. 

Sixteen clubs from across the island battled for glory in various track disciplines, with athletes striving to make history in front of a hearty yet moderately sized crowd.

When the final racer crossed the finish line, Soufriere Athletic Club emerged as the most dominant team, sweeping multiple sprint and relay events and finishing with a total of 12 honours. Shelton St Rose (Soufriere) was the standout athlete, winning both the 100m and 200m open events. Casya Paul (Pacesetters) excelled in the women’s sprint categories.

Following the event, St Lucia Times caught up with the President of the Saint Lucia Athletics Association, Dora Henry, to discuss the overall management of the event. She highlighted the time and effort administrators invested in organising the competition.

“This is one of the prestigious meets for the year, so the executive went full throttle to ensure that we had all things in order for the execution of the meet,” Henry said.

The event also received high praise from Cuthbert Modeste, better known as Twa Tin Ne, who is now recognised both locally and internationally for his contributions to the athletic success of Saint Lucia’s Olympic champion, Julien Alfred. Modeste, who closely observed the meet over the two days, stressed the importance of discipline and support for athletic development.

“We have some talent, alright. But our athletes have to be disciplined. Discipline is the key. They might have that talent, but since they’re not disciplined, they’re not going far. So I’m urging them and I’m begging them to be disciplined,” he noted.

The full results from the games are as follows:

Final Medal Count per Club

Event Medals

Men’s Events (Open)

100m Dash

🥇 Shelton St. Rose (Soufriere Athletic) – 10.44s
🥈 Stephan Charles (Nightriders) – 10.60s
🥉 August Alexander (Elite) – 10.61s

200m Dash

🥇 Shelton St. Rose (Soufriere Athletic) – 21.71s
🥈 Riyam Edward (Choiseul) – 22.29s
🥉 Cody Simeon (Nightriders) – 22.36s

400m Dash

🥇 Kenrick James (Sprint Tech) – 48.72s
🥈 Joaqwan Alexander (Soufriere Athletic) – 48.99s
🥉 Immanuel Francis (SP Survivors) – 49.83s

800m Run

🥇 Benique Man (Pacesetters) – 2:00.90
🥈 Evann John (SP Survivors) – 2:02.69
🥉 Johanus Gustave (Soufriere Athletic) – 2:05.57

1500m Run

🥇 Benique Man (Pacesetters) – 4:23.33
🥈 Omarion Edwin (SP Survivors) – 4:25.54
🥉 Donson Stanley (Soufriere Athletic) – 4:40.20

5000m Run

🥇 Donson Stanley (Soufriere Athletic) – 18:43.73
🥈 Derrell Albert (Choiseul) – 19:48.92
🥉 Jemal Cadette (Soufriere Athletic) – 20:22.54

Men’s 4x100m Relay

🥇 Soufriere Athletic Club – 43.06s
🥈 SP Survivors – 43.28s
🥉 Nightriders – 44.59s

Men’s 4x400m Relay

🥇 Soufriere Athletic Club – 3:29.24
🥈 SP Survivors – 3:29.75
🥉 Saint Lucia Sports Academy – 3:37.36

Women’s Events (Open)

100m Dash

🥇 Malaika George (Rockets Athletic)
🥈 Ella Prospere (SP Survivors)
🥉 Not Available

200m Dash

🥇 Casya Paul (Pacesetters) – 25.79s
🥈 Destinee Cenac (Morne Stars) – 26.17s
🥉 Gabrielle Facey (SP Survivors) – 26.55s

400m Dash

🥇 Casya Paul (Pacesetters) – 1:00.66
🥈 Maiya Landers (Pacesetters) – 1:00.93
🥉 Gabrielle Facey (SP Survivors) – 1:02.32

800m Run

🥇 Maiya Landers (Pacesetters) – 2:24.47
🥈 Laila Nicholas (Saint Lucia) – 2:40.60
🥉 Shanel Elien (Saint Lucia) – 2:40.66

1500m Run

🥇 Shanel Elien (Saint Lucia) – 5:58.15
🥈 Sherelle Etienne (Saint Lucia) – 6:05.28
🥉 Devira Joseph (Soufriere Athletic) – 6:54.38

3000m Run

🥇 Selma Nordigarden (Unattached) – 11:04.65
🥈 Kayran Montoute (Soufriere Athletic) – 14:03.16
🥉 Not Available

Women’s 4x100m Relay

🥇 Abilene – 51.47s
🥈 Rockets Athletic Club – 53.50s
🥉 Sprint Tech Athletics – 53.88s

Women’s 4x400m Relay

🥇 Saint Lucia Sports Academy – 4:19.97
🥈 Abilene – 4:37.28
🥉 Rockets Athletic Club – 4:38.12