Two Saint Lucian athletes set school records in US collegiate track and field over the weekend, with one performance also establishing a new national mark. Naya Jules set the women’s pole vault mark, while Carl Drakes broke through in the men’s 300m.
Making her debut for Garden City Community College in Kansas, 18‑year‑old Jules cleared 3.05 metres, setting both a school record and a Saint Lucia national record in the pole vault.
The Babonneau native had previously established a CARIFTA and national record of 3.00 metres at Hasely Crawford Stadium in 2025.
Jules competed at the Friends First Chance Qualifier in Wichita and was ninth overall in pole vault. She also competed in 60m hurdles, running 10.93 seconds for 17th place.
At the VCU Indoor Invitational, meanwhile, Drakes, 24, continued to build on his accolades with the Coppin State University Eagles. He finished a narrow second in the men’s 300m in a school-record 33.88 seconds. He was also just off his personal best in the 60m, clocking 6.70 for fourth.
Also at VCU, Asa Francis was fourth in the men’s 400m (49:01) and 11th in the mile (4:29.60). Francis lowered his 1000m national record to 2:28.66 back in December.
There was also an encouraging indoor debut for 18-year-old Jasmine Stiede, running at the Friends First Chance Qualifier for the Wichita State Shockers. The middle distance freshman clocked 2:25.68 for third in the women’s 800m.
At the Lewis vs Purdue Northwest meet in Romeoville, Illinois, a pair of Saint Lucian sprinters shone for Lewis. In the men’s 55m, freshman Cagini Pilgrim was first (6.45) and senior Tyler Toussaint third (6.51).
East Stroudsburg University senior Miguel Charlery ran 6.93 for fifth in the men’s 60m at the West Point Open in New York.
Nebia Montrope made her indoor 800m debut for Essex Community College, finishing 14th in 2:34.25 at the St Thomas Aquinas Spartan Invitational.
