Rogers, Actille hit CARIFTA marks

Rain and high winds did little to dampen the ardour of Saint Lucia’s top young athletes as the Saint Lucia Athletics Association held track events and horizontal jumps last weekend as part of its National Junior Championships and CARIFTA Trials.

Syesha Rogers and Jermario Actille were among the athletes who recorded qualifying marks for the regional track and field championships, to be held over Easter weekend in Grenada.

Rogers of Morne Stars Athletics Club won the Under-20 girls’ long jump, achieving career-best and CARIFTA qualifying marks despite swirling winds. After fouling a big jump, she posted legal jumps of 5.75m and 5.70m before concluding her day. She joins teammate Destinee Cenac in meeting SLAA standards.

Actille excelled in the 100m Under-17, where he has been dominant this season, though he benefited greatly from the wind. A student at Beanefield Comprehensive, the Cedar Heights resident competed unattached, running 10.96 in Heat 4 with a 2.7 m/s tailwind, 11.02 in the first semifinal with a 1.4 m/s tailwind, and 10.69 in the final with a 5.7 m/s tailwind.

Barbara-Marie Maximin, Abilene, again made the CARIFTA standard in the Under-17 girls’ long jump with a 5.39m effort, winning by close to a metre.

In Under-17 boys’ events, Joshua Matthews of Sprint Tech won both the 200m (22.98s) and 400m (53.1s). Chaz Alexander of Soufriere took the 800m (2:09.96) and 1500m (4:32.80) titles, while Jemal Cadette kept the 3000m title in Sulphur City with 11:13.68. Sprint Tech won the 4x100m relay. Aj Joseph (Sprint Tech) led long jump (5.74m), and Carrick Edward (Morne Stars) topped triple jump (11.30m).

Among Under-20 boys, Ryan Simeon of Nightriders ran 21.47 in the 200m and 10.66 in the 100m, both with strong tailwinds. Joaqwan Alexander of Soufriere clocked 48.79 in the 400m. Evann John (Survivors) won the 800m in 2:04.30, Benique Mann (Pacesetters) took the 1500m in 4:15.75, and Survivors won the 4×400 in 3:33.19. Darvin Forde (Sprint Tech) led long jump (6.69m) and triple jump (13.97m).

Destinee Cenac (Morne Stars) won the Under-17 girls’ 100m in 12.27s. Shaimaelle Durand (Pacesetters) placed second, then won the 200m in 25.90s. Gabrielle Facey (Survivors) secured the 400m title in 1:02.07, Aniyah George (Road Busters) claimed the 800m in 2:37.80, and Kayleigh Landers (Pacesetters) took the 1500m in 5:32.48.

Sierratina Hilaire (Morne Stars) won the Under-20 girls’ 100m in 12.21s. Nyella Cox (Survivors) took the 200m in 25.3s, Ackiaha Weeks (Elite) claimed the 400m in 1:00.28, Abigail Herman (Sprint Tech) won the 800m with 2:41.06, and Clerissa Placide (unattached) claimed the 1500m (5:32.50) and 3000m (13:47.43).

Juvenile athletes also competed: Danielle Alphonse (Pacesetters) won the Under-14 girls’ 50m in 20.54s and Hadassah Jules (Soufriere) the 300m in 46.22s. Miguel Frederick (Pacesetters) edged Evan Sankar (Morne Stars) for the boys’ 150m title (18.96s); Sankar won the 300m in 41.79. Sprint Tech took the mixed 4x100m (55.27), while Morne Stars captured the mixed 4x300m (3:14.88).