Naya Jules, Denzel Phillips and Destinee Cenac are the featured athletes set to carry the Saint Lucian flag at the CARIFTA Games in Grenada over the Easter weekend, March 4-6. The Saint Lucia Athletics Association on Tuesday named a 12-member squad for the Games at the Kirani James Stadium in St George’s. The number is 10 fewer than the squad that went to Trinidad & Tobago last year.
The team is heavily focused on field events, particularly jumps. Jules, the joint record holder for women’s pole vault, aims to reclaim gold after securing silver medals in the event at CARIFTA in both 2022 and 2023. In addition, the Garden City Community College freshman claimed bronze in the Under-17 javelin throw at CARIFTA 2023. Now, she will compete in the Under-20 division for her final appearance at the meet.
Similarly, Phillips, who is based in Jamaica, has qualified for the World Junior Championships in the discus throw. He won two silver medals in the Under-17 category in 2023. Now in his final year as an Under-20 athlete, Phillips aims to secure two more medals in Grenada.
Cenac, one of just two returning medallists from last year along with Jules, brings valuable experience to the team. Last year, she won a medal in the high jump, and this season, she remains in the Under-17 girls’ division. She will once more contend in the high jump, where her season’s best marks her among the favourites for gold.
Turning to the Under-17 boys, two field event athletes, both aged just 15 this year, will represent the team. Randall Monroe will compete in the high jump and long jump, while Eavan Edgar will go for shot put and discus throw, both after dominating in the first half of the season.
In the Under-17 girls’ division, Cenac is joined by Barbara-Marie Maximin, who returns for the long jump. Meanwhile, Syesha Rogers brings additional experience as she makes her third appearance at the CARIFTA Games. Turning 18 the day before the Games, she will compete in the Under-20 girls’ long jump.
Looking at the Under-20 boys, the largest group, six athletes have been named. In addition to Phillips, there are returns for 100m and 200m runner Ryan Simeon, 400m specialist Joaqwan Alexander, 800m man Evann John, and Benique Mann in the 1500m. Darvin Forde will debut in the triple jump.
However, the sprints have been impacted by the exclusion of 2025 double Under-17 champion Jady Emmanuel and 2023 double Under-17 silver medallist Naomi London. Emmanuel is recovering from an injury, while London, a student-athlete at the University of Texas, has not represented Saint Lucia internationally since 2023. Meanwhile, athletes like Gabrielle Facey and Isabella Emilienne have not produced at the same level as last year.
Additionally, Ricardo Mann, who ran 10.57 seconds for the men’s 100m at Boys & Girls Champs in Jamaica on Tuesday, was left out. So too was Under-17 star Jermario Actille, national junior champion and Island Champs gold medallist over 100m.
After fielding four relays last year, the SLAA has selected none for Grenada, reflecting these changes.
“Team Saint Lucia reflects a strong blend of performance excellence and emerging talent, positioning the country for meaningful representation at the 2026 CARIFTA Games. The Association remains confident that the team will compete with pride, resilience, and distinction,” read a release from the SLAA.
The team will be led by manager Cornelius Breen. Head coach Len Leonce, assistant coach Michele Rogers, and safeguarding official Kenvin McPhee complete the leadership group.
