Multiple medallists – sprinter Naomi London, thrower Denzel Phillips and pole vault record holder Naya Jules – headline Saint Lucia’s 22-member team for the Carifta Games, set to take place over the Easter weekend in Trinidad & Tobago.
This marks one of the largest contingents ever fielded by the nation at the regional junior championships, coming two years after Saint Lucia’s most successful campaign.
On Wednesday, the Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA) announced the squad for Carifta 52, scheduled for April 19-21, after ratifying the recommendations of its technical committee.
This year’s team features eight returning athletes from 2024 among the nine girls and 13 boys and will compete in up to five relay events.
Under-20 Girls Division:
Naomi London (University of Texas), a double silver medallist in the U-17 100m and 200m in 2023, steps up to the U-20 100m.
Naya Jules (Garden City Community College) eyes a pole vault three-peat and will also contest the javelin, in which she claimed U-17 silver in 2023.
Syesha Rogers (Morne Stars) transitions from U-17 long jump to U-20 competition.
Under-20 Boys Division:
Denzel Phillips (Jamaica College) is a strong medal contender in discus and shot put, having secured silver in both events at the U-17 level in 2023. Other key athletes include:
Joaqwan Alexander (Soufriere Athletics) – 400m
Omarion Edwin (Survivors) – 5000m
Benique Man (Pacesetters) & Evann John (Survivors) – 800m
Levern Jn Baptiste (Abilene Wildcats) – 100m
Ryan Simeon (Nightriders) – 100m & 200m
Josiah Dupre (Sprint Tech) – 400m hurdles
Miciah Sobers & Jakim Raymond (Elite) – 4x100m relay
The U-17 girls’ squad includes:
Jady Emmanuel (Choiseul), a 2024 finalist targeting medals in the 100m & 200m.
Destinee Cenac (Morne Stars) – high jump
Gabrielle Facey (Survivors) & Isabella Emilienne (SL Sports Academy) – 400m
Maiya Landers (Pacesetters) – 800m
Barbara Marie Maximin (Abilene) – long jump (debut)
The girls will also compete in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
The U-17 boys’ contingent is smaller, featuring:
Deandre Isidore (Jamaica College) – 400m hurdles
Ricardo Mann (Vere Technical) & Terrick Plummer (Survivors) – 100m
Last year, Saint Lucia secured two medals in Grenada – gold and bronze in the girls’ pole vault. In 2023, the team achieved its best-ever haul (8 medals), including another pole vault gold. The nation’s record performance remains the 2009 home Games, where they claimed six medals (four gold).
The management team was also announced:
Manager: Cornelius Breen
Head Coach: Denise Herman
Coaches: Titus Elien, Len Leonce
Safeguarding Officer: Martina James-Charlery
Physiotherapist: Makeba Alcide
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