Jamaica’s next generation of track and field stars delivered a spectacular showcase of speed, resilience, and record-breaking ambition during the three-day Carifta Trials at the National Stadium, which ended on Sunday.
From world-leading sprint performances to a cascade of personal-best marks across multiple events, the competition offered a powerful preview of the athletes expected to represent the island at next month’s CARIFTA Games.
At the center of the action stood sprint sensation Shanoya Douglas, whose breathtaking double crowned a weekend of standout performances from the nation’s most promising young talents.
Douglas sets the standard with world-leading sprint double
Douglas left no doubt about her dominance in the girls’ Under-20 sprints.
The 18-year-old Holland High standout blazed to victory in the 200 meters on Sunday’s final day, stopping the clock at a sensational 22.58 seconds, the fastest time recorded by an Under-18 athlete anywhere in the world this year.
Her performance not only secured the sprint double at the trials but also lowered her personal best and placed her among the top four fastest senior women globally this season.
Natrece East of Wolmer’s Girls’ School finished a distant second in 23.48 seconds to secure her Carifta Games berth, while Kimberly Wright of Immaculate Conception claimed third in 24.24 seconds.
Douglas had already ignited the meet on the opening day, storming to victory in the 100 meters with a personal-best 11.06 seconds.
The electrifying double continues a remarkable season for the young sprinter. Already this year she has broken the Jamaican national junior indoor record in the 300 meters with 36.98 seconds and posted a 400-meter personal best of 52.60 seconds.
Douglas entered the trials with an impressive résumé as well. She captured both the Under-20 girls’ 100m and 200m titles at last year’s CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago and also earned bronze in the 200m at the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2024.
Personal bests light up the track
Beyond Douglas’ brilliance, the final day was defined by a wave of personal-best performances across the sprint events.
In the boys’ Under-20 200 meters, Sanjay Seymore rebounded from a runner-up finish in the 100 meters to claim victory in 20.95 seconds. Deaqoun Maragh of Camperdown High followed in 21.06 seconds, with Elijah Smikle of Jamaica College taking third in 21.16 seconds.
The boys’ Under-17 200 meters produced another trio of personal-best marks as Mario Ross of Wolmer’s Boys’ captured the title in 21.18 seconds. Tyler Morgan of Jamaica College finished second in 21.35 seconds, while Calabar’s Javane Clayton was third in 21.54 seconds.
Drama unfolded in the girls’ Under-17 200 meters after 100m champion Rihanna Scott was disqualified for a false start. St Mary High’s Sjayon Smith capitalized, surging past Edwin Allen’s Daniela Clarke near the finish to win in 24.32 seconds. Clarke settled for second in 24.42 seconds, and Kerion Jarrett of Maggotty High took third in 25.20 seconds.
Hurdles finals deliver thrilling battles
The hurdles events also produced a series of gripping finishes.
Alyssa Carry of St Jago High captured the girls’ Under-17 400-meter hurdles title in 59.89 seconds, continuing her upward trajectory after winning bronze in the event at last year’s CARIFTA Games. Imani Lowe of Immaculate Conception finished second in 1:01.47 minutes, while Sha-Jay Davis of Alpha Academy secured third in 1:01.72 minutes.
The Under-20 girls’ final delivered one of the closest races of the championships. Maria Crossfield of Edwin Allen edged Hydel High’s Nastassia Fletcher in a nail-biting duel, winning in 58.71 seconds to Fletcher’s 58.73 seconds. Shaneca Harris of Port Antonio High placed third with a personal-best 59.09 seconds.
In the boys’ Under-17 event, Jamaica College’s Oneil Lawrence ran a personal best 52.46 seconds to claim victory ahead of Hydel’s Kavian Minott (52.85) and St Jago’s Raneil Burke (53.02).
Hydel High’s Robert Miller successfully defended his dominance in the boys’ Under-20 400-meter hurdles, winning in 50.53 seconds. Kingston College’s Jahvannie Tyrell was second in 51.50 seconds, with Jamaica College’s Rojay Black third in 52.49 seconds.
Rising middle-distance stars make their mark
Middle-distance events also delivered breakthrough performances.
Edwin Allen’s Aneika Lowe captured the girls’ Under-17 800 meters in 2:13.67 minutes, while teammate Kevongaye Fowler dominated the Under-20 final with a personal-best 2:07.04 minutes. Queen’s School athlete Keyah Anderson finished second in 2:10.39 minutes.
History was made in the boys’ Under-17 800 meters when Markland Williams of Denbigh High produced a massive personal best of 1:55.03 minutes, delivering the school’s first-ever victory at the Carifta Trials. Luke Plummer of Sydney Pagon High followed in 1:57.05 minutes.
Sprint hurdlers showcase elite speed
Sprint hurdle finals added another layer of excitement to the meet.
Edwin Allen’s Tashana Godfrey dominated the girls’ Under-17 100-meter hurdles in 13.00 seconds, ahead of Alpha Academy’s Macaelo Gordon (13.47).
The Under-20 girls’ race produced a Wolmer’s Girls’ School one-two finish, with Tiana Marshall winning in a personal-best 12.97 seconds, followed by teammate Ackelia Bell in 13.21 seconds.
In the boys’ Under-17 110-meter hurdles, Wolmer’s Boys’ athlete Mark Daniel Allen clocked a personal-best 13.57 seconds to secure the title ahead of Kingston College’s Brandon Bennett (13.67).
St Jago High completed a commanding performance in the boys’ Under-20 final, claiming the top two spots as Romario Jibbidon triumphed in 13.37 seconds ahead of teammate Marquies Page (13.60).
Jamaica’s future on full display
By the end of the three-day competition, one theme was unmistakable: Jamaica’s pipeline of young athletic talent remains remarkably strong.
From Douglas’ world-leading sprint performance to a flood of personal bests and historic breakthroughs, the Carifta Trials offered a vivid glimpse of the athletes preparing to carry the nation’s proud track and field tradition onto the regional stage.
