St. Mary’s College (SMC) and St. Joseph’s Convent (SJC) won their first Island Champs track and field championships on Sunday at the Soufriere Mini Stadium.
The Island Champs finals started at 1:00 p.m., immediately after the official opening ceremony. Athletes from several secondary schools took part in the races.
The atmosphere was electrifying, with athletes demonstrating incredible intensity in the races. The events spanned from the Under-14 division’s 80m sprint to the boys’ 5000m invitational, which was accompanied by high-energy relays. The venue was packed to capacity, and hundreds more watched online, including parents, teachers, and alumni.
The competition included sprint races such as the 150m, 200m, and 600m, which demonstrated these young competitors’ outstanding speed and grit. Participants were divided into age categories ranging from under 14 to under 20 years. Events like the 80m and 100m dashes, as well as the more difficult 300m, 400m, and 3000m races, demonstrated the competitors’ exceptional ability.
The relays added to the excitement, as teams diligently prepared to display their speed and collaboration in these fiercely competitive races, resulting in an infectious spirit that had supporters on their feet, enthusiastically supporting their local schools.
Amidst some stunning performances, a surprise rain shower provided a nice relief from the heat, proving equally exhilarating for racers and spectators. A noteworthy concern arose regarding the frequency with which several athletes fell after the race. Sports officials recognized the need for greater flexibility in scheduling sports events for schools. In response, the Ministry of Sports intends to involve graduates from these schools in the preparation of future sports events, allowing for a more efficient execution of this constantly expanding yearly meet.
The competitive atmosphere skyrocketed as athletes competed for bragging rights against the defending champions, Vieux Fort Comprehensive School (VFCSS), who had previously dominated the championships.
While the VFCSS cheerleading squad and fans made their presence known, they faced stiff competition from SMC and SJC athletes. SMC had 304 points going into the finals, giving them a significant advantage. In contrast, VFCSS, the defending boys’ champions, led with 203 points, followed by Micoud Secondary with 159, Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School with 129, and Saint Lucia Sports Academy with 105.
SJC reaffirmed their supremacy in the girls’ category, defending their title with a score of 258 points. They outperformed second-place Saint Lucia Sports Academy (184 points) and third-place VFCSS (172 points). Micoud scored 132 points, while Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School and Choiseul Secondary tied for fifth place with 91 points.
Omarion Edwin excelled for SMC, winning the Under-18 800m (2:00.88), 1500m (4:21.33), and open 5000m (17:34.03). He led SMC to a 1-2 finish in the 800m and 1500m with colleague Alex Devaux. SMC dominated the relays, winning four out of the six available gold medals.
SJC started the day with a commanding 1-2 finish in the Under-16 girls’ 200m, with Destinee Cenac clocking 25.66 to beat teammate Gabrielle Facey. Despite qualifying for CARIFTA, Facey won gold in the 400m with a time of 59.56. Abigal Herman won the Under-18 1500m title in 5:42.40 and then the 800m crown in 2:32.94 on Sunday.
With 23 school teams competing, various athletes from Micoud Secondary School, Saint Lucia Sports Academy, and host Soufriere Comprehensive Secondary School all performed admirably.
Following the meeting, the outcomes were clear:
Girls’ Champions: Saint Joseph’s Convent Secondary School (258 points), Saint Lucia Sports Academy (184), and Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (172 points).
Boys’ Champions: Saint Mary’s College Secondary School (304 points), Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School (203 points), and Micoud Secondary School (159 points).
The Ministry of Youth Development and Sports stated on social media, “Today was amazing, and the athletes truly showed up and gave it their all.” Congratulations to all of the winners!”
The Ministry stressed the importance of the 2025 Island Champs as a renowned event that showcases remarkable talent while also encouraging camaraderie among all competitors.