Competitors in the Under-16 and Under-18 Boys and Girls Island Champs qualifiers captivated a supportive crowd with their adrenaline-pumping performances at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG) on Monday.
In the 400m dash, the athletes showcased impressive speed, grit, and youthful energy.
In the Under-16 Girls 400m, Laila Nicholas from the Saint Lucia Sports Academy surged to the front in Heat 2 with a time of 1:03.80, asserting her dominance on the track. She leads the group of 16 athletes who will compete again in the semifinals on Wednesday, March 18.
The Under-16 Boys 400m featured a showdown of strength, with Leonel Mathurin of Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School taking control in Heat 1, clocking in at 55.69 seconds.
He leads the pack, closely followed by Terronye Camille from Beanfield Secondary (Heat 4 – 56.16s) and Liam Noel from Leon Hess Comprehensive (Heat 3 – 56.63s).
The Under-18 Girls’ 400m added drama and flair to the day. Akaiha Weeks of Leon Hess Comprehensive sped through Heat 2, securing a spot in the semifinals with a time of 1:01.94. She will line up in Heat 1, lane 4, on Wednesday against a competitive field, including; Louvene Estephane (1:14.18s / Vieux Fort Comprehensive), Annika Daniel (1:12.13s / Beanfield Comprehensive), Kasia Matty (1:08.75s / Castries Comprehensive), Isabella Emilienne (1:02.07s / Saint Lucia Sports Academy), Mayfia Lucien (1:11.88s / Micoud Secondary), Alice Phillip (1:14.09s / Sir Ira Simmons), and Ryanne Edward (1:16.16s / Bonne Terre Preparatory School).
The Boys Under-18 400m promises to be a heated contest, with every semifinalist clocking under one minute, setting up an exciting race.
Elijah Isidore from Vieux Fort Comprehensive leads in Heat 1 with a strong time of 54.66 seconds, while Detroy Deterville from Micoud Secondary prepares to make his mark in Heat 2, also in lane 4 with a time of 55.25 seconds.
The stage is set for an exhilarating semifinal round on March 18!