Several SPIRE track and field student athletes recently competed at the prestigious CARIFTA Games held in Grenada. These games are known for showcasing up-and-coming Caribbean track and field athletes. Many notable athletes and World Record holders have started their careers by competing in the CARIFTA Games. This list includes:

• Usain Bolt setting a new world record in the Men’s 200m (2004)
• Veronica Campbell-Brown setting a new world record in the Women’s 100m (2000)
• Yohan Blake setting a new world record in the Men’s 100m (2007)

These games are widely seen as a stepping stone to the Olympics. SPIRE’s Head Coach of Sprints, Kerron Stewart, won the U18 100m at the 2000 CARIFTA Games before representing Jamaica at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. There, she won a silver medal in the Women’s 100m & a bronze in the Women’s 200m. She went on to compete at the Olympics again during the 2012 London Games, where she won a silver medal with the Women’s 4x100m Relay team.

Building off last year’s CARIFTA Games (where two of SPIRE’s track and field athletes competed), three of the school’s student athletes qualified to compete – two of which ultimately participated. Jenna-Marie Thomas won a bronze medal in the 400m Hurdles, silver in the 100m Hurdle and another bronze in the 4x400m Relay. Meanwhile, Kadia Rock, who is only seventeen years old and competes with the U20 Division, brought home a bronze medal with the Barbados 4x400m Relay team. She also placed 7th in the 400m finals with a personal best and set another personal best in the 200m.

Their remarkable performances demonstrate how dedicated and talented these young athletes are. They’re building a great future in which they will continue competing – highlighting their skills and unwavering spirit. These young athletes are carving a path toward excellence, and SPIRE is extremely proud of them.

Before leaving for the games, they shared their experiences with us. Jenna-Marie Thomas (a sprinter from Trinidad & Tobago) said, “I competed in the 2022 CARIFTA Games in Jamaica, and I must say, it was a lovely learning experience. Representing your country at such a young age is amazing.‌ This achievement means so much to me. God has blessed me with another opportunity, and I’m going to use it the best way I can. These CARIFTA Games are very personal for me.” 

Jamario Russell (a sprinter from Trinidad & Tobago) who qualified but did not participate said, “It’s always a pleasure being able to wear the red, white and black no matter the circumstances. I’m beyond grateful to God and everyone who has helped me reach here.”

Kadia Rock (a sprinter from Barbados) explained, “In the last two years, attending the CARIFTA Games has been an exciting journey filled with valuable experiences. The opportunity to represent my country again means a lot to me. Coach Stewart’s daily encouragement pushes me to strive for excellence.”

Coach Stewart explained, “The CARIFTA Games are such a prestigious sporting event. It showcases the best and most talented young athletes in the Caribbean. This event has been a tremendous launching pad for a lot of great athletes in our sport, including myself. I am truly excited for our SPIRE athletes, as it is such a great honor to represent your country and serve as an ambassador for your nation.”