The opening weekend of the NCAA outdoor track and field season witnessed historic performances from Saint Lucian athletes competing across various American universities. Two national records fell as these collegiate competitors launched their campaigns with exceptional results.
Lauralynn Clifford, a senior transfer now competing for University of Texas San Antonio, immediately made her mark at the UTSA Invitational on March 20. The hammer throw specialist captured bronze with a monumental fifth-round effort measuring 58.11 meters (190 feet, 8 inches). This performance not only established a new Saint Lucian national record but also ranked as the second-best throw in UTSA program history. Clifford’s achievement surpassed her previous national standard of 56.55 meters set earlier in 2024 and would have placed second in last season’s American Conference championships.
Simultaneously, at the West Texas Relays in Canyon, Texas, Naya Jules delivered a spectacular multi-event performance on March 21. The reigning CARIFTA champion soared to new heights in the pole vault, clearing 3.20 meters to break both her national and school records. Jules demonstrated remarkable versatility by also competing in three additional events: she shattered a 23-year-old school record in javelin with a 41.33-meter throw that met NJCAA national qualifying standards, while also making her collegiate debut in the 100m hurdles (17.53 seconds) and 200m sprint (26.96 seconds).
The weekend also featured numerous other Saint Lucian athletes achieving notable results across various meets: Natalie Albert secured silver in hammer throw (52.35m) at the Rhodes Invitational; Zayn Phillip dominated youth competitions with double gold in 200m (29.06) and 55m (8.15) at USATF Indoor Nationals; and Khailan Vitalis earned bronze in 60m hurdles (14.08) at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge. These collective achievements highlight the growing impact of Saint Lucian talent within the American collegiate track and field circuit.