The 2026 Dasanai BSSAC Championships concluded in spectacular fashion at the Usain Bolt Complex on Friday, cementing dynastic victories for two of Barbados’s premier athletic institutions. Combermere School achieved a historic three-peat by securing the boys’ title for the third consecutive year, while The St Michael School successfully defended their crown in the girls’ division, showcasing unparalleled consistency and competitive determination throughout the event.
Final standings in the girls’ competition saw The St Michael School dominate with an impressive 213-point total, finishing well ahead of rivals Harrison College (183 points) and Combermere (142.5 points). Queen’s College claimed fourth position with 117 points, followed by Springer Memorial (113), Christ Church Foundation School (85), The Lodge School (69), Alleyne (67), Coleridge and Parry (66), and Alexandra completing the top ten with 63 points.
St Michael School head coach Gabriel Burnett expressed elation following the victory, acknowledging initial challenges that required strategic intervention. ‘Our girls started out shaky yesterday morning,’ Burnett revealed to Barbados TODAY. ‘We conducted three team meetings to address nerves particularly affecting our junior competitors. After refining our focus, the team emerged on day two firing on all cylinders, executing exactly according to plan.’
The triumph has already inspired ambitions for continued dominance, with Burnett noting, ‘With our strength residing in the Under-13 and Under-15 divisions, we anticipate maintaining this excellence moving forward.’ The coach additionally highlighted the crucial support of long-term sponsor Pedialyte Sport, which has backed the program since 2014.
On the boys’ side, Combermere’s commanding performance yielded 198.5 points to secure their third straight championship. Harrison College captured second place with 157 points, while The St Michael School rounded out the podium with 144 points. The Lodge School (126.5) and St Leonard’s Boys (108.5) completed the top five placements.
Combermere coach Jarad Murray described the victory as a historic achievement, emphasizing his team’s recognition of the moment’s significance. ‘The boys understood this was an opportunity to join an elite group of schools achieving a three-peat,’ Murray stated. He identified the penultimate day’s performances as the decisive turning point, noting how athletes qualifying in lower positions remarkably elevated their performances in finals.
Individual excellence shone through as Harrison College’s Hailey Merritt claimed the Victrix Ludorum title, demonstrating remarkable versatility with victories in High Jump, Long Jump, and Triple Jump complemented by a third-place finish in the 100m hurdles. Meanwhile, St Leonard’s Boys’ Alex Jones-Ifill emerged as a sensational new talent, achieving a perfect 40-point sweep to secure the Victor Ludorum title through dominant victories in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and Long Jump events.