The 2026 Dasani BSSAC Finals witnessed the spectacular emergence of two phenomenal young talents, Blake Carrington and Alex Jones-Ifill, who delivered a masterclass in athletic dominance within the Under-13 division through a series of record-shattering performances.
Blake Carrington, a former St Gabriel’s Primary student now representing the St Michael School Cougars, engineered one of the most comprehensive displays of the championship. Her quest for gold commenced with a blistering 100-metre sprint victory in 13.45 seconds. She then demonstrated her vertical prowess by conquering the high jump with a clearance of 1.43 metres. The pinnacle of her performance, however, was a breathtaking long jump of 5.32 metres, which decisively demolished the previous BSSAC record. Adding to her impressive haul, Carrington also secured a fourth-place finish in the 200 metres with a time of 27.27 seconds.
In a post-competition interview, an elated Carrington reflected on her achievement, stating, “I feel absolutely fantastic. Last year, my athletic preparations were compromised due to my focus on the 11-Plus exams, which makes this victory profoundly significant. I genuinely did not anticipate breaking the record by such a substantial margin; I am overwhelmingly happy.” With her sights firmly set on a grand future, Carrington revealed her aspirations to represent Barbados internationally, targeting gold medals at the CARIFTA Games, the World Championships, and ultimately, the Olympic Games.
On the parallel track, Alex Jones-Ifill of St Leonard’s Boys’ School made an unforgettable debut at the BSSAC Finals, clinching the prestigious Victor Ludorum title with a commanding and unmatched tally of 40 points. Jones-Ifill’s dominance was absolute, as he seized victory in four distinct events: the 100m, 200m, 400m, and Long Jump. His performance was historically significant, as he etched his name into the annals of BSSAC by obliterating three longstanding records: the long jump (5.37m), the 200m (23.84 seconds), and the 400m (55.02 seconds).
This athletic triumph continues a remarkable streak for Jones-Ifill. Just months prior, in July 2025, the former West Terrace Primary student showcased his versatile sporting excellence by scoring the championship-winning goal for his school in the BICO Primary School Football Final against defending champions Arthur Smith Primary. Notably, he had flown back to Barbados just a day before that final after earning a bronze medal for Team Barbados in the pentathlon at the NACAC U13 and U15 championships.
Reflecting on his strategy and success, Jones-Ifill credited his coaching team, saying, “My plan entering BSSAC was to execute my races with precision. I’ve received incredible support; one coach has been instrumental in refining my long jump technique and speed work, while Coach David has optimized my performance across both short and long distances.” He also paid tribute to his family, adding, “My parents provide unwavering support, for which I am extremely grateful.”
Photography by Nathan Goddard-McCarthy captured the defining moments of these future stars’ ascendancy.