Saint Lucian collegiate athletes delivered an impressive display of athletic prowess across multiple indoor track and field competitions in the United States over the weekend, securing four gold medal finishes and establishing two new school records.
In a remarkable comeback story, Jenneil Jacobie of East Texas A&M University Lions claimed victory at the Owen Hewett Invitational in Norman, Oklahoma. The 2024 outdoor conference champion, returning from a season-ending injury, cleared 1.80 meters in the women’s high jump, earning her a top-ten national ranking in NCAA Division I competition.
At the Akron AL Campbell Invitational in Ohio, University of Charleston’s Joy Edward achieved dual success with a first-place finish and school record performance. Edward threw 14.69 meters in shot put, narrowly missing her 2024 indoor national record, and achieved a personal best of 17.59 meters in the 20-pound weight throw.
The Washburn Rust Buster event in Topeka witnessed Kereser Augustin setting a new school record with her 39.20-second performance in the women’s 300m, finishing ahead of teammate Isabella Kupka who secured second place.
Coppin State University’s Carl Drakes continued his dominant season at the HBCU Showcase presented by Nike Running in New York City, winning the men’s 200m dash in 21.28 seconds and placing second in the 60m with a time of 6.77 seconds.
Additional notable performances included Rayshawn Harris’s indoor debut in the 800m for Coppin State, while multiple other Saint Lucian athletes delivered strong showings across various events including Reuben Nichols (3rd in 600m), Tyler Toussaint (2nd in 60m), and Cagini Pilgrim (3rd in 60m).
The collective achievements demonstrate the growing impact of Saint Lucian athletes within the competitive landscape of US collegiate athletics during the ongoing indoor season.