Saint Lucian high jumper Jenneil Jacobie has positioned herself as a strong contender for the 2026 Commonwealth Games following a record-shattering performance in Texas. The 21-year-old athletics star from Gros Islet achieved a critical qualifying standard by clearing 1.87 meters at the Charlie Thomas Invitational on January 6, becoming only the seventh athlete from Saint Lucia to meet the stringent requirements set by the Saint Lucia Athletics Association (SLAA).
Competing for East Texas A&M University, Jacobie’s remarkable clearance not only secured her event victory but also established a new institutional record for her university. The achievement propelled her into the NCAA Division I top 10 rankings and marked her inaugural entry into the global top 50 rankings. This milestone six-foot jump simultaneously maintained her leading position in the Southland Conference and equaled the meet record for the Charlie Thomas Invitational.
Jacobie must now replicate this success by achieving the 1.82-meter standard at least twice more before the qualification period concludes on May 31 to secure her ticket to Glasgow. Currently, only sprinter Julien Alfred and fellow athlete Marvric Pamphile have satisfied the SLAA technical committee’s requirement of three qualifying performances during the current period.
The weekend competition also showcased exceptional performances from other Saint Lucian athletes internationally. Joy Edward from the University of Charleston dominated the shot put with a 14.01-meter throw at the Marshall Jewel City Invitational, while Natalie Albert from the University of Memphis excelled in the weight throw with an 18.34-meter effort at the UAB Green and Gold Invite.
Additional notable performances from Saint Lucian athletes included Mya Hippolyte’s second-place finish in the 60m (7.72s), Carl Drakes’ eighth-place showing in the 60m (6.98s) at the IC4A/ECAC Indoor Championships, and Miguel Charlery’s victory in the 55m (6.46s) at the DeSchriver Invitational, demonstrating the depth of track and field talent emerging from the Caribbean nation.