Saint Lucian athlete Jenneil Jacobie has catapulted herself into the track and field spotlight with a record-shattering performance in women’s high jump. The 21-year-old Corinth Secondary alumna achieved a personal best of 1.87 meters last week, establishing new benchmarks at East Texas A&M University and the Southland Conference while simultaneously meeting qualification standards for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
Jacobie’s remarkable leap represents the fourth-highest achievement in Saint Lucian women’s high jump history, trailing only legendary athletes Levern Spencer, Jeannelle Scheper and Makeba Alcide. Despite this accomplishment, the rising star maintains she has yet to reach her full potential.
The journey to this breakthrough has been fraught with challenges. After attracting attention from multiple American universities with 1.70m jumps in her homeland, Jacobie selected then-Division II institution Texas A&M Commerce (now ETAMU) primarily due to the presence of renowned high jump coach Rock Light. Her collegiate career immediately faced setbacks when medical complications that had plagued her in Saint Lucia forced her to miss her entire freshman season.
“My first year truly tested me,” Jacobie reflected. “I had to cultivate patience and understand that circumstances don’t always align favorably. Through it all, my coaches never wavered in their belief in my capabilities.”
After undergoing surgery that cost her the 2025 competitive season, Jacobie spent 18 months in recovery and contemplation. “I discovered how deeply my identity was intertwined with track and field,” she revealed. “Watching competitions from the sidelines proved emotionally challenging, so I channeled my energy into supporting teammates and sharing knowledge to remain connected to the sport.”
Her comeback has been nothing short of spectacular. In two appearances this season, Jacobie has set meet records each time and earned Southland Conference Field Athlete of the Week honors on both occasions. Currently ranked among the NCAA’s top ten high jumpers, she now sets her sights on qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and becoming only the third Saint Lucian to clear 1.90 meters.
Coach Light has implemented a carefully managed training regimen to balance academic responsibilities with athletic ambitions. Meanwhile, Jacobie has undergone a parallel transformation in her academic pursuits, transitioning from nursing to pre-medical studies after her aunt encouraged her to reconsider her professional limitations.
“Maintaining equilibrium between rigorous pre-med coursework, rehabilitation protocols, and competition schedules demands meticulous planning and perseverance,” Jacobie acknowledged. “The spring semester presents particular challenges, requiring constant schedule reevaluation to optimize performance across all domains.”
With a renewed mindset that rejects self-imposed limitations both on and off the track, Jacobie continues to redefine her potential. “I believe there’s more capacity waiting to be unlocked,” she stated. “My approach focuses on consistent effort, proper treatment adherence, and avoiding premature exhaustion—not merely participating in major competitions, but delivering exceptional performances when it matters most.”