For Saint Lucia’s track and field community, a new chapter of athletic ambition is set to unfold this April, as a group of young athletes from St Mary’s College (SMC) prepare to break new ground as the first team from the island nation to compete at the iconic Penn Relay Carnival. Running from April 21 to 25 at the University of Pennsylvania’s historic Franklin Field – a venue that has hosted the prestigious meet since 1895 – the Saint Lucian delegation will compete in the High School Boys division, taking on competitors from across the globe in the 4x100m and 4x400m international relay events.
The five-member SMC roster brings together some of Saint Lucia’s brightest emerging track talent, anchored by athletes with proven experience at regional competitions. Leading the squad is 17-year-old Terrick Plummer, who already represented Saint Lucia at the 2025 CARIFTA Games held in Trinidad & Tobago. He is joined by 16-year-old Joshua Matthew, the current national Under-17 champion for both the 200m and 400m distances. Rounding out the team are 16-year-olds Ethan Doxerie and Tai La Force, and 15-year-old Zayne Henry, with seasoned local coach Lenyn Leonce leading the group as they prepare for their global debut.
This historic participation would not have been possible without the full backing of Hamilton Reserve Bank, the Caribbean region’s largest global bank by headquarters, which holds more than US$6 billion in total assets. The financial institution has covered all of the team’s costs and logistical needs, including international airfare, on-the-ground accommodations, daily meals, local transportation, and official competition gear for the delegation.
In an official statement announcing the sponsorship, the bank framed its support as far more than a one-off contribution to a sports team. “This milestone event for Saint Lucia represents more than participation,” the release read. “It signals a strategic investment in youth development, global exposure, and high-performance sports by the largest global bank in the Caribbean region.”
Merkisha Desir, a senior relationship banker at Hamilton Reserve Bank and a native of Saint Lucia, expanded on the bank’s commitment to lifting regional Caribbean talent. “At Hamilton Reserve Bank, we unlock Caribbean potential by connecting aspiration with access,” Desir explained. “For our bank, the Caribbean is home. Our corporate commitment to regional development extends beyond offering the fastest bank wires in the world in seconds and enabling new banking customers to be approved 100% online in 20 minutes. We are building bridges between Caribbean talent and global opportunities for years to come.”
At the Penn Relays, SMC’s athletes will face off against delegations from across the Caribbean, with large contingents expected from regional track powerhouses including Jamaica, as well as other neighboring nations such as Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, St Vincent & the Grenadines, and St Kitts & Nevis. Each year, the historic meet draws more than 15,000 student-athletes from hundreds of educational institutions across the world, making it one of the most high-profile track and field competitions for young emerging talent globally.
For the SMC team – nicknamed the Samarians – the competition is viewed as a transformative learning opportunity that will pay dividends in future regional competitions. Local athletic leaders hope the experience gained on the global stage will translate to stronger performances at next year’s Island Champs relays. This year, across five relay events at the competition, the Samarians claimed just a single bronze medal, in the Under-16 4x400m division.
Saint Lucia’s growing reputation in international track and field has risen sharply in recent years, anchored by the success of Julien Alfred, the island’s first Olympic gold medallist. With this debut appearance at the Penn Relay Carnival, the nation’s next generation of athletes is set to carry that momentum forward, extending Saint Lucia’s footprint on the global track and field landscape.
The journey for these young athletes began locally at Saint Lucia’s Mindoo Phillip Park, where they have trained and competed for years, before earning the opportunity to take their talents to one of the world’s most iconic track venues. This milestone marks a breakthrough moment for the future of athletics in the small Caribbean nation.