Grenada’s young track and field stars took center stage on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for the second annual Classique Lighting Caribbean Communal Invitational, the only competitive athletics event on the national calendar that pits elite young runners from the country’s public and private primary school systems against one another directly.
Co-hosted for the second consecutive year by Classique Lighting Caribbean and the Communal Cooperative Credit Union, the invitational brought together the top four qualifying athletes from two of the nation’s biggest primary school athletics championships: the Huggins Private Primary School Championships and the GUT National Primary Schools Championships. Designed to foster friendly cross-sector rivalry while elevating youth athletic development, the 2026 iteration delivered packed, high-energy competition across four age divisions and six sprint distances.
Young competitors took to the track in the Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, and Under-13 age groups, contesting the 60m, 80m, 100m, 150m, 200m, and 400m sprints. Throughout the afternoon, athletes turned in consistent, high-quality performances that kept spectators engaged and highlighted the depth of young running talent across both public and private school networks.
By the close of competition, public school athletes claimed a decisive lead in the overall medal standings, racking up 15 gold medals, 8 silver medals, and 11 bronze medals to secure the overall team advantage. Private school competitors finished with 1 gold, 8 silver, and 5 bronze medals total.
Multiple standout performances and podium sweeps from public school athletes anchored their commanding lead. In the Under-7 division, Kalyssa Phillip claimed top honors in both the girls’ 60m and 80m, while Leonardo Alexander took gold in the boys’ 60m. Private schools earned their only gold of the day in the Under-7 boys’ 80m, where Xayden DeCoteau Pierre pulled off a resilient final push to cross the finish line first.
The Under-9 division saw another sweep for public schools, with Kaylee Abraham taking gold in the girls’ 80m and 150m, and Dimari Paul claiming both boys’ sprint titles. In the Under-11 division, Taniyah Gibbs LaTouche dominated the girls’ 100m and 200m, while Kellie Howell matched the feat for public schools in the boys’ events. The senior Under-13 division delivered the most impressive individual performances of the day: Jammie Smith swept the girls’ 100m, 200m, and 400m to claim three gold medals, while Jediel Andrew took gold in the boys’ 100m and 200m, and Tyrone Alexis closed out the sprint slate with a gold in the boys’ 400m.
Organizers emphasized that despite the lopsided final medal count, the event achieved its core mission beyond the podium. The invitational was created not just to crown winners, but to give promising young athletes access to high-level competitive experience that will help them grow in the sport, while also creating shared community engagement opportunities for local corporate teams and grassroots community groups.
With two consecutive successful stagings under its belt and consistent backing from local corporate sponsors, the Classique Lighting Caribbean Communal Invitational has solidified its status as one of Grenada’s flagship youth athletics events. More than a competition, the meet has become a celebrated annual tradition that honors athletic excellence, strengthens community bonds, and reinforces the power of collaborative communal development in Grenada.