PRESIDENT of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), Garth Gayle described the just-concluded Carifta Games Trials as superb, and believes it’s an indication of continued dominance at the regional championships, set for Grenada next month.

“Our coaches continue to excel and to show that they are among the best in the world, and I am very proud. We, the JAAAs, are very grateful,” Gayle told the Jamaica Observer.

“We also take knowledge of the fact that the performance in some of the events are world-leading in the age group category, and also the standout of the Girls’ Under-20 100 metres and 200 metres,” he added.

Gayle was referring to 18-year-old Shanoya Douglas of Holland High who had eyes popping with a world-leading time amongst seniors in the 100m, stopping the clock at 11.06 seconds.

Her 200m time of 22.58 ranks fifth amongst the seniors and first amongst her peers in the under-20 category.

“Of note also, the young man from the west [Sanjay Seymore] as well who would have come second in the 100 metres and won the 200 metres, although he was cautioned at the end. I think it stands out. These performances are excellent performances — not only on the track, but also in the field,” he pointed out.

Seymore was second in the 100m in a personal best of 10.20 seconds, behind Excelsior High’s Requilme Reid who clocked an impressive 10.16 which puts him second in the world in the under-20s behind Gout Gout of Australia with 10.00.

“The discus and the triple jump, all of these events, high jump…excellent performance all around. So, we are very pleased and we want to acknowledge the excellent work of the coaches in continuing to prepare these athletes as they have done,” Gayle reiterated.

Michael-Andre Edwards of Jamaica College won the long and triple jumps with 7.36m and 15.78, respectively, which puts him joint ninth in the world. But he has a 15.86m done on February 21, which is the sixth best behind Cuban leader Giann Baxter with 16.51m.

“[I am] looking forward to a very exciting Boys’ and Girls’ Championships and a bounty full of medals for the Carifta Games in Grenada,” Gayle added.

Jamaica will be looking to better its 2025 medal haul of 78, inclusive of 30 gold, 27 silver and 21 bronze.

The island has topped the Carifta Games medal table every year since 1985, and has done so at all except five of the 52 stagings of the championship.

GAYLE….our coaches continue to excel and to show that they are among the best in the world, and I am very proud (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Moses Johnson of Edwin Allen High School (right) on his way to winning the Boys’ Under-20 5,000m with a time of 16.55.39 minutes, ahead of Campion College’s Amari Brightley, in 16:56.35 at the JAAA Carifta Trials on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the National Stadium. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Ramario Jibbison (right) secures first place in 13.37 seconds, ahead of Marquies Page,13.60, in a one-two finish for the St Jago High School pair during the Boys’ Under-20 110m Hurdles final at the JAAA Carifta Games on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the National Stadium.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Kevongaye Fowler of Edwin Allen High celebrates after wiining the Girls’ Under-20 800m with a time of 2:07.64, at the JAAA Carifta Trials.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Shanoya Douglas (centre) of Holland High races to victory ahead of Natrece East (right) of Wolmer’s Girls’ and Kimberly Wright of Immaculate High in the Under-20 Girls’ 200m final during the JAAA Carifta Trials on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Douglas clocked 22.58 while second-placed East and third-placed Wright recorded 23.48 and 24.24, respectively.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)

Michael-Andre Edwards of Jamaica College won the Boys’ Under-20 triple jump, with a distance of 15.78m, at the JAAA Carifta Trials on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the National Stadium.(Photo: Naphtali Junior)