St Catherine holds parish lead as JTA Sagicor championships enter Day 2 finals at National Stadium

KINGSTON — Defending parish champions St Catherine held the top spot on the second day of the 41st staging of the JTA Sagicor National Athletics Championships at the National Stadium on Saturday, June 27, 2026, as finals across track and field tightened the race among Jamaica's 14 parishes.

After early scoring placed St Catherine ahead with 43 points from a handful of events, the standings shifted through the afternoon. St Andrew closed within roughly six points during the 4x100m relay finals before St Catherine answered with a decisive under-13 boys victory. Entering the final relay events, St Catherine led St Andrew by about 18 and a half points.

The under-13 boys 4x100m relay produced the day's standout mark. St Catherine's team of Nikel Parchment, Kimiko Gale, Joshua Williams and Kaif Grant clocked 47.97 seconds, breaking the previous record of 49.21. In the under-13 girls 400m, De Chanel Brooks of St Catherine won in 1:02.90. Odane Gordon of Westmoreland set a new under-13 boys 400m record of 56.51, surpassing the old mark of 57.52.

Middle-distance finals brought two doubles. Trevanique Breen Ridge of St Andrew won the girls open 1200m in 4:02.33 and later took the 800m in 2:30.15. Jamar Amos of St Catherine captured the boys open 1200m in 3:44.84 and followed with the 800m title in 2:17.60.

Sprint finals highlighted rising primary-level talent. Karissa Clacken of St Thomas won the girls under-9 80m in 12.32 seconds. Damian Hamilton of St Catherine took the boys under-9 80m in 12.42. Kaif Grant won the boys under-13 100m in 12.61, while Ariana Lewis of St Andrew claimed the girls under-13 100m in 12.85.

Relay drama marked the under-13 girls 4x100m final, where St Catherine edged St Andrew 51.43 to 51.44 after a tight anchor battle involving De Chanel Brooks and Ariana Lewis. Portland won the under-9 girls 4x100m final in 1:01.50, and St Thomas took the under-9 boys final in 1:00.24.

The meet's official opening ceremony celebrated the 41st edition, with JTA President Mark Malava welcoming athletes from all parishes and noting growth in grassroots support. Students with special needs from several schools also competed in dedicated races, described by organisers as a first at the national championships. Event patron Shenoya Douglas, world under-2200m silver medallist, addressed the young athletes during the programme.