The 2026 National Interschool Track and Field Championships continued to deliver high-quality competition and record-breaking performances on Day 3 at the YASCO Sports Complex, as athletes from across the island pushed the limits in both field and track events. Several championship records were broken during the day’s programme, reinforcing the meet’s reputation as the premier stage for emerging athletic talent in Antigua and Barbuda.
One of the standout performances came in the Girls Under-20 Shot Put, where Ranique Richards of Princess Margaret School launched the implement 11.00 metres to claim gold and establish a new Interschool record. Richards comfortably outdistanced her nearest rivals, with Aliah London of Clare Hall Secondary taking silver with 8.15m and Chaunay Irish of Jennings Secondary securing bronze with 8.01m.
Another record fell in the Girls Under-17 High Jump, where Unique Samuel of Antigua Girls’ High School soared to 1.41 metres to secure the gold medal and set a new championship mark. Elsie Peters of Christ the King High School cleared 1.35m for silver, while Lee Ann Tonge of Pares Secondary School claimed bronze at 1.30m.
Distance running also produced a major highlight when Elite Thomas of All Saints Secondary School dominated the Boys Under-17 3000 metres, winning in 10:35.55 to shatter the previous championship record. Shawnzee Joseph of Jennings Secondary followed in second place with 10:55.51, while Piers Henry of St Joseph’s Academy finished third in 11:12.29.
Relays brought electrifying energy to the stadium and produced some of the fastest performances of the championships so far. Princess Margaret School captured gold in the Girls Under-15 4×100 metre relay with a record-breaking time of 52.92 seconds, ahead of St Anthony’s Secondary School and Sir Novel Richards Academy.
The Girls Under-17 4×100 metre relay also saw Princess Margaret School equal the championship record with a time of 51.50 seconds, finishing ahead of St Anthony’s Secondary and All Saints Secondary School.
In the Boys Under-15 4×100 metre relay, St Joseph’s Academy produced a sensational performance to claim gold in 47.86 seconds, breaking the previous championship record. Clare Hall Secondary finished close behind with 47.97 seconds, while Princess Margaret School secured bronze.
Other Notable Performances
Field events continued to showcase depth across several schools. In the Boys Under-17 Shot Put, Taj Bellot of Antigua Grammar School claimed gold with a throw of 11.04 metres, narrowly ahead of Mickel Abraham of Princess Margaret School (10.90m), while Bellot’s teammate Triston Bristol secured bronze (10.48m).
The Girls Under-20 Long Jump title went to Jada Gunthropes of ABCAS, who leapt 5.25 metres to secure gold. Jahnissi Simon of Princess Margaret School finished second with 5.00m, while Kimora Davis of Pares Secondary took bronze with 4.77m.
In the Boys Under-20 High Jump, Marcus Henry of Princess Margaret School cleared 1.83 metres to secure the gold medal ahead of Christopher Tait of Ottos Comprehensive School and Keano Aransevia of ABCAS.
Points Tally at the End of Day Three
Beyond the individual performances, the results have also begun to shape the overall championship race. Princess Margaret School has established a commanding position in the standings after three days of competition, leading both the girls’ and boys’ divisions heading into the final day of the meet.
In the Girls’ Division, PMS leads with 182 points, well ahead of St Anthony’s Secondary School with 114 points and Pares Secondary School with 93.5 points. Antigua Girls’ High School sits fourth with 81 points, followed by All Saints Secondary School with 62, and Sir Novel Richards Academy with 56 points.
Further down the table, ABCAS has accumulated 44 points, while Ottos Comprehensive School holds 38 points. Christ the King High School follows with 33 points, just ahead of Clare Hall Secondary School with 32. Officials have noted that the standings do not yet include the Girls Under-20 4×100 metre relay, which remains subject to a protest decision.
The Boys’ Division also see PMS out front with 162 points, ahead of Antigua Grammar School with 118 and St Joseph’s Academy with 114 points. All Saints Secondary School occupies fourth place with 91 points, followed by Pares Secondary School with 72, ABCAS with 70, and Clare Hall Secondary School with 69 points.
Rounding out the top ten are Ottos Comprehensive School- 39 points, St Anthony’s Secondary School– 30, and Jennings Secondary School with 28.5 points, leaving several schools still within striking distance should they produce strong performances on the final day.
Meanwhile, several preliminary races in the 200 metres and 800 metres have set the stage for what promises to be thrilling finals on the closing day of the championships, with many of the nation’s top young sprinters and middle-distance runners advancing through their heats.
With records continuing to fall and school rivalries intensifying, anticipation is building for the final day of competition, when the overall champions will be crowned.