ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (April 4) – Destinee Cenac of Saint Lucia won the U17 girls’ high jump gold medal on the opening morning of the 53rd Carifta Games 2026, clearing a lifetime best of 1.72 meters at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium on Saturday.
After missing the podium last year, the 16-year-old made redemption her goal for 2026 and delivered with an impressive personal best. Her mark fell short of the Carifta Games record of 1.85m, set in 2010 by Akela Jones of Barbados, but she was still delighted to be atop the medal podium.
“Coming from last year, getting the gold medal was the immediate goal for this year,” Cenac said in her postrace interview after the event. “It feels amazing to get a PB. I was expecting to go higher, but I’m thankful I was able to execute and get that PB.”
Cenac entered the competition at 1.55m, passing the lower heights, and cleared both 1.60m and 1.66m on her first attempts before going over 1.69m on her second try and sealing victory with a clean clearance at 1.72m.
Her mark topped rivals Stefvanco Henry of Jamaica and Shania Mottley of Barbados, who both cleared 1.69m but could not match Cenac at the decisive height. Henry earned silver on countback after clearing 1.63m on her first attempt and did eight jumps, while Mottley took bronze, needing two tries to get over the same height, while finishing with nine attempts overall in the competition.
U17 Girls High Jump Final – Day 1 Results
(Carifta Games 2026 – Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George’s, Grenada)
| Place | Athlete | Country | Mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Destinee Cenac | (Saint Lucia) | 1.72m |
| 2 | Stefvanco Henry | (Jamaica) | 1.69m |
| 3 | Shania Mottley | (Barbados) | 1.69m |
| 4 | Kemoya Campbell | (Jamaica) | 1.63m |
| 5 | Reyann Graham | (Trinidad and Tobago) | 1.60m |
| 6 | La Queen Welch | (Trinidad and Tobago) | 1.60m |
| 7 | Mickella Patrick | (Grenada) | 1.60m |
| 8 | T’keiya Smith | (British Virgin Islands) | 1.55m |
| 9 | Giavanna Henry | (Cayman Islands) | 1.50m |
| 10 | Dominique Joseph | (Grenada) | 1.50m |
| 11 | Dejhanee Moses | (Saint Kitts and Nevis) | 1.45m |
| 12 | Ariel Stephens | (St. Vincent and The Grenadines) | 1.45m |
| — | Janiah McNeil | (Saint Kitts and Nevis) | NH |
