Shameika McLean, Keyezra Thomas, Tyra Fenton lead U17 girls’ 400m qualifiers: Carifta Games 2026 Day 1

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada (April 4) – Jamaica’s Shameika McLean, Tyra Fenton of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Bahamas’ Keyezra Thomas comfortably advanced to the U17 girls’ 400 meters final during Saturday morning’s (4) opening session on Day 1 of the 53rd Carifta Games at the Kirani James Athletic Stadium.

McLean, a 16-year-old coming off a 52.22-second personal best at Jamaica’s Boys and Girls Championships last weekend, set the pace with a winning time of 55.00 seconds in heat two—the fastest of all qualifiers into this evening’s final at 4:15 p.m. Kaeja Creque, the 14-year-old standout from the British Virgin Islands, placed second in that race and also advanced with 56.64 seconds.

Read More: The 53rd Carifta Games 2026 Day 1 schedule, order of events, live stream, and results

The easy-going Keyezra Thomas, last year’s silver medalist, looked smooth in her heat, winning section three in 55.01 seconds to post the second-fastest time of the day. Defending champion Tyra Fenton of Antigua and Barbuda claimed heat one with 55.51 seconds for the third-best time, as Brianna Bootle from the Bahamas followed in 56.49, securing the fourth-fastest qualifying mark.

Jamaica and the Bahamas both earned two spots in the final. Grenadian hopeful M-Caiyah Frederick missed the cut but clocked a personal best of 57.77 seconds before home fans.

The U17 girls’ 400m final at the Carifta Games 2026 will take place during this evening’s busy afternoon session at 4:15 p.m., as part of the live schedule streamed from the Kirani James Athletic Stadium.

U17 Girls’ 400m Preliminary Results – Day 1
53rd Carifta Games 2026 – Kirani James Athletic Stadium, St. George’s

1. Shameika McLean (Jamaica) – 16 yrs – 55.00 Q – Heat 2
2. Keyezra Thomas (Bahamas) – 16 yrs – 55.01 Q – Heat 3
3. Tyra Fenton (Antigua and Barbuda) – 16 yrs – 55.51 Q – Heat 1
4. Brianna Bootle (Bahamas) – 15 yrs – 56.49 Q – Heat 1
5. Kaeja Creque (British Virgin Islands) – 14 yrs – 56.64 Q – Heat 2
6. Daniellia Dixon (Jamaica) – 16 yrs – 57.34 Q – Heat 3
7. Kerikea Edwards (Cayman Islands) – 14 yrs – 57.00 q – Heat 2
8. Savannah Thorne (Barbados) – 16 yrs – 57.20 q – Heat 2
9. Anahia Joseph (Haiti) – 15 yrs – 57.50 – Heat 3
10. Jaeda Pigott (Antigua and Barbuda) – 15 yrs – 57.65 – Heat 2
11. Olivia Solomon (Guyana) – 16 yrs – 57.72 – Heat 3
12. M-Caiyah Frederick (Grenada) – 16 yrs – 57.77 PB – Heat 1
13. Jahzara Inniss (Barbados) – 16 yrs – 57.79 – Heat 1
14. Keanna Cummings (Trinidad and Tobago) – 14 yrs – 57.81 – Heat 1
15. Soleil Caruth (Trinidad and Tobago) – 16 yrs – 58.29 – Heat 3
16. Kelise Wade (Bermuda) – 16 yrs – 59.08 – Heat 1
17. Faith Eatmon (Virgin Islands – USA) – 15 yrs – 59.73 – Heat 2
18. Emma Frederick (Grenada) – 14 yrs – 1:01.88 – Heat 3