(L-R) Medallists at the 2026 NACAC U18 & U23 Championships in Mexico: Andre Smikle, Jah'kyla Morton, and T'Keiya Smith. Photo: BVIAA

The Virgin Islands contingent returned to the territory on Monday, July 13, 2026, after competing in the 2026 NACAC U18 & U23 Championships in Tlaxcala, Mexico. Photo: BVIAA

T'Keiya Smith leapt to first place and gold in the U18 High Jump with a 1.64 meters. Andre Smikle won silver with 47.80 meters in the Hammer Throw in the U23 Division and had a 6th-place finish in the U23 Discus with a distance of 46.94 meters. 

Jah'kyla Morton won silver in the U23 High Jump with a jump of 1.69 meters. 

Other athletes in the contingent had impressive showings, with M'Kenzii Crabbe, Ty'Rique Charles, and Tiondre Frett all qualifying for the U18 100M finals. Crabbe ended the championship 8th overall, and Charles finished 7th overall and 5th overall in the 200M. 

Jahshani Farrington finished 7th overall in the U23 800M, and Othniel Gillings finished 9th overall in the U18 High Jump. Mario Carter competed in the U23 200M and made it to the semis, but did not advance to the finals. 

Medals won are tangible confirmation of hardwork

President of the BVIAA, Mr Steve Augustine, congratulated the young athletes. 

“The conditions were very unfavourable, but even in all-weather conditions each athlete gave a valiant effort… the medals they won bring a tangible confirmation that all their hard work throughout the athletic year is worth it. We are very proud of each of them all.”

The team returned to the VI on Monday, July 13, 2026. 

Meanwhile, VI athletes have a busy summer schedule, with the CAC Games in the Dominican Republic and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 8, 2026.