Locker and Fleming Opt-out as Fenton, Dowdye, Daley and Francis to Lead Country’s Charge at Carifta Games

Senior campaigners LaNica Locker and Dwayne Fleming have opted out of going to this year’s Carifta Games despite qualifying for the April 19-21 track and field event in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Locker, who recently signed a full scholarship with top Division 1 NCAA school in the US, Louisiana State University (LSU), registered a time of 23.96 seconds at the UAB Green and Gold Invite in Birmingham, Alabama back in February to qualify for the regional meet.

In January, Fleming became the first Antiguan athlete to qualify for the games when he kicked off his 2025 indoor season on a high note with a standout performance at the Wagner College Invitational in New York, registering a personal best of 48.37 seconds in the 400 meters.

The Antigua and Barbuda Athletic Association (ABAA), on Tuesday, named a 19-member track & field team, excluding Locker and Fleming, to fly the country’s flag at the games later this month.

Newly crowned Junior Sportswoman of the Year Tyra Fenton headlines the selection and is set to compete in the 200 and 400 meters events in the under-17 female category. Fenton is joined by Zonique Charles (javelin) and Ranique Richards (shot put).

Selected in the male under-17 category are Javon Simon (200/400), Naeem Simon (high jump), Hanief Jones (100/200) and Marcus Henry (high jump).

Senior sprinter Geolyna Dowdye headlines the female under-20 selections and will compete in the 100 and 200 meters events. She is joined by Hannah Charles (1500/3000), Kettia Ambrose (200/400/mixed 4x400m), Shenika Bentick (400/Mixed 4×400) and Jada Gunthrope (long jump).

Last year’s historic gold medallist in the under-17 javelin, Malek Francis, headlines the boys under-20 selections. Sprinter Kasiya Daley (100/200/4×100) will also make the trip. The other selectees are Conroy Wilson (100/4×100), Daniel Skepple (200/4×100), Kevon Campbell (4×100/Mixed 4×400), Judah Ashe (4×100) and Cleon Joseph (400/Mixed 4×400).

The team will be coached by Jamille Nelson with assistance from Heather Samuel-Daleyand Oswald Baptiste. Gillian Matthew will travel as Team Manager/Chaperone.  The team is slated to leave for Trinidad on April 17.