Morton Takes High Jump Silver
BVI high jumper Jah'kyla Morton cleared a season-best 1.66m to take silver in her collegiate debut at the UAB Blazer Green and Gold Invite 2026. The performance — behind Southern Missouri's Alana Simon (1.69m) and ahead of Chattanooga's Halle Carden (1.63m) — continues Morton's strong run after success at CARIFTA and NACAC competitions.
Jah'kyla Morton opened her collegiate career in impressive fashion, soaring to a season-best 1.66 metres to claim the silver medal in the Women's High Jump at the UAB Blazer Green and Gold Invite 2026. Morton finished just behind Alana Simon of Southern Missouri, who took gold with a jump of 1.69m.
Chattanooga's Halle Carden rounded out the podium in third with a clearance of 1.63m. The meet, hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, brought together a competitive field of NCAA athletes and provided Morton with a strong first showing at the collegiate level. A three-time CARIFTA Games medallist and a NACAC gold medallist, Morton has been one of the British Virgin Islands' most promising young track and field talents.
Her transition to college competition is a key step in her development, testing her against deeper fields and offering access to collegiate coaching, facilities and regular competition across the U.S. For BVI residents and fans, Morton's performance is another sign that the territory continues to produce athletes capable of competing regionally and beyond.
Success at CARIFTA and NACAC has often been a springboard for Caribbean athletes into NCAA programmes and international meets; Morton’s season-best clearance in her very first collegiate outing suggests she is adapting quickly to that pathway. Coaches and local athletics followers will be watching how Morton builds on this result as the NCAA season progresses.
Regular competition at university meets offers opportunities to raise her personal best and gain consistency — both important for selection to larger championships and for potential future representation at regional and global events. While this was not a victory, the silver medal and SB mark are positive indicators for the young jumper’s trajectory.
Supporters in the Virgin Islands will look forward to following her upcoming meets and celebrating further milestones as Morton grows into her collegiate career and continues to represent the territory’s strong tradition in track and field. This account is based on reporting from Virgin Islands News Online regarding the UAB Blazer Green and Gold Invite 2026.
Primary source: VINO