by R J Michaels,
Grenadian hurdler Shantay Augustine will be at the heart of Iowa Western Community College’s bid to retain its crown at the 2026 NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, scheduled for 14–16 May at New Mexico Junior College.
The team arrives in Hobbs fresh off their indoor national title earlier this year, aiming to complete a sweep of the 2026 season. Augustine, a graduate of St Joseph’s Convent (St George’s), is seeded inside the top 8 for the 100m hurdles and within the top 16 among 400m hurdlers across all junior colleges in the United States.
Augustine is slated to contest 4 events across the 3-day meet. Head Coach David Burnett, now in his 4th season, lauded her consistency and resilience ahead of the high-stakes weekend.
“Shantay has been excellent. She shows up every day, does what she’s asked, and always gives 100%, whether in training or in competition. She has four events, the hurdles and the 4 x 1 and 4 x 4 relays over the 3 days. It’s a tough schedule, but we’ll be taking it one race at a time. I know that she’s ready to run well. My only ask is that she continues to give her best and make the final, because she belongs in the final.”
A former flat sprinter with the 473 MVP Track Club, Augustine admits she initially resisted the transition to hurdles. It was her former coach, Albert Joseph, who urged her to embrace technical discipline, a move that has since defined her budding collegiate career.
“I didn’t want to do hurdles initially, but Coach Joseph saw the potential,” Augustine recalled. “I didn’t even want to do anything above 200m, much less the 400m hurdles, but he insisted, especially after I got injured. He was real with me and what that injury meant for my hopes of representing Grenada at Carifta that season and pushed me toward the hurdles. I’m thankful because I am a hurdler now. I love the hurdles, and I’m ready to execute.”
Augustine’s breakthrough has been measurable. The reigning Whitsuntide Games 100m and 400m hurdles champion has posted impressive personal bests this season, including 13.88s in the 100m hurdles and 62.24s in the 400m hurdles. These marks place her among the NJCAA’s elite and suggest she is peaking at exactly the right time to help her team defend its outdoor title.
Despite the pressure of a national championship, Augustine continues to draw strength from her roots. “It’s good to know people back home are still asking my parents how I’m doing,” she said, noting the importance of the support from the Grenadian public.
The path to the title will not be easy. Iowa Western faces a stern test from traditional powerhouses, including New Mexico Junior College, as well as South Plains and Barton County, the latter two fielding a strong Grenadian contingent as well. However, Augustine’s emergence as both a leader and a podium contender underscores the Reivers’ confidence heading into the meet. Fans can follow Augustine and Iowa Western’s title defence live on the NJCAA Network at njcaa.org/network/live.
