Cayman’s very own 200-metre NCAA record holder Jaiden Reid received a warm welcome upon his return home after a historic, record-breaking performance on 12 June at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
On 25 June, the Owen Roberts International Airport transformed into a vibrant celebration as the 21-year-old Louisiana State University sprinter stepped back onto home soil since the championships.
He was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, local track teammates and coaches, government officials, and a special delegation of students from his former school, Prospect Primary School.
The excitement at the airport was visible, especially for the young students from Prospect Primary School who showed up to welcome Reid.
“Seeing Jaiden today felt like a miracle because he won that race, and he was a past student from Prospect Primary, and we’re here today to celebrate him,” shared student Samayra Barnes.
Fellow student Dax Strachan was equally thrilled, noting, “It felt exciting that he won a big race and then came back home to celebrate it. It feels encouraging because he’s this fast, so we can also be this fast when we grow up.”
For those who have been by Reid’s side from the very beginning, the moment he arrived home was deeply special.
Reid’s mother, Denise Brown, reflected on her son’s recent 200-metre achievement and the immense dedication required behind closed doors.
“It’s been a long time coming. People haven’t seen the behind scenes. He went through some rough times. It has been rocky, but because of hard work, dedication and discipline, he’s now reaping what he worked for and I’m so elated, happy and relieved seeing him accomplish what he wanted,” Brown said.
Looking ahead, Brown said, “My hope for Jaiden is that his dream materializes, that he keeps breaking records and that he remains humble while trusting himself and God.”
His father, Michael Reid, spoke about how he supported his son in his dream.
“If your child has a passion for something, get out there and support them as much as you can because they can excel,” he said. “Look at what Jaiden has become. I can remember the days when we were riding from the track and going home to cook the right food or just searching for the right spikes to wear. Go out and support your child in anything that they aspire to do and be very involved in their journey.”
Reid’s achievement also resonated strongly with his peers in the sport. Caymanian sprinter and national record holder Rasheem Brown, Reid’s fellow countryman, Mustang Track Club teammate, and Prospect Primary alumnus was also there to cheer on his friend upon his arrival home.
“It feels really good to be here supporting Jaiden. He came out on a big stage at the NCAA Championships and did his thing. He did what I was hoping to do when I was in college, so I’m excited for him and I’m happy to see what will come in the future,” Rasheem said.
“What Jaiden did is a great inspiration for me, the community and the children of Cayman,” he added.
Stepping into the arrival’s terminal, the champion himself was visibly moved by the outpouring of love from those who showed up to welcome him home.
“It’s a surreal feeling to have the Caymankind behind me, everybody here supporting me, from Prospect Primary, my old school, to my friends and family. It’s an amazing feeling,” Reid said.
Reflecting on the race itself, he revealed that the record wasn’t even on his mind. “At first, when I went to the blocks, the last thing the commentators mentioned was the record, but it wasn’t on my mind. I just wanted to win,” he said.
“When finishing the race, I didn’t really see the time at first, but I knew I won. After taking a peek at the scoreboard, I saw my time and I was ecstatic. It was an amazing feeling, and I’m still shocked to this day,” he said.
Reid hopes his accomplishment serves as a beacon for the next generation of local athletes.
“Hopefully this achievement means a lot to them and reminds them that even though we come from a small country, we can go up against other countries like the USA, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and Jamaica. I hope they realise that they can do it, too, and that anything’s possible.”
Looking ahead, Reid has his sights set on his next international competitions happening next month, which include the NACAC Under-23 Championships and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
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