The Tribune

Swimmers working towards the CARIFTA Swim Championships, scheduled for April 22-26 in Barbados, have one final chance at the BSF Time Trials to qualify for a spot on the team.

The time trials are set for Friday evening (March 21) and Saturday morning (March 22) at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre.

The competition was fierce and fast this past weekend as eligible swimmers competed for a spot on the CARIFTA team and junior swimmers sought to improve their times at the 2nd Annual Atlantic Medical Insurance/Barracuda Swim Club Invitational at the Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatic Centre.

“Atlantic Medical Insurance is pleased once again to sponsor this meet and support the Barracuda Swim Club and the sport of swimming” says Darren Bastian, business development manager at Atlantic Medical Insurance Company.

“Swimming not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but builds character, discipline and self-esteem,” he said.

He wished the swimmers good luck and encouraged them to continue swimming.

Dion Gibson, president of the Barracuda Swim Club, thanked Atlantic Medical Insurance for once again partnering and sponsoring the club.

There were some terrific performances this past weekend, as swimmers, ranging in age from six to 20 years, swam hard and fast, many breaking personal records and walking away with trophies.

In the girls’ eight-and-under division, Marissa Albury of Swift Swimming won the category with 61 points and Devin Cuffy-Bethel took the runner-up award with 49 points.

In the eight-and-under boys, Noah Albury of Abaco Swim Club walked away with the high point trophy with a score of 55 points and Amauri Bonamy of Barracuda Swim Club took the runner-up trophy with a score of 42 points.

Barracuda’s own Mandia Roberts walked away with the high point trophy with a score of 57 points in the girls’ 9-10 division, and the runner-up trophy went to Zaylie-Elizabeth Thompson from Alpha Aquatics Swim Club with a score of 55 points.

For the boys’ 9-10 division, Lamar Taylor of Freeport Aquatics Club took the high point trophy with a score of 63 points, while Roman Pinder of Abaco Swim Club took the runner-up trophy with a score of 49 points.

In girls 11-12, with the high score of 57 points, Amber Pinder of Barracuda Swim Club won the division and the runner-up trophy went to Jewel Pinder of Abaco Swim Club with a score of 43 points.

The Barracuda Swim Club swept the boys’ 11-12 division, as Samuel Gibson took the high point trophy with a score of 57 points, with the runner-up trophy going to his teammate Izaak Bastian with a score of 48 points.

Sian Longley of the Barracuda Swim Club walked away with the high point trophy with a score of 47 points in the girls’ 13-14 division. The runner-up spot, with a score of 40 points, went to Swift Swimming’s Victoria Russell.

In the boys’ 13-14 division, Barracuda swimmer Cameron Riley took the high point trophy with a score of 46 points followed by Joshua Wong of Abaco Swim Club taking the runner-up trophy with a score of 38 points.

The Barracuda Swim Club swept the 15-and-over division. With a score of 59 points, Doran Reed walked away the high point trophy and the runner-up trophy went to Miriam Crispo, with a score of 45 points in the girls’ 15 and over.

In the boys’ division, N’Nhyn Fernander took the high point trophy with a score of 48 points and in a three-way tie, with a score of 41 points, the runner-up trophies went to Farion Cooper, Kohen Kerr and Meshach Roberts.

“We are pleased with our swimmers’ performances. Their commitment to our training programme continues to help prepare them for the CARIFTA trials to be held in two weeks,” says senior competitive coach Travano McPhee.

“Our little ones are swimming hard, and improving with each meet. The progress our junior competitive group is making is remarkable,” noted Barracuda coach Sue Coleby.