The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

The medal haul continued last night for Team Bahamas in the Leyes de Reforma Aquatic Center at the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico.

Junior swim sensation Joanna Evans won her second medal of the meet - a silver in the women’s 800m freestyle.

Evans finished in 8:39.61s and was just edged out for the gold at the wall by Andreina Pinto of Venezuela, who finished in 8:39.49s. Natalia Jaspeado of Mexico was third in 8:41.38s.

For Evans, the talented middle distance swimmer bound for the University of Texas, it was her second medal of the meet, following the silver medal she won on opening night in the 400m free.

It brought the Bahamas’ medal total to five, including three gold from Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace in the women’s 50m fly, 100m fly and 100m free.

The women’s 4x100m free relay team closed out the night for the Bahamas and finished in fourth position, just missing the medal podium. The Bahamas swam 3:53.61s for fourth while Mexico took gold and set a new CAC Games record in 3:47.89s.

The youngest member of the team, 15-year-old Margaret Higgs, advanced to her fourth final of the meet in the women’s 200m individual medley. Higgs finished fifth in 2:24.96s. Andreina Pinto of Venezuela finished first, with her first gold medal of the night in a time of 2:18.31s. Maria Fernanda Gonzalez of Mexico was second in 2:20.27s and Barbara Caraballo of Puerto Rico was third in 2:20.88s.

The Bahamas Olympic Committee congratulated the outstanding Bahamian swimmers, particularly Vanderpool-Wallace and Evans who have medalled thus far.

“The performances by the entire Bahamas swim team in Mexico and these two young ladies in particular is a testament to the success of the country’s excellent swim programme and The Bahamas Swimming Federation,” said Olympic Committee secretary general Romell Knowles.

“The swimmers all work very hard to perfect their talent, and these medals are the reward of some very hard work. Arianna is now a mature talent, having medalled in two different events, and we are all very excited with the emergence of Joanna Evans as a major new regional standout in swimming.”

Both Arianna and Joanna are being supported by The Bahamas Olympic Committee and “we are also very proud that young Bahamian swimmer Margaret Albury Higgs is proving to be one of the most outstanding junior swimmers in the region,” said Knowles.