Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace swims to gold medal at Pan Am Games

Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's 50m freestyle final at the Pan Am Games in Toronto. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

As of Friday, July 17, 2015

ARIANNA Vanderpool-Wallace continues to break records and win medals for the Bahamas at major swimming championships.

On Friday night, at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, the country's most decorated swimmer sprinted to gold in the women's 50m freestyle final. It adds to her bronze medal in the 100m freestyle on Tuesday.

Vanderpool-Wallace withdrew from the 100m butterfly final on Thursday night to concentrate on her signature event and was imperious throughout the heat and final, for which she was the fastest qualifier.

She edged out the Brazilian, Etiene Medeiros, and Natalie Coughlan, of the United States, in the final, winning in 24.38 seconds.

She swam 24.31 in winning her morning heat, breaking the Pan Am Games record set minutes earlier by Medeiros of 24.75 and equalled by American Madison Kennedy, who trailed in behind Vanderpool-Wallace in the qualifier.

Ariel Weech, the second Bahamian competing in the event, finished seventh in the B final in 26.28.

Dustin Tynes finished second in the B final of the men's 100m breaststroke in 1min 2.49sec, beaten on a touch by Carlos Claverie, of Venezuela.

Raptor22 9 years, 5 months ago

congratulations Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, we needed a star to shine down on our Bahamas during its darkest and most desolate times in history. Shine on girl.

TalRussell 9 years, 5 months ago

Comrades we are all so proud of Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace swimming to bring back home the gold medal. At the same we are as proud of all our Pan Am Games amazing athletics, there is nothing to feel guilty about missing out on winning a medal. No one on the team should feel you disappointed the homeland. The people's of your Bahamaland support your gallant efforts and your sportsmanship on display while representing Bahamaland,
We wish you one and all a safe time in Toronto, Canada and a safe return to the homeland.

SP 9 years, 5 months ago

............ Congratulations Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace and team Bahamas! ...............

Fitting that someone from an Island nation would win the gold in swimming.

B_I_D___ 9 years, 5 months ago

Every person in this nation should be able to swim like a fish...we are surrounded by water...we have a better chance of making our marks in the water than we do on land.

ThisIsOurs 9 years, 5 months ago

"and was imperious throughout the heat and final,"??:)... anyway:), good job Arianna, Dustin and Ariel!

ReallyRUSure 9 years, 5 months ago

If you insist on using big words to impress - can you at least use them correctly?!!

im·pe·ri·ous ˌimˈpirēəs/ adjective assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering. "his imperious demands" synonyms: peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritative, lordly, assertive, bossy, arrogant, haughty, presumptuous.