The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN the Bahamas Swimming Federation/Royal Bank of Canada 2016 National Swim Championships kick off today at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, multi-national record holder Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace intends to make another splash.

The 26-year-old graduate of Auburn University will be the top contender for the Bahamas in the Nationals as she prepares for her third trip to the Olympic Games in August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“My season has been going well,” she said. “I have been focusing in a lot more on the 50 freestyle versus the 100 freestyle which was my main event before but between my coach and I we feel I have a better opportunity in the 50 freestyle in Rio.”

Coming into the nationals where she’s expected to face some top-notch competition from around the world, Vanderpool-Wallace had a relatively active year, competing in five meets on a pro-swimming circuit where she has done extremely well.

“I have posted pretty good times heading into Rio, so I’m pleased with my performances,” she noted. “In the 50 free my best has been a 24.8 which is about 5 tenths off of my best and generally where I am in season.

“As for the 100m freestyle, my best so far has been a 54.1 which is also about 5 tenths off my best and is a great time for me so far for this season.”

The most decorated swimmer in the country has posted lifetime best times of 24.34 in the 50m free and 53.73 in the 100m. No doubt, with the competition she expects here this week at the Nationals and next week at the Caribbean Islands Swim Championships, Vanderpool-Wallace feels she can swim even faster.

“At this point in my season, because I am fortunate enough to have already qualified for Rio, my coaches and I are using this extra time to work the small details that won’t affect my overall training,” she said.

“We wanted to make sure I am technically good in the water as well as doing all the strength exercises out of the water. In preparation for coming to the Bahamas for Nationals and CISC we are working on having my swims in the Bahamas be fun and enjoyable before the real stress races come in about a month in Rio.”

The perennial national champion said she’s eager not only to come home and defend her titles in the nationals, but also to show to the country that she’s prepared for the challenge that will be provided by the visiting swimmers.

But she’s also making the trip home a personal one.

“I am really excited to come home and compete, swimming at home allows me to really enjoy the experience and compete while also spending time with family and friends that I don’t have the chance to see very often,” she said.

Once the nationals are done this weekend, Vanderpool-Wallace said she will turn her focus on the CISC.

“CISC is really going to be the same process as nationals in that I want to just have fun and enjoy the experience,” she said. “I haven’t had a chance to represent my country in my own country since 2004 I believe so it will be a great part of my journey into the games. 

“I am really looking forward to CISC and I hope the Bahamian people come out and support the strong team the federation has put together. It should be a great event and lots of Olympians and Olympic hopefuls will be competing as this meet is the last event in the region to present qualifying times.”

As for the Olympics, Vanderpool-Wallace said her season geared towards her having a banner performance in Rio where she hope to become the first Bahamian to win a medal at the four-yearly games.

“I just want to do my best in Rio and that is all I can pray for,” she stressed. “I have put in the hard work and obviously I would love to stand on the podium and possibly hear the Bahamas national anthem play, but I think that along with the support of Bahamians and my family I will preform to the best of my abilities whatever that brings. “ 

Although she has qualified so far in both the 50 and 100m free, Vanderpool-Wallace said if the opportunity presents itself where she also qualifies in the 100 butterfly, she will welcome it, but she’s contended with what’s on her agenda so far.

In addition to her two appearances in the Olympics, Vanderpool-Wallace also represented the country at the World Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games.

At the 2012 Olympics in London, England, she was the first Bahamian to make the final in a swim event, while at the 2011 FINA Wortld Championships in Shanghai, China, she was seventh overall in the 50m free.

And at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in , Vanderpool-Wallace won a silver medal in the 50m fly, was fourth in the 50m free and came in fifth in the 100m free in producing one of the best individual performance ever.