The Tribune

THE Sea Waves Aquatic Team, headed by Shirley Mireault, provided an opportunity for the local swimmers to participate in a slightly different format than the usual swim meet held in the Bahamas Swimming Federation.

More than 154 swimmers braved the weather as they participated in the SWAT's Heptathlon at the Betty Kelly Kenning swim complex on Saturday.

"I was pleased with how well they swam considering the conditions of the water," Mireault said. "We had assistance in running the meet from other clubs, parents and volunteers from some of our local high schools. This is a good way for them to put in their required volunteer hours and I am sure the other clubs would also appreciate assistance with timing for their meets."

Mireault said despite the fact that only two of the four heaters were working in the pool, the swimmers endured the chilly weather and still performed very well. All swimmers in each age group had to complete all of the events scheduled in order to be eligible for the individual trophies.

As for the team competition, the Barracudas emerged as the champions with 1,012 points, while Alpha Aquatics was second with 448. The newly formed Mako Aquatics got third with 432, the host Sea Waves were fourth with 226 and the Lyford Cay Club rounded out the top five in a close finish with 224. The Mantas Water Polo Club got sixth with 203 and Team Orca got seventh with 188.

Individually, eight-year-old Chelsea Smith, of the Mantas, amassed a total time of 14 minutes and 31.59 seconds to win the girls' eight-and-under division, followed by Taylor Knowles, 7, of Sea Waves Aquatic Team in second place with a total time of 15:20.04.

Anjaleah Knowles and Taliyah Bowe, two 10-year-olds from the Sea Waves Aquatic Team, were the only two competitors to complete all seven events in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle, 100 fly, 100 back, 100 breast and the 200 individual medley races. While Knowles won in a total time of 13:40.61, Bowe was a close second in 13:52.09 seconds.

Mireault noted that a lot of the 11-year and older swimmers were focusing on making the cut for CARIFTA and other national teams going away this year so they did not participate in all of the events in their categories.

She added that the younger swimmers are also trying to make the Goodwill Games team, which will be travelling to Barbados in August this year. Both Anjaleah Knowles and Taliyah Bowe have been on that team for the past three years since the Bahamas has been a part of that competition. Mireault said she anticipates that they will once again lead the Bahamas contingent this year. "We are now a permanent member and will host it a few years down the road when we come up in the rotation of hosts," said Mireault of the meet that is normally held late in the summer.

"All in all we feel it was a successful meet. We were able to start an hour earlier than usual on the evening so were done by 7pm so the cold was not as big a factor as it could have been. It was beautiful weather for both sessions with sun out in the morning. The fact of poorly heated water was the problem."