THE Rodney Height Aquatic Centre will tomorrow morning stage a developmental meet, the first this year for the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association in preparation for the CARIFTA Championship scheduled for April 15-19 in Nassau, Bahamas.
The competition is expected to be fierce as the likes of JayhanOdlum Smith (junior male swimmer for 2016), Terrell Monplaisir, Jamar Archibald, Katie Kyle (junior female swimmer for 2016), Niama Hazell, Ziv Reynolds and Mikaeli Charlemagne have already gained spots on the Saint Lucia CARIFTA team.
Currently based in Canada, Ethan Dyke Elliot is close in making the time, while Jaysi Daniel, who is based in the USA, has also qualified for the Games. The two are attending college and it remains uncertain whether they will join the team in the Bahamas in April.
The meet is expected to see some terrific performances in the 11-12, 13-14 and 15-17 age categories for both sexes as another six swimmers are likely to qualify either tomorrow or on Sunday, February 19 at the Independence Classic scheduled for the RHAC.
There is the chance for Eden Crick, Naekeisha Louis, Devan Boodha, Omar Alexander, Christopher Phillip and D’ Andre Blanchard to meet the standards for CARIFTA as determined by SLASA Technical Team.
Over 115 swimmers will be representing six of the seven swim clubs on island, namely Sharks, Sea Jays, Lightning Aquatic, Racers Southern Flying Fish, Romain Roosevelt and newly-formed RR Aquatic Swim School, and will compete in the following events: 200-metres relay, 100-metres freestyle open, 50-metres butterfly open, 100-metres individual for 8 and under swimmers, 200-metres individual medley for 9 and under swimmers, 100-metres breaststroke open, 50-metres backstroke open, 200-metres freestyle open, 100-metres butterfly open, 50-metres breaststroke open, 100-metres backstroke open, 50-metres freestyle open and 200-metres freestyle relay open.