OVER 150 competitors from seven swim clubs around the island will continue their rivalry in the pool at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre today from 9:15 a.m.
Dubbed the “Capri Sun National Championship/Organization of Eastern Caribbean Swim Trials”, the event is organized by the Seajays Swim Club in collaboration with the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association (SLASA).
Following the event, the SLASA technical team will select a 34-member contingent to represent Saint Lucia at this year’s OECS Swim Championship slated for Saint Lucia.
Meanwhile, at last evening’s official opening ceremony, a number of addresses were made by key stakeholders, including SLASA President, Eddie Hazell; Seajays President, Jacqueline Smith; and a representative of Capri Sun.
This was followed by session 1, which included the 50-metre backstroke, 100-metre freestyle open (9-and-over), 400-metre freestyle open (9-and-over), 4 x 50 freestyle mixed relay (10-and-under), 4 x 50-metre freestyle mixed relay (11-14), and 4 x 50-metre free mixed relay (15-and-over).
Today, the event shifts into high gear with session two with the 200-metre freestyle open (9-and- over), followed by the 50-metre butterfly open (9-and-over), 25-metre backstroke (8-and-under), 100-metre backstroke open (9-and-over), 50-metre breaststroke open (9-and-over), 50-metre breaststroke (8-and-under), 100-metre freestyle open, 4 X 50-metre medley (10-and-under), 4 X 50-metre relay (11-14) and 4 X 50-metre medley (15 and over).
Tomorrow is the final day of competition and from 9:15 a.m. will feature the 100-metre individual medley (10-and-under), 200-metre individual medley (11-and-over), 25-metre butterfly (8-and-under), 100-metre butterfly open (11-and-over), 25-metre breaststroke (8-and- under), 100-metre breaststroke open (9-and-over), 25-metre freestyle (8-and-under), 50-metre open (9 and over), 4 X 50-metre freestyle relay (10-and-under), 4 X 50-metre freestyle relay (11-14) and 4 X 50-metre freestyle relay (15-and-over).
Some of Saint Lucia’s top performing swimmers at the recently-held Goodwill Games in Guyana will be on show, including Antoine Destang, who will lead the charge in the boys 8-and-under category while the ever-improving Ziv Reynolds, Omar Alexander, D’Andre Blanchard are expected to be strong contenders in their respective age categories. Much is also expected from Naekeisha Louis, Marisa Louisy, JorjaMederick, Sunshine Mauricette and Anya Hilaire in the girls’ category.
Also in action in the various female categories will be seasoned campaigners Eden Crick, Mikaili Charlemagne, Tammy and Abbie Pultie, Jasmine Steide, Anyka Holder, Naima Hazell, LovelleMottley, Maya Hilaire, Shernice Popo, and Mikaela Casimir.
The 2016 Junior Swimmer of the Year, JayhanOdlum-Smith, will look to dominate. However, TerrelMonplaisir, Allandre Cross, Devin Boodha, Jonathan Calderon, Ian Shivnauth, Niall Bergasse, Jamarr Archibald, TherronHerelle, Ethan Hazell and Kyle Ambroise will also want to impress the technical team as they seek to make Team Saint Lucia.
