WITH 23 days to go, the Saint Lucia Aquatic Federation has confirmed Saint Lucia’s 10 member squad to compete at this year’s CARIFTA Swim Championship scheduled to take place in Barbados April 11th to the 25th at the Barbados Aquatic Center. The swimmers will compete in a 10 Lane 50 Metre pool with Daktronics Electronic Timing System.
According to Sue Monplaisir, SLAF Public Relations Officer and team manager for the Carifta squad, though the preliminary team was announced earlier, potential swimmers had a final opportunity of joining the team by making the qualifying times at the Last Chance Carifta meet in Martinique this past weekend.
Unfortunately no one stepped up to the mark of obtaining a minimum of 3 AA times, the qualifying standard for being a member of this year’s team.
The swimmers are: 11 – 12 year old Karic Charles, Tristan Dorville and Caitlin Polius. 13-14 year old Ziv Reynolds, D’Andre Blanchard, Naima Hazell and Naekeisha Louis.
In the 15-17 year old category are Mikaili Charlemagne, JayhanOdlum Smith and TerrelMonplaisir.
Four of the swimmers, namely Karic Charles, Tristan Dorville, Caitlin Polius and Ziv Reynolds, will be making their debut at this level of the CARIFTA Swim Championship.
D’Andre Blanchard, medal winners at the 2018 CARIFTA Championship and recipient of the SLAF Junior Male Swimmer of the Year award will be at it again with Naekeisha Louis for their second year.
Naima Hazell, SLAF Junior Female Swimmer of the Year 2018 award winner and another medal snatcher at the 2018 championship will be competing at this year’s Championship for her third year.
Makaili Charlemagne, who received an award in the SLAF 13-14 Age Group, will be competing for her fourth year.
Seasoned swimmer JayhanOdlum Smith, SLAF 2018 Senior Swimmer of the Year, participant of the Youth Olympic Games and 14th Fina World Course will be competing at the Carifta Swim Championship for his sixth year. Joining him is TerrelMonplaisir recipient of SLAF Back and Breast Stroke Awards and Backstroke medalist at the 2017 Championship, one of eight medals attained over his competing years at the Carifta Championship.
Though not competing at the open Water Event this year, SLAF is currently looking forward to providing opportunities and setting protocols for more local training and competitions in Open Water.
Hilroy Emanus is expected to represent as a technical official at the Carifta Championship.
The CARIFTA team will be supervised under the watchful eye of Team Manager Sue Monplaisir, Head Coach David Peterkin and Chairperon Brenda Portland.
SLAF is confident that its team will step up to the plate and grace the podium in 2019 with their achievements.