Twelve year-old Saint Lucian swimmer Fayth Jeffrey who presently resides in Barbados with her parents continued her dominant performance in the pool. Fayth, whose birthday was on December 1st 2021 took part in six events over six days at the annual Barbados Amateur Swimming Association (BASA) Short Course National Championship held at that country’s aquatic centre this past week.
Competing for Pirates Swim Club, Fayth reset the clock in six Short Course Age Group 11-12. She blew away her competitors to win three gold medals, nine silver medals, one bronze, two fourth places and one fifth place finish.
The records smashed along the way include the 11-12 year-old 400 metres free set by Katie Kyle in a time of 5:06.26 seconds at the 2015 Short Course Nationals in Saint Lucia. The new record set by Fayth is 4:50.76 seconds (2nd place/ silver medal)
Thalia Bergasse 11-12 years old 200 metres Backstroke in a time of 2:47.02 seconds at the 11th RHAC Invitational Swim Meet in Saint Lucia. The new record set by Fayth is 2:43.87 seconds (2nd place/ silver medal)
Sara George 11-12 year-old 200 metres Breaststroke in a time of 3:06.23 seconds in Saint Lucia. The new record set by Fayth is 2:59.66 seconds (1st place/ gold medal).
Eden Crick 11-12 100 metres Individual Medley (IM) in a tie of 1:14.88 seconds at the 2014 Lucian Grand Prix. Previous National Record (Saint Lucia) Siona Huxley in a time of 1:14.51 seconds in 2009. The new record set by Fayth is 1:11.88 seconds (2nd place / silver medal).
Katie Kyle 200 metres IM in a time of 2:41.40 seconds at the 2015 Short Course Nationals. The new record set by Fayth is 2:35.21 seconds (2nd place/ silver medal).
Eden Crick 400 metres IM in a time of 6:07.89 seconds. Previous National Record (Saint Lucia) Natasha Georges in a time of 5:35.91 seconds 2005. The new record set by Fayth is 5:32.89 (1st place/ gold medal)
In the following events she also performed outstandingly: 100 metres Fly 2nd place/ silver in a time of 1:11.60 seconds; 200 metres Freestyle 5th place in a time of 2:22.89 seconds; 100 metres Freestyle 4th place in a time of 1:03.90 seconds; 50 metres Backstroke 2nd place/ silver medal in a time of 34.69 seconds; 400 metres Freestyle 2nd place/silver in a time of 4:50.76 seconds; 200 metres Fly 2nd place/ silver medal in a time of 2:43.06 seconds; 50 metres Breaststroke 2nd place/ silver medal in a time of 37.88 seconds; 100 metres Backstroke 2nd place/ silver medal in a time of 1:15.48 seconds; 100 metres Breaststroke 1st place/ gold medal in a time of 1:21.93 seconds and in the 50 metres Freestyle 4th place in the time of 30.05 seconds.
“Her training, determination and hard work these couple of months and the results have shown,” her mother Donna Kaidou Jeffrey said,
She added, “We are surprised but extremely happy for her. Events like the 200 metres Backstroke she has never done before. She would have medaled and swam an age group record. This speaks to the level of improvement she has had across the board.”
“We were also taken by surprise in the 400 metres IM National Record, as this is the second time she is doing this event. Once at Long Course and now at Short Course,” Jeffrey said, adding that Fayth is a hard working swimmer who puts in the work and is excited by the journey, but who enjoys the sport.
“We will continue to support her in all aspects.” She stated.
Meanwhile, Fayth has already qualified for the 2022 Carifta Swim Championship scheduled for Barbados over the Easter weekend, and Central American and Caribbean Amateur Swimming Confederation (CCCAN) championship in Barbados in July where she will represent Saint Lucia in several events.
