SAINT Lucia swimmers Niama Hazell and Neikeisha returned home with 1 silver and 1 bronze medal after competing at the Central American and Caribbean Championship (CCCAN) which ended at the Piscina Olimpico Roly Bisslik, Savaneta in Aruba this past weekend.
Guyana, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, Cayman Islands, Surinam, and Venezuela of the South American Confederation; while Martinique and Guadeloupe of the French Swimming Federation along with Saint Lucia, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago were just some of the countries participating.
According to the Saint Lucia Swimming Association, Public Relations Officer Sue Monplaisir, Saint Lucia has competed at this high-level swim championship and has been consistent in achieving medals every year, in 2014 the team return with one medal; in 2015 ten medals; in 2016 three medals; in 2017 two medals and this year two medals.
The Saint Lucia squad comprised of D’Andre Blanchard, Naima Hazell, Neikeisha Louis, Mikaili Charlemagne, Katie Kyle, Devin Boodha, Ethan Dyke Elliott, Jamarr Archibald and Jayhan Odlum Smith.
Hazell swimming in the 11 – 12 year old 50 Meter Freestyle in a time of 27.61 seconds and Neikeisha Louis swimming in the same age category in the 50 Meter Fly in a time of 30.42 seconds.
Both swimmers reign from the Lightning Swim Club.
Nine age group records were broken by Naima Hazell in 50 Free and 50 Back, D’Andre Blanchard in 100 Free, Ethan Dyke Elliott in 200 metres and 100 metres Freestyle, Devin Boodha in 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres Breaststroke and Jayhan Odlum Smith in 50 metres Fly.
Five new national records were set, Naima Hazell in the 50 metre Free, Ethan Dyke Elliott in the 200 metres and 400 metres Free and Devin Boodha in the 50 metre and 100 metres Breast.
Peter James, Head Coach, expressed though the competition was a tough one, he was grateful for the efforts of the entire team. He further articulated his satisfaction with the two medalist and looks forward to representing Saint Lucia again as the Head Coach.
The team was also accompanied by Team Manager Sabrina Odol, Chaperone Tessa Louis and SLASA President Eddie Hazell.
Meantime, SLASA congratulates the entire team on their achievements at this year’s CCCAN Championship.
The Association now shifts its focus to the Goodwill Championship scheduled in August 2018 in Barbados.