IT’S the final day of competition in the pool — and tomorrow, all eyes will be on the Open Water event which SLASA has opted out of this time around, at the 28th edition of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Swimming (OECS) Championship currently ongoing in Antigua.
Just before press time last evening, news coming from Antigua at the end of day 2 (Friday 9th), Saint Lucia had already captured twenty nine medals: 13 gold, 11 silver and 5 bronze.
Gold medal winners – Fayth Jeffery (2), D’ Andre Blanchard (2), Jayhan Odlum – Smith (2), Tristan Dorville (3) and Antoine Destang (3), Eden Crick (1).
Silver medallist – Antoine Destang (3), D’Andre Blanchard (2), Fayth Jeffery (2), Mikaela Casimir (2), Therron Herelle (1), Jayhan Odlum- Smith (1).
Bronze medallist – Mikaili Charlemange (2), Eden Crick (2), Mila Festina Cromer (1).
Saint Lucia’s Fayth Jeffery leads the charge in the girls 8 and under with 32 points; 2 gold, 2 silver.
In the process, Saint Lucia has also set three OECS records.
In terms of the points table, defending champions Grenada lead the charge with 822 points, 87 points clear of hosts Antigua and Barbuda (735 points), Saint Lucia 636 points and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 529 points, round off the top four spots.
More on the team performance in Tuesday 13th November edition of the VOICE.
Meanwhile, “Dig Deep”, that’s the quote coming from Jennot Walter a swim parent whose son Jennot Walter is a member of the Lightning Aquatic Club and is currently in Antigua competiting in this year’s Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championship which commenced on Thursday evening at the Vipers Pool in Antigua.
By all indications, the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association (SLASA) has adopted the above quote by encouraging its 34 member team to give everything they have, from deep within throughout the championship.
The participating countries are – Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the French speaking Island of Martinique and hosts Antigua and Barbuda.
The above teams mentioned will be looking to dethrone defending champions Grenada, which last year, at the Rodney Heights Aquatic Centre, topped the points table with 1360 points, followed by Saint Lucia 1344 points, 3rd Antigua and Barbuda on 1240 points, 4th Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 807.05 points.
In terms of preparation, the swimmers were under the watchful eyes of Brian Charles – Head Coach, David Peterkin and Peter James – Assistant Coaches.
Kerita Charles (Lightning Aquatic) takes charge of delegation along with SLASA’s Secretary Constance Rene.
According to SLASA, the team preparation was geared on building strength and working on areas where swimmers required improvements.
Saint Lucia’s aim is to bring home the 2018 championship trophy by placing high points on the board; SLASA continues to focus on its developmental plans and working with clubs to ensure all swimmers have a fair advantage of competition in Saint Lucia and at regional and international events.
The Saint Lucia squad in Antigua reads – 8 and Under Boys and Girls Thaeden Antoine (Sharks), Sylvester James (Seajays), Noah Dorville (Seajays), Fayth Jeffery (Southern Flying Fish) and Mila Festini Cromer (Seajays).
9 – 10 Boys and Girls Therron Herelle (Seajays), Karic Charles (Lightning Aquatic), Tristan Dorville, Antoine Destang (Sharks), Jasmine Stiede (Sharks), Maya Brathwaite (Sharks) and Zoe Bernard (Sharks).
11 – 12 Boys and Girls D’Andre Blanchard (Seajays), Nathan Vigier (Seajays), Naima Hazell (Lightning Aquatic,) Nakeisha Louis (Lightning Aquatic) and Caityln Polius (Seajays).
13 – 14 Boys and Girls Alandre Cross (Sharks), Ziv Reynolds (Sharks), Jennot Walters (Lightning Aquatic), Mikaili Charlemagne(Sharks), Shalini Joseph (Sports Academy) and Marissa Louisy (Seajays).
15 – 17 Boys and Girls Jayhan Odlum Smith (Seajays), Cavaari Taylor (Seajays), Felix Frederick (Seajays), Eden Crick (Sharks), Mikaela Casimir (Sharks) and Abbie Pultie (Sharks)
18 and Over Boys and Girls Runako Daniel (Sharks), Omar Alexander (Seajays), Joshua Adjodha (Sharks), Vernessa Eugene (Sharks) and Evelyn Day (Sharks).
