AT the recently concluded CARIFTA Last Chance Swim Meet in Martinique held this past weekend, thirteen swimmers represented the island through their respective Clubs –viz. Seajays, Lightning Aquatics, Sharks and Sailfins Swim Club.
Shalini Joseph, the lone representative of Sailfins Swim Club was coached by Henry Joseph; while the remainder of the team was coached by Norman Banfield and Peter James. In Martinique, the team was under the watchful eyes of Manager, Yasmin Tyson.
At this CARIFTA Last Chance Swim Meet, the Saint Lucian swimmers displayed their aqua-capabilities with a record 28 medal haul.
According to Saint Lucia Aquatic Federation, Public Relations Officer, Sue Monplaisir, this Swim Meet was geared towards swimmers aged 14 years and older, however, special provisions were made for Saint Lucian swimmers below the age requirement.
Primarily, Saint Lucia’s confirmed CARIFTA qualifiers used this outing to assess their preparation and race strategy for the upcoming CARIFTA 2019 Championships to be held in Barbados on April 19 – 22, 2019. Subsequently, this Swim Meet also provided persons still desirous of making the Saint Lucia National team a window for qualification.
At this CARIFTA Last Chance Swim Meet, the Saint Lucian swimmers displayed their aqua-capabilities with a recorded 28 medal haul with several notable performances.
Leading Saint Lucia’s charge on the podium was Tristan Dorville and JayhanOdlum Smith; the two swimmers won a total of 12 medals between them. Doville picked up 6 gold medals – gold in the 50 metres Backstroke, 100 metres Butterfly, 100 metres Backstroke, 100 metres Freestyle, 50 metres Freestyle and 50 metres Butterfly respectively.
Senior male swimmier for the Year, JayhanOdlum-Smith won gold in the 50 metre Backstroke, 50 metre and 100 metres Butterfly, silver medals in 50 metres and 100 metres Freestyle; bronze medal in 100 metres Backstroke.
Karic Charles – 5 silver medals in 50 metres Freestyle, 50 metres and 100 metres Breaststroke, 50 metres and 100 metres Butterfly.
Naima Hazell – 1 gold medal in the 50 metres Breaststroke, 1 silver medal in 50 metres Backstroke and 1 bronze medal in the 50 metres Freestyle, Ethan Hazell – 1 silver medal in the 50 metres Backstroke and 2 bronze medals in the 50 metres Butterfly and 50 metres Freestyle, Mikaili Charlemagne – 1 silver medal in 100 metres Freestyle and 1 bronze medal in 50 metres Butterfly.
Ziv Reynolds, 1 gold in the 50 metres Breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 100 metres Breaststroke; Naekeisha Louis – 1 silver medal in 50 metre Butterfly; Shalini Joseph – 1 silver medal in 100 metres Backstroke and Caitlin Polius – 1 bronze medal in 100 metres Butterfly
Noteworthy mention must also be made of Allandre Cross, Jeannot and Simone Walters and Chloe Thomas who also travelled with the team and put in praiseworthy performances recording personal best times in a few events.
A new age group national record was set by Jayhan Odlum – Smith in the 50 metres Butterfly.
The swimming fraternity of Martinique continues to provide Saint Lucian swimmers with an exceptional environment for the development of the sport. The Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation would like to thank the organizers of the CARIFTA Last Chance Swim Meet and the Longvilliers Club du Lamentin for their support, commitment and hospitality.