A highly motivated and enthusiastic St Lucia National Swim Team returned from the very successful SAGICOR sponsored OECS Swimming Championships held in Grenada over the weekend at the Good Hope Pool, St Paul’s, St George’s, without the Championship Trophy but with a well earned second place.

The Grenadians, who enjoyed the home advantage, fielded a powerful team especially in the female division and placed first with 1780.5 points, followed by St Lucia with 1586 points, third Antigua with 661 points and finally St Vincent with six points.

The well organized meet was sponsored by SAGICOR for the 19th consecutive year. The Grenadians spared no effort in insuring all their guest teams enjoyed excellent hospitality, service and efficient organization.

Leading the St Lucian challenge were the age group winners including Thalia Bergasse who won the Age group trophy in the girls Nine to 10 age group. She gained 81 points garnering five Gold and four Silver medals. Jason Beaubrun captured the Boys 11-12 age group with 88 points, winning nine Gold and one Silver; Runako Daniel in the 13-14 age group registered 94 points with nine Gold, one Silver and one Bronze; Siona Huxley in the 15-17 age group earned 97 points with 10 Gold and one Silver; Julien Brice who won the Age Group trophy in the Boys 15-17 gathered 93 points with nine Gold and two bronze medals.

Following are the various age group winners beginning with the boy’s competition. Eight and Under. Marco Bagnasco, Grenada, 52 points; Nine to 10, Adrian Andall, Grenada, 57 points; 11-12, Jason Beaubrun,
St Lucia, 88 points; 13- 14, Joshua Runako Daniel,
St Lucia, 94 points; 15-17 Boys, Julien Brice, St Lucia, 93 points; 18 & Over, Esau Simpson, Grenada, 79 points.

Girls competition, Eight & Under : Katie Lillie, Grenada, 50 points; Nine to 10, Gabrielle Paparo, Grenada, 70 points; 11-12, Thalia Bergasse, St Lucia, 81 points; 13-14 Ayesha Noel, Grenada, 99 points; 15-17, Siona Huxley, St Lucia, 97 points;18 & Over, Julia Bisschops, Grenada, 99 points.

Other medal winners for the St Lucians were Jean Luc Augier (four Gold, one Silver and one Bronze); Jordan Augier (two Gold and nine Silver); Raina Bergasse (three silver, five Bronze); Laura Bruce (one Gold, one Silver, four Bronze); Jyasi Daniel (one Gold, two Bronze); Evelyn Day (three Bronze); Etan Dyke Elliot (one Bronze) Mark Emanus (one Gold, two Silver); Vanessa Eugene (two Silver, eight Bronze), Sarah Georgeos (one Gold, three Bronze); Jon L Innocent Dolor (two Gold, six Silver, three Bronze), Solange Lenihan (two bronze); Sarah Mayers (two Bronze); Jamie Peterkin (three Gold, three Silver, two Bronze)

St Lucia tied with Grenada with 63 Gold medals each but fell behind in the Silver (39 to 84) and in the Bronze (40 to 59).

The St Lucian team clearly were the weakest in the boys and girls eight and under and nine to 10 years, falling behind the Grenadians and unable to make up the points in the older age groups.
The team would also have to review the disproportionate number of St Lucian swimmers disqualified in the overall meet, 8 DQ for St Lucia, 5 DQ for Antigua, 3 for St Vincent and 2 for Grenada.