At the recently concluded CARIFTA Last Chance Swim Meet in Martinique held March 16-17 St Lucia returned home with 28 medals. Thirteen swimmers represented the island through their respective Clubs – Seajays, Lightning Aquatics, Sharks and Sailfins Swim Club. Shalini Joseph, the lone representative of Sailfins Swim Club was coached by Henry Joseph. The remainder of the team was coached by Norman Banfield and Peter James. The Team Manager was Yasmin Tyson.
This Swim Meet was geared towards swimmers ages 14 years and older, however, special provisions were made for St Lucian swimmers below the age requirement. Primarily, St Lucia’s confirmed CARIFTA qualifiers used this outing to assess their preparation and race strategy for the upcoming CARIFTA 2019 Championships, taking place in Barbados April 19 – 22. Subsequently, this Swim Meet also provided the opportunity for persons still desirous of making the St Lucia National team a window for qualification.
At this CARIFTA Last Chance Swim Meet, the St Lucian swimmers displayed their aqua-capabilities with with notable performances from the following: Tristan Dorville – six gold medals in 50m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly. Jayhan Odlum-Smith – three gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze. Gold medals in 50m backstroke, 50m and 100m butterfly. Silver medals in 50m and 100m freestyle. Bronze medal in 100m Backstroke.
Karic Charles – five silver medals in 50m freestyle, 50m and 100m breaststroke, 50m and 100m butterfly. Naima Hazell – three medals, one gold medal in the 50m Breaststroke, one silver medal in 50m backstroke and one bronze medal in the 50m freestyle. Ethan Hazell – 3 medals – one silver medal in the 50m backstroke and two bronze medals in the 50m butterfly and 50mfFreestyle. Mikaili Charlemagne – two medals – one silver medal in 100mfFreestyle and one bronze medal in 50m butterfly.
Ziv Reynolds –two medals – one gold in the 50m breaststroke and a bronze medal 100m breaststroke. Naekeisha Louis – one silver medal in 50m butterfly. Shalini Joseph – one silver medal in 100m backstroke. Caitlin Polius – one bronze medal in 100m 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 efforts in their events, recording personal best times in a few events. A new age group national record was set by Odlum Smith in the 50m butterfly. The swimming fraternity of Martinique continues to provide St Lucian swimmers with an exceptional environment for the development of the sport. The St Lucia Aquatics Federation thank the organizers of the CARIFTA Las Chance Swim Meet and the Longvilliers Club du Lamentin for their support, commitment and hospitality.
A special thank you to the Clubs and parents for their continued support of our efforts, as we forge ahead in the growth and development of the sport.
