[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he 33rd edition of the Carifta Aquatics Championships will be held from March 15 to April 4, 2018, at the National Aquatic Center Kingston and James Bond Beach, St Mary, Jamaica.
Over 550 athletes are expected to converge to vie for Caribbean bragging rights in swimming, artistic (synchronized) swimming, water polo and open water swimming. There will be nine days of hard fought competition among the region’s elite age-group aspirants and many outstanding performances are expected.
Ten of St Lucia’s swimmers have met the qualifying standard set by the SLASA Technical Committee and have been selected to represent this country at this years’ competition.
Competing in the 11 – 12 year age group for the first time at this level is D’Andre Blanchard and Neikeisha Louis. Blanchard holds 12 Double A times of which he needed only three to qualify while Louis holds a triple A earned at the ASATT competition in Trinidad this past December.
Naima Hazel who recently entered her last year in the 11 – 12 year age group and a silver medalist in the 2017 Carifta Swim Meet, is expected to perform exceptional at this years’ competition.
Allandre Cross entering his last year in the 13 -14 year age group, is competing for the second time at the Carifta Swim Championship. Mikaili Charlemagne entering her last year in this group and competing for the third time at this meet, will be competing with only one intention in mind, which is to medal!
Entering into their first year in the 15 – 17 year age group is Jayhan Odlum Smith. He is also expected to represent St Lucia at the Youth Olympic Games later this year in Argentina. Jamaar Archibald is eager to make his mark along with Terrel Monplaisir who was a silver medalist at the 2017 Carifta swim Competition.
Devin Boodha entering his second year in the 15 – 17 year age group, looks forward to bringing home results at this years’ competition.
Absent from the team this year is Katie Kyle who also made the qualifying standard. However, she is currently preparing for the Commonwealth
Youth Games in Australia slated for April 5 – 9.
The St Lucia Amateur Swimming Association is pleased to announce its participation in the Open Water segment of the Carifta Swim Championship. Veronica Brown who previously competed that this level, is expected to compete in the 5k at the James Bond Beach, Oraccabessa, St Mary, Jamaica.
Head Coach Brian Charles was selected by the Technical Committee to lead the 10 member team on their journey to overcome their challenges and conquer their goals in Jamaica.
Constance Rene was selected by the SLASA Executive the Manage the St. Lucia Swim Delegation.
SLASA’s President Eddie Hazel has expressed his confidence that the best performing swimmers have been selected to fight for success in the water and improve on last years’ medal count.
