Saint Lucian Swimmers Stand Tall Against French Competition

Press Release

St. Lucian Swimmers Stand Tall Against French Competition

At the recently concluded CARIFTA Last Chance Swim Meet in Martinique held on Saturday March 16th and 17th 2019, thirteen (13) swimmers represented the island thru 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. 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 fourteen (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 to be held in Barbados April 19 – 22, 2019. 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 Saint Lucian swimmers displayed their aqua-capabilities with a recorded twenty-eight (28) medal haul with notable performances from the following;

Tristan Dorville – 6 gold medals in 50m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke, 100m Freestyle, 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly.

Jayhan Odlum-Smith – 3 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 1 bronze; gold medals in 50m Backstroke, 50m & 100m Butterfly, silver medals in 50m & 100m Freestyle; bronze medal in 100m Backstroke.

Karic Charles – 5 silver medals in 50m Freestyle, 50m & 100m Breaststroke, 50m & 100m Butterfly.

Naima Hazell – 3 medals – 1 gold medal in the 50m Breaststroke, 1 silver medal in 50m Backstroke and 1 bronze medal in the 50m Freestyle.

Ethan Hazell – 3 medals – 1 silver medal in the 50m Backstroke and 2 bronze medals in the 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle.

Mikaili Charlemagne – 2 medals – I silver medal in 100m Freestyle and 1 bronze medal in 50m Butterfly.

Ziv Reynolds – 2 medals – 1 gold in the 50m Breaststroke and a bronze medal 100m Breaststroke

Naekeisha Louis – 1 silver medal in 50m Butterfly
Shalini Joseph – 1 silver medal in 100m Backstroke
Caitlin Polius – 1 bronze medal in 100m

Noteworthy mention must also be made of Allandre Cross, Jeannot & 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 Jayhan 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 would like to 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.