2017 CARIFTA Swim Team Selected
2017 CARIFTA Swim Team Selected
Congratulations are in order for our seven qualifiers to represent Saint Lucia in the 2017 CARIFTA Swimming competition that is to be held in the Bahamas, 15-19 April.
The girls will each swim six races. Katie Kyle (14) and Mikaili Charlesmagne (13) will compete in the 50m and 100m back stroke, fly and freestyle. Naima Hazel, who with 11 years participates for the first time at CARIFTA, is entered for 50m of all fours strokes, as well as 100m free style and 100m breast stroke.
The four boys on the team are Jyasi Daniel (17), Jamarr Archibald, Terrel Monplaisir and Jayhan Odlum-Smith (all 14). Jaysi will swim four events: 50m and 100m fly and freestyle. Jayhan will compete in the 50m and 100m fly, as well as all offered freestyle distances: 50m, 100m, 200m, 400, and 1500m. Terrel is set to swim 50m and 100m back stroke, 50m, 100m and 200m breast stroke, 200m and 400m IM. Jamarr is entered for eight events: 50m, 100, and 200m backstroke and freestyle, 100m fly and 200m IM.
This year, Saint Lucia does not have any swimmer in the open water competition. Given the small number of national open water events, swimmers have few opportunities to qualify.
When asked what they loved most about swimming, most team members mentioned the opportunity to travel overseas and make new friends. Katie stressed how she just loves to be in the water. Jyasi, who is studying in the USA, reflected on the discipline and time-management skills swimming has taught him. No question: these athletes also grow as individual personalities through their chosen sport, swimming. Given the high cost of participation in overseas meets, the Saint Lucia Amateur Swimming Association (SLASA) is grateful to its sponsors and members, who tirelessly raise funds, so that our swimmers can participate in these regional and international competitions. Sponsors for Saint Lucia’s swimmers’ participation in CARIFTA include: St. Lucia Olympic Committee, LUCELEC, Flow, West Indies Shipping, Cherina Emmanuel, the St Lucia National Lotteries Authority, and Bank of St. Lucia. Supporters include: Mike Snader – nutritionist expert consultancy, Felly Belly – drinks, Bay Gardens Beach Resort – weekend for two raffle prize and use of facilities, Terry Finistere – motivational speaker, Eastern Caribbean Diving – complimentary diving and snorkeling as bonding activity, Soin De Beaute Day Spa – massage for swimmers, Anthony Bristol – team branding, Unicomer – contribution towards sweat suits.
Young talent Naima’s greatest achievement so far were three gold medals at the 2016 Goodwill Championship, where she also broke the meet records in the 50m and 100m breast stroke. Her long term goal is representing Saint Lucia in the Olympics. Katie, the Junior Sportswoman of 2017, shares this ambition and has her eyes firmly on the 2010 games. Swimmers recalled representing Saint Lucia at regional and even a few global competitions, such as OECS, CISC, CCCAN, and Junior World Championship, with a great sense of honour. Their proudest moments were improving their PB (personal best) times or medaling at these events. For Terrel and Jayhan, their swimming highlight thus far was being nominated Junior Male Swimmer of the year.
The national swim team will be accompanied by Coach Brian Charles, Team Manager Sue Monplaisir, and Chaperone Indy Kyle. SLASA wishes the team all the best during their travel and CARIFTA championship!