Successful conclusion to swimming nationals

Pirates Swim Club pair of Diego Dulieu and Danielle Treasure stood out as the most outstanding male and female swimmers when the 2021 Barbados Aquatic Sports Association Long Course Nationals concluded yesterday at the National Aquatic Centre in Wildey.

It was an exemplary performance from the young national swimmers who both qualified for the Pan Am Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia.

The 16-year-old Dulieu amassed 3238 points while the 16-year-old Treasure accumulated 3063 for top honours. They swam in the boys and girls 15 to 17 age group.

Dulieu was unstoppable in the boys 800m freestyle winning in 8:39.18 on the final day of the competition. He previously won the 1500m freestyle which also earned him a place at the Pan Am Junior Championships.

Treasure claimed the girls 50m freestyle in 28.39 seconds and the 200m backstroke in 2:25.60 which ensured she will represent Barbados at Pan Am Juniors.

Nickoli Blackman broke the 15 to 17 boys 50m national record in 23.58 seconds to eclipse 23.68 seconds set in 2018 by Jack Kirby. Blackman joined Dulieu and Treasure in qualifying for the Pan Am Junior Championships.

Pirates Club were also dominant in the eight and under boys and girls competition thanks to a great showing from Theo Narain (4174 points) and Kaija Eastmond (4347). They both emerged as the most outstanding junior swimmers.

On the final day of the competition, Narain captured the top podium finish in the boys 50m freestyle in 35.85 seconds and for the girls Eastmond won the 50m freestyle in 34.62 seconds.

The nine to 10 female and male categories belonged to Zachary Burke and Amiya Harrison who both ended the day with unmatched performances.

Burke representing Dolphins Swim Club won gold in the 100m breaststroke in 1:37.93 and also the 50m freestyle in 30.39 seconds ahead of another young upcoming talent, Nikolai Sisnett of Black Sails (BSAIL) (31.93).

Harrison on the other hand ruled the 100m breaststroke and the 50m freestyle. In the 100m, she produced a winning time of 1:35.50 and a showing of 32.37 seconds in the 50m.

Brennan Watson of High Tide StingRay (HTSR) and Jaiya Simmons of Pirates took centrestage in the 11 to 12 boys and girls age group.

Watson was victorious (10:28.03) in the 800m freestyle final in the 11 to 12 boys. Meanwhile, in the 100m breaststroke, Watson finished second in 1:28.41 behind Brendon Gill of Dolphins Swim Club (1:26.02).

In the girls 11 to 12, Simmons stamped her authority as she ended the day with a win in the 50m freestyle. She won gold in 29.15 seconds ahead of the Pirates Club duo of Heidi Stoute (29.50) and Toria Alleyne (30.44).

The top female in the 13 to 14 age group was Heidi Baker but there was a tie between Aquan Crichlow and Ethan Roachford for the boys.

Crichlow of Alpha Club and Roachford of HTSR came first and second respectively in the 200m backstroke. Crichlow won in 2:38.10 and Roachford clocked 2:38.20 as they entertained with an exciting showdown.

Roachford picked up a win in the 800m freestyle. He clocked 9:56.57 ahead of Crichlow (10:35.52) and Amani Millar of Pirates (10:53.91).

Competing in the 50m freestyle Crichlow earned bronze in 29.27 seconds as gold medallist Jaden Johnson (26.85) and Jayden Lavine (27.15) were the top two finishers.

Baker of Pirates roasted her competition in the girls 13 to 14 age group of the 800m freestyle as she produced a winning time of 10:54.27. However, Baker was unable to match her rivals in the 50m freestyle which was won by Sophia Lee.

The 15 to 17 age group belonged to Storme Collymore and Adara Stoddard. Collymore of HTSR executed in the 100m breaststroke in 1:12.88 ahead of his lone rival Kaiel Johnson of BSAIL 1:22.17.

However, it was Stoddard of HTSR who impressed as she erased Alexis Jordan’s 2005 record of 1:18.09 with a new national time of 1:17.71. Stoddard’s clubmate Ameila Mayers followed him in 1:25.85 for the silver.

National water polo standout Nathan James topped the male age 18 to 24 category. However, he had to settle for second place in the 50m freestyle. He clocked 26.11 seconds behind the 25.01 swam by Christien Kelly competing unattached.

The male 18 to 24 age group had other notable names such as Luis Sebastian-Weekes of Pirates and Nkosi Dunwoody of Alpha. Sebastian-Weekes won the 100m breaststroke in 1:10.96 ahead of Dunwoody in 1:11.37 for the second position. Meanwhile the 25 and Over female honours went to Catherine Fox.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb