SVG swimmers return victorious from 25th OECS Championships

Team SVG returned from the 25th OECS Swimming Championships with 36 medals (eight gold, 16 silver and 12 bronze) and five OECS records, which the SVG Swimming Federation says was the best performance they have had at the OECS Championships.{{more}}

Twenty-three swimmers represented SVG at the meet, which was held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 5 to 8, with 10 persons medalling in individual events, which is a record for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“All SVG swimmers returned with improvements in their personal best times in most events. Shne Joachim and Nikolas Sylvester smashed the OECS 50 and 100 metre Breaststroke records. Cruz Halbich won the first OECS Open Water Championships (a 5 kilometre ocean race). The Boys 11 to 14 age group won gold and set a new OECS record in the 200 metre Medley Relay race,” a release from the association said.

The leading SVG individual swimming performances were by:

Shne Joachim, SVG’s Carifta record holder, swimming in the Girls 13 to 14 age group, won four gold medals, two silver and two bronze medals, while setting three personal best times. Shne broke the previously OECS records in the 50 metre Breaststroke and the 100 metre Breaststroke events. She also won gold in 50m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley events.

Nikolas Sylvester, swimming in the Boys 13 to 14 year-old age group, won a total of 10 medals, two gold, six silver and two bronze. He also placed second in the overall Championship in his age group, while setting six new personal best times. Nik set two new OECS records (in the 50 and 100 metre Breaststroke events).

Kennice Greene, swimming in the Girls 8 & Under age group, won four silver medals and one bronze medal and improved her times in every event. Kennice also finished second overall in her age group. The future looks great for Kennice.

Shane Cadogan, swimming in the first year of the Boys 13 to 14 age group, won two silver and one bronze medal, while setting eight new personal best times. We expect great things from Shane next year.

Other SVG medallists included Adiah Phillips (one silver and one bronze medal swimming in the Girls 8 & under age group); Gerard Geowarsingh (one silver and one bronze swimming in the Men 18 & Over); Kyle Dougan (one gold swimming in the Men 18 & Over); Eltonte Leonard (one bronze swimming in the Boys 8 & Under age group) and Jamie Joachim (one bronze swimming in the Girls 8 & Under).

In the relay events, Team SVG boys, age 11 to 14, set a new OECS record in the 200 metre Medley race. That team comprised Cruz Halbich, Dillon Gooding, Shane Cadogan and Nikolas Sylvester. The same relay team also earned a silver medal in the 200 metre Freestyle event. The Boys 10 & Under relay team earned a bronze medal in the 200 metre Medley Relay. This team comprised Tristan Ballah, Kenale Alleyne, Bryson George and Jayson Sandy.

The first OECS Open Water (OW) Swimming Championships were also held in Antigua and Barbuda. Cruz Halbich of Team SVG is the first ever OECS Open Water Overall Champion (as well as winning his age group category). In the Antigua and Barbuda National Open Water Championships (held in conjunction with the OECS Open Water Championships), swimmers who represented SVG swim clubs Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) and Bequia United Swim Club (BUSC) also had great results. Mya Defreitas (BSSS) was the first placed champion in the Female age 9 to 10 category. Shne Joachim (BSSS) was second in the Female 13 to 14 age group. Alexander Joachim (BSSS) was second in the Boys 11 to 12 years old age group. Tyrell Raquette (BUSC) was first in the Male 15 to 16 age group and he was followed in second and third by his fellow Bequia Swim Club teammates Kenus Tally and Jonelson Compton.