BSSS awarded as top OECS swimming club

Thirteen Vincentian swimmers represented Black Sands Swim Squad (BBSS) from the 26th to 29th May at the highly competitive 25th Annual Barbados Aquatic Centre Invitational swim meet.  

A flurry of medals were won by the Black Sands swimmers over the three days of competition, which attracted more than 19 swimming clubs from throughout the region. The awards didn’t stop at just medals for Black Sands; the club finished the competition claiming the trophy for the top OECS club and also took the third place trophy for the club with the overall highest points. {{more}}

Shné Joachim destroyed the competition in her age group, winning a total of four gold, one silver and one bronze medal, whilst also being awarded the trophy for top girl in her 15 years and over age group. Following suit was brother Alex Joachim, who swam courageously against some of the region’s top swimmers in his age group. Alex came away with a total of five silver medals, five bronze medals and numerous personal best times.

Youngest sister Jamie Joachim wasn’t to be left out of the medal flurry. Jamie swam herself to a well earned silver medal in the 50 metre butterfly and also came back with a total of five personal best swims. 

Swimming for the very first time in Barbados, nine-year-old Eltonté Leonard shocked the competition with his fantastic swimming ability. Eltonté proudly swam himself onto the medal podium, winning gold medals in both the 50 m and 100m freestyle. Swimming in the 9 to 10 years age group, he went on to be awarded three bronze medals, bringing home five medals in total. Swimming in the same age group was team-mate Jayson Sandy. Sandy raced well against Leonard throughout the competition, especially in the exciting 50 metre breaststroke race, which had the spectators on their feet. Sandy and Leonard, along with Barbadian swimmer Omari Sealy, were neck and neck for the entire race, with Sandy touching first for gold, Sealy stealing silver, while Leonard settled for bronze. Eltonté’s two sisters, 13-year-old Eltonia and 5-year-old Eltonique Leonard, also swam themselves to personal best times at the event.

Aaron Defreitas swam in the 13 to 14 age group and brought home a total of three silver medals and four personal best times, whilst his younger sister Mya Defreitas swam three personal best times and contributed to the overall club results by winning valuable points. 

Combining long distance swimming with two powerful backstroke races, 15-year-old Cruz Halbich was next to take a podium stand. Cruz swam himself to a bronze medal in the 1,500 metre freestyle, whilst also winning a silver and bronze medal in the 50 and 100 metre backstroke.   Ria Adams swam personal best times in six out of eight of her events, rose to the challenge in the 200 metre breaststroke and battled her way to a well earned silver medal. 

Caitlin Polious and Sofia Barnwell made up the team of 13 swimmers for Black Sands. Both girls swimming for the first time in Barbados’s huge 50 metre pool, managed to swim themselves to great personal best times.  

Coach Kyle Dougan said the weekend’s results were absolutely fantastic. He made reference to his club’s first appearance at the competition over five years ago and expressed great satisfaction in seeing such a great improvement in his swimmers and their results. 

“Black Sands Swim Squad is going from strength to strength and becoming one of the leading competitive swimming clubs within the Caribbean region. The club will be holding team try-outs at Shrewsbury House from 9 a.m. to 12 noon every Saturday throughout June and July and coach Kyle is welcoming all people interested to come and try out the sport. He can be contacted at 532 9463 or at blacksandsswimsquad@gmail.com,” a release from the club said.