Black Sands Swim Squad remains Top Club for fifth consecutive year

The 5th Annual FLOW Invitational swimming competition took place at Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre from August 16 to 19, where once again St Vincent’s Black Sands Swim Squad was victorious, winning the trophy for Top Club for the 5th consecutive year.

A total of 34 Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) swimmers took part in the competition consisting of swimmers from clubs from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and four clubs from SVG. 

Carifta 2018 gold medallist Alex Joachim, was in record-breaking form taking a total of seven national records in the boys 13 to 14 years age group. Joachim also had an impressive medal count, winning a total of 13 gold medals, and was awarded the trophy for Top Boy in his age class, confidently securing his spot on the 2019 CARIFTA team. His younger sister Jamie Joachim kept up the family medal flurry and won 5 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Leading the way for the girls was 12-year-old Mya Defreitas, who swam herself to a total of 13 medals – 6 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze. Whilst doing so, Mya smashed eight national records in the 11 to 12 years age category, and also achieved CARIFTA 2019 qualifying times in five events. Her brother, Aaron, fought hard in the very competitive boys 15 and over category, winning 4 silver medals and made one of the two qualifying times needed to attend CARIFTA.

Shane Cadogan who recently returned from the CAC Games in Colombia, broke five national records in the boys 15 years and over category. Seven gold medals were awarded to Cadogan throughout the competition and he also secured qualification times for CARIFTA. Sibling Paige Cadogan didn’t allow her brother all the glory. Paige won an impressive 11 gold medals and was awarded the trophy for the Top Girl in the 13 to 14 years age group.

Cruz Halbich swam himself into the national record books, breaking a total of four National records in the boys 15 years and over category. Halbich won 6 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at the event, claiming the trophy for top boy in his age group.

Top boys age group trophy for the 11 to 12 year category went to BSSS’ Jayson Sandy. He won 3 gold and 9 silver medals. Kathryn Cumberbatch was top girl in the 8 and under, winning 2 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.

Other BSSS medal winner swimmers were:

Abigail Deshong, 2 silver, 3 bronze; Kevern Dasilva, 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; Katriel Bailey, 1 gold; Naira John, 1 bronze; Tia Gun-Munro, 4 bronze; Kenale Alleyne, 1 gold, 3 silver, 6 bronze; Tristan Ballah, 6 gold, 1 silver; Alexander Cyrus, 1 bronze; Brandon George, 2 gold, 7 silver, 1 bronze; Bryson George, 2 gold, 8 silver, 1 bronze; Dillon Gooding, 1 gold, 1 silver; Kyle John, 1 silver, 2 bronze; Tyrese Lewis, 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze; Anwar Medjahed, 1 silver, 2 bronze and Chayse Roberts, 1 bronze  BSSS head coach Kyle Dougan said he is overwhelmed with delight at the results from all the swimmers, whilst also being very impressed with the results from the other clubs in SVG. He said the support from FLOW was fantastic and the help from the parents made the meet a great success.