BSSS swimmers deliver record breaking performance at Time Trials

Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) swimmers attended the Time Trials event hosted by the SVG Swimming Federation over two weekends, which started on Thursday, June 24 and finished on Monday, July 5.

BSSS head coach Kyle Dougan

A total of eight national records were broken and 124 personal best times were achieved.

Claiming the most National records was OECS age group champion Eltonique Leonard. Competing in the girls 9-10 age group, Eltonique broke the 50-metre Breaststroke record in a time of 40.34 and then went on to break the 100-metre Breaststroke record in a time of 1:29.21. She also smashed the 100-metre Individual Medley record in a time of 1:17.97.

Matthew Ballah swam himself into the record books, becoming the new name on the block, breaking the 100-metre Freestyle record in a time of 58.68 and the 50-metre Backstroke record, which was previously held by Carifta gold medalist Alex Joachim, in a time of 30.95. Matthew finished the event having swam times that now rank him in the top five percent of American swimmers in his age group.

Kione Deshong broke his own record by six seconds in the 100-metre Breaststroke, in a time of 1:44.23.

Another newcomer to the record books in the boys 9-10 age group, was Tyler Robinson, swimming the 50-metre Butterfly, in a time of 30.03.

In the girls 13-14 age group, Kevern DaSilva got herself back into the record books in the 100-metre Backstroke, swimming a time of 1:09.68.

BSSS head coach Kyle Dougan was delighted with the participation and results from the time trials. “After the disruption of COVID-19 and the recent volcanic eruption, the efforts and continued enthusiasm of all swimmers and parents who continue to encourage participation in the sport are fantastic for the future of swimming in St Vincent and the Grenadines. It is amazing that records continue to be broken and long may it continue.”