Blue Marlins dethrone Black Sands in invitational championships

Thirty-two swimmers from Black Sands Swim Squad (BSSS) competed in the SVG Gallagher Invitational.

From Left: Matthew Ballah, Kennice Greene, Kentreal Kydd wearing their record breaking NIIFTF caps.

National Swimming Championships held from the September 12-15, 2024. However, it was Blue Marlins Swim Club that swam away with the overall Club Championship.

Other Clubs competing were H2O Lions from Leeward, and Sail Fish Swim Club from Grenada, a release from Black Sands Swim Squad( BSSS) states.

The club won a total of 147 medals during the competition (46 Gold, 53 Silver and 48 Bronze).

Four National records were broken by BSSS swimmers at the meet. Olympian, Kennice Greene, broke the girls 15 to 16 years and the open age group record in the 50m freestyle in a time of 26.37 seconds, a record previously held by Sh’ne Joachim. Greene also broke her own record in the 50m butterfly in a time of 28.64 seconds.

Matthew Ballah was also in record breaking form and broke his 15 to 16 year age group record in the 50m backstroke in a time of 27.77 seconds, previously 27.80 seconds.

Kentreal Kydd, SVG’s 2024 Paralympian smashed his 50m butterfly record by 2.11 seconds, swimming a new record time of 39.69 seconds.

The BSSS individual sprint champions for the competition were: Ira Hadley, girls 8 and under age group.

Kione Deshong, boys 9 to 12 age group.

Kennice Greene, girls 15 and over age group, also winning the overall age group champion.

Matthew Ballah, boys 15 and over age group, also copping the overall age group champion.

BSSS Head Coach, Kyle Dougan congratulated all the swimmers that took part, as well as the Blue Marlins Swim Club for winning the overall club champions.

“Swimming in St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to go from strength to strength and I encourage more youngsters to get involved in the sport,” Dougan is quoted in the release as saying.

BSSS also has extended appreciation to Tus-T Water for becoming the new club sponsor and helping to support the sport of swimming.