The first day of the 2018 Walter Rogers Age Group Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Jamaica held yesterday Tuesday Feb 13 saw the distance titles being decided.
The fastest performers were Britney Williams of the Swimaz Aquatics Swim club in the 15 and over 800 metre freestyle and Jordane Payne of the Y Speedos Swim Club in 15 and over 1500 metre freestyle.
Williams extended her unbeaten winning streak in the event to five years when she took the title in a time of 10:04.37.
Williams, who is the fastest ever locally trained middle to local distance freestyle swimmer finished ahead of the Y Speedos duo of Naomi Eaton 10:18.31 and Karci Gibson 10:43.94. When draftingthecaribbean spoke to Williams she gave her impression of her performance and building up to CARIFTA
“The race was okay .it was better than the Karl Dalhouse race because I did not feel as tired during and after the event so I am really looking forward to CARIFTA and going sub 10 minutes and hopefully getting a medal”.
Britney’s Golden Years at Age Group Champs
| Year | Age | Age Group | Time | Place |
| 2018 | 16 | 15 and over | 10:04.37 | Gold |
| 2017 | 15 | 15 and over | 10:09.85 | Gold |
| 2016 | 14 | 13-14 | 10:26.36 | Gold |
| 2015 | 13 | 13-14 | 10:36.30 | Gold |
| 2014 | 12 | 11-12 | 11:33.68 | Gold |
In the 1500 metre freestyle Payne topped all comers with a time of 18:35.69. He was followed to the wall by teammate Dominic Mullings who punched the clock in 18:48.56. The Y Speedos trifecta was completed by 13-14 Gold medallist Zachary Johnson who dropped more than 20 seconds to be timed in 19:44.98. Payne spoke to draftingthecaribbean after his win
“The 1500 was a very good race, one of my best in Jamaica. It was a very challenging race and I had to be pacing myself but it has put me in a good position to win the high point trophy at this competition”.
Topping the 800 for 13-14 girls race was Zaneta Alvaranga of the Kaizen Swim club who posted a personal best of 10:44.63. Tornadoes swept the top 11-12 positions for girls and boys with Ireland Hunter touching in 11:37.30 for the 800 and Joshua Mair registering 21.12.51 for the 1500.
