Cayman Islands Olympian and the region’s fastest junior girl in the 100 metre butterfly Jillian Crooks got her individual programme started in that event on the opening day of the 2024 CARIFTA Championships. The 15-17 record was held by Jamaican and Louisiana State University freshman Sabrina Lyn. The Bolles school graduate set that mark of 1:02.14 at the 2022 edition of the meet. Crooks had set her nation’s and the regional junior standard of 1:01.44 at the TYR Pro Swim Series – Knoxville in January. The Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center will be her home pool as she joins her brother at the University of Tennessee in fall.
Jillian en route to a new national record in the 50 metre butterfly
Photo courtesy of Harold Wilson
She lowered the Lyn mark with a swim of 1:01.76. With Crooks raising the CARIFTA standard with the first ever sub 1:02 swim could she challenge her own regional best. Always ready to race the TAC Titans conditioned swimmer was well ahead on the first 50 metres with a split of 28.39. She continued to pull away to take the Gold in a new PB, 15-17 CR and yet another regional best of 1:00.22.Silver was earned by countrywoman Sierrah Broadbelt in 1:04.08 and the Bronze by Seannia Norville-Smith of The Bahamas in 1:05.86
Jillian was just off mere hundredths of becoming the first female junior to record a sub minute 100 metre butterfly performance. She belongs to the elite top five fastest woman ever to have competed at CARIFTA. Two of those ladies are in the commentator’s booth at these Championships. They are Olympic finalists Bahamian Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace and Jamaican Alia Atkinson. The list is completed by Olympic medallist Malia Metella of French Guiana and the region’s current fastest woman Bermudan Emma Harvey. The way the best performers raced this event can be seen in their splits for their best times. Metella was at one point in her career the French national record holder in the event that goes to show the quality of the swimmers the region has produced.
Malia Metella celebrating Olympic Silver in the 50 metre freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics Photo courtesy of zimbio
ANALYSIS OF THE BEST PERFORMERS IN THE 100 METRE BUTTERFLY
Crooks will be looking to get well under the minute mark as this season continues as the region’s youngsters show they can compete on the international level.
But she is not just good in the 50 she is an all round good breaststroker . Not just good but the among the best ever juniors in the region. On the opening day of the CARIFTA Championships yesterday in The Bahamas she was entered with a seed time of 2:49.07 in the 15-17 age group. She was 13-14 regional champion with a time of 2:49.17 in 2023. That is significant as the Eastern Caribbean best for the 15-17 was 2:52.05 by Saint Lucian Danielle Beaubrun. Her country’s 15-17 mark stood to Gabriella John from the 2016 Championships of 2:57.17. Shaw got to work in the morning heats and destroyed both marks stopping the clock in a time of 2:45.46. That gave her the accolade of being the fastest junior swimmer in Eastern Caribbean history as no other girl had ever gone under 2:50. She was already the overall national record holder with her 13-14 winning mark from 2023 .
Ellie Shaw receiving the award as the top 13-14 at the Antigua and Barbuda swimming federation awards ceremony in March. Photo courtesy of Antigua and Barbuda swimming federation
The smooth stroking Shaw also secured lane four for the medal race. What could Antigua and Barbuda,the EC (Eastern Caribbean_ region and the entire CARIFTA region expect from the rising star. Excellence! The pace of the race was dictated by hometown star and Texas Christian University Rhanishka Gibbs. The Bahamian was in control of the race until the last 65 metres when Shaw changed gears and pulled away . When she stroked powerfully and smoothly away from the field the eyes were on the clock as she ended the race as a competition . The time on the clock would read 2:39.13 !!! Gibbs won the silver in 2:49.16 and the Cayman Islands Kaitlyn Sullivan the Bronze in 2:49.70.
Ellie Shaw . Photo courtesy of the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation
That is a new PB, 15-17 record , national record, EC junior best and overall EC standard. It marked the first time any EC woman had ever swum under the 2:40 barrier. It was also the first time an EC young lady had ever won the 15-17 200 metre breaststroke title. The previous EC best had stood at 2:43.21 for over decade. Beaubrun had swum that time at the Mare Nostrum European tour in 2012. The change of pace from Shaw in the heats and finals showed there is much more to come from this young star.
ANALYSIS OF RECORD SWIMS
This is also the first sub 2:40 swim for the girls at CARIFTA since 2017. That when a CARIFTA legend Albury Higgs won the last of her three senior girls title in 2:39.05. In fact this is the first time a girl from another nation outside of the Bahamas has won the title in under 2:40. Those stars include McKayla Lightbourn (Florida State University) Laura Morley (Indianna) and Albury Higgs (South Carolina)
Albury Higgs
Photo courtesy of Bahamas Aquatics
SUB 2:40 CARIFTA WINNERS
Albury ‘s Championship record of 2:35.33 also stands as the CARIFTA region junior best. So with Shaw just being in her first year look for Antigua and Barbuda’s reigning Junior Sportswoman of the year to be the not only her nation and the EC best but for the greatest junior of all time in the CARIFTA region
The US Virgin Islands and the CARIFTA region have felt very proud of Max Wilson and continue to do so with his performances for Florida State University . The sophomore is the all time leader for the school and the region in the 100 yard backstroke . At the NCAA Division I Championships at IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis, Indiana he got his name on the school record board again as a member of the standard setting 400 yard medley relay team.
At the James E Martin Invitational earlier this year he lowered his own regional 100 yard backstroke standard of 45.32. Wilson brought the region that much closer to seeing the first sub 45 seconds with a swim of 45.24. He would get the school record . The school mark of 45.31set by Belarusian Olympian Pavel Sankovich from the 2014 ACC Champs. Sankovich had the lead leg that helped them take the ACC title in a programme record of 3:04.47.
Max Wilson Seminole and CARIFTA region standard bearer in the 100 yard backstroke.Photo courtesy of seminoles.com
ANALYSIS OF WILSON’S REGIONAL STANDARD SETTING SWIMS
That helped Max punch his ticket to his first NCAA Division I Championships. There he came close to lowering his record swim. He placed 23rd in a time of 45.44 (split time 21.90) . It took 45.20 to earn a second swim.
Record setting FSU medley relay . Photo courtesy of seminoles.com
He would not be finished as he helped in taking the Seminoles under the 3:04 mark in the 400 yard medley relay. Last night the team of Wilson 45.57, Italian Tommaso Baravelli on breaststroke duties 51.67, German on the butterfly leg 45.30 and countryman Peter Varjasi on anchor with a a freestyle split of 41.28 propelled the team to 12th in 3:03.82.
Head Coach Neal Studd
Photo courtesy of Florida State Swimming And Diving
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
Wilson is not only the fastest CARIFTA region has ever seen in the event the weight of his sub 46 speaks to his quality. That 400 medley relay leg was his 11 th time under that barrier. Head Coach Neal Studd has again conditioned another CARIFTA region age group champion to be the best for their school and the among the best in the region. Just a few of the names that Coach Studd has prepared for greatness include Bahamian Izaak Bastian, Suriname’s Evita Leter, Lani Cabrera of Barbados, Saint Lucian Danielle Beaubrun.
Max Wilson .Photo courtesy seminoles.com
Wilson is a special talent and proved that at the CARIFTA level. He won Gold at every age group in the 100 metre backstroke.In 2017 he captured the 11-12 Gold in 1:08.63. In 2019 he won the 13-14 crown in 1:00.35. Wilson concluded his CARIFTA career with a podium topping performance of 57.99. Max continues to prove what quality he and the region has on the elite level.
The Cayman Islands Jordan Crooks continues to raise the bar for the University of Tennessee and the CARIFTA , Caribbean and CCCAN regions. Crooks , a junior for the Volunteers is the best ever for the school and from the region in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events and the 100 yard butterfly . Yesterday at the 2024 NCAA Division I Championships at IUPUI Natatorium, Indianapolis, Indiana he added the 200 yard freestyle to his impressive list of accolades.
Jordan Crooks 200 yard freestyle Tennessee and regional record breaker. Photo courtesy of Tennessee swimming and diving
At the beginning of the season his PB was was 1:32.07. That was broken twice at the 2024 SEC Championships first to 1:31.45, then a Bronze medal winning effort of 1:31.17. In the heats of the event he unleashed the fastest time ever done by a Volunteer of 1:30.41. That bettered the regional mark of 1:30.95 set by Trinidad and Tobago legend Dylan Carter. He recorded that time leading off the University of Southern California Trojans at the 2017 NCAA . That team placed fifth in a time of 6:10.97. The new top three reads Crooks 1:30.41, Carter 1:30.95 and Aruban star Mikel Schreuders 1:31.27. Mikel set that mark winning the 2019 SEC Championships.
Dylan Carter
Texas Invite
Photo courtesy of Walt Middleton/usctrojans.com
ANALYSIS OF THE REGION’S FASTEST PERFORMERS
Mikel Schreuders
That earned him a place in the final. It also saw a return by the region to the medal race. Schreuders had placed eighth in 1:32.75 after posting 1:32.15 in the heats.Crooks produced the best Volunteer finish since 1990 and the best for the region since 2011 with a sixth place performance of 1:31.03. That is also the best time by a regional swimmer in the 200 yard freestyle final,.
Cayman Islands Swimming legends
Shaune and Brett Fraser
Photo courtesy of Cayman Compass
CAYMAN ISLANDS EXCELLENCE
The Cayman Islands can again boast about their swimmers performance in this race at the NCAA Division I Championships. They now have three men who have made the finals ,the Fraser siblings and Crooks. In 2009 Shaune won the 2009 crown in a University of Florida and regional standard setting time of 1:31.70. His brother Brett took the 2011 crown in a time of 1:32.21 . Again the Cayman Islands have the fastest swimmer in the region thanks to Crooks.
Crooks raising his hand in victory and to be counted of the CARIFTA region’s all time greats
Photo courtesy of Tennessee Swimming and Diving
Jordan in his last CARIFTA in 2019 in Barbados he won the 15-17 title in a then PB of 1:57.20 (split 57.20).Jordan again serves as an inspiration for the regional swimmers in what can be achieved through hard work
One of the swimmers who will be competing at the 2024 CARIFTA Championships in record breaking form will be Jamaican Brady Lewis MacPherson Lewison.
Competing in a 50 metre butterfly time trial in January for the Golden Horseshoe Aquatic Club in Canada Brady became the fastest Jamaican junior of all time . He became the first Jamaican junior ever under the 25 seconds barrier stopping the clock with a time of 24.84. It was massive time drop as his previous PB was 25.89.
Nicholas Vale
Photo courtesy of Mike C Lyn
Falling to Brady was the 2018 record set by outstanding Jamaican junior Nicholas Vale. That year competing for the Pine Crest Swim club he set the 15-17 mark and fastest Jamaican junior time of 25.41. That placed him fourth at the Florida Gold Coast Senior Long Course Championships of that year.
Zarek Wilson.Photo courtesy Alabama swimming and diving
Brady’s new record is faster than the existing CARIFTA record for the 15-17 boys. The 25 seconds barrier was broken by outstanding Trinidad and Tobago junior Zarek Wilson of Trinidad and Tobago. He set the standard of 24.95 last year in Curaçao to take the Gold. Wilson is now a standout freshman for the University of Alabama competing now at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
MacPherson Lewison, who has experience at the World Junior Championships competing last year in Israel now has 13 Jamaican junior records. He is also now the third fastest Jamaican of all time. The list is headed by Justin Plaschka 24.21 with his 2016 victory in the 18 and over category at the now defunct Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships. The record performance by Brady has him ranked number two in the 15-17 age group in Canada this season and ninth of all time in Canadian swimming history
Brady MacPherson Lewison at the 2023 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships
Draftingthecaribbean got the chance to get Brady’s improvement of the Jamaican junior standard
“I have always been more of a backstroker, but I started doing more fly in practice and am really having fun with it. I was thrilled with my time. I want to thank my coach, Grey Fairly and my parents for their dedication to me and my journey to this point in my career. None of this is done alone and is not possible without the support around me”.
The best medal by Jamaican in this event in the 15-17 age group was by the junior star Brad Hamilton who took Silver in front of a home crowd in 2007. The fastest time a Jamaican at CARIFTA in 25.71 by Sidrell Williams in taking CARIFTA Bronze in Aruba ten years ago. Brady is seeded number one but will be challenged by the likes of rising regional stars countryman Nelson Denny, Bermudan Elijah Daley, Trinidad and Tobago star Darren Belfon, hometown star “Marvelous Marvin Johnson Jr” and the expected firepower from the Eastern Caribbean Antigua and Barbuda’s Tivon Benjamin and Bolles Saint Lucian duo of Antoine Destang and Tristan Dorville.
The year 2012 would be a special one for Team Jamaica’s Xavier Boland. Representing Kingston College he defended his pole vault title with an effort of 4.20 metres in March. At the Walter Rogers Age Group Championships in February representing the Tornadoes swim club he posted the fastest time of the meet in the 50 metre breaststroke of 32.97. He would earn his place on both the CARIFTA track and field and swimming teams.
Xavier Boland soaring to a new pole vault record
He would speak to the Draftingthecaribbean team about that year
“In 2012, I embarked on an ambitious journey: aiming to clinch gold medals at the swimming and track and field Carifta games. Often, success is described as the fusion of preparation and opportunity, yet many accomplished individuals acknowledge the role of luck or blessings. Serendipitously, 2012 was a leap year, which enabled me to pursue this dual challenge. The strategic scheduling of the games, held a week apart due to the leap year, allowed me to meticulously prepare for both events within a five-month timeframe”.
I have four vivid and cherished memories from those CARIFTA games. One standout moment was when a track official in Bermuda congratulated me on winning the pole-vault. Surprisingly, I felt a bit disappointed as I hadn’t broken the CARIFTA record yet. I remember vividly the photo capturing that feeling. The official then asked if I was competing in any other events, to which I replied, “Yes, I’ll have to make up for it in the breaststroke event in the Bahamas.” This unconventional response surprised the senior official, who was expecting a more traditional event like the 200m run. Another memorable moment was when we landed in Jamaica after the track games, and I was suddenly instructed to turn around and head to the Bahamas for another set of games. The expressions of shock on the faces of my coaches and colleagues at the sudden turn of events stayed with me, as it seemed they hadn’t truly grasped the extent of my participation in a whole other set of CARIFTA games in a different sport and country”.
That year he would win the pole vault in 4.40 in Bermuda and place eighth in the 15-17 50 metre breaststroke in 32.59, in the heats he swam 32.13. That breaststroke final saw some of the very best all time swimmers in the event to include Jordy Groters from Aruba, Diguan Pigot and Rafael van leeuwaarde from Suriname, Dustin Tynes from the Bahamas and Ross Phillips and Johnathon Ramkissoon from Trinidad and Tobago.
“This brings me to my final two points on the topic of memorable moments – the camaraderie among teammates striving to excel and represent their country with dedication, paired with the meticulous efforts of senior staff and coaches to ensure smooth operations, allowing us to focus solely on competing. It instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude for being part of a collective endeavor that brings joy, hope, and a strong sense of pride. Standing on the podium, knowing I represented my country well and made both my island and family proud, is an unmatched feeling. I am most thankful for the opportunity to be part of this enduring legacy”.
Boland also saw the young talent on display at the final high school competition of the season , the Mayberry Investments meet and gave his thoughts on the emerging stars
Xavier Boland and the rising stars at the 2024 Mayberry Investments swim meet
from left to right Kai Radcliffe and Matthew Kennedy of Wolmer’s Boys, Boland,Howard Wallace of Jamaica College and Ky mani Hendricks of Kingston College
“Reflecting on the recent Mayberry meet, it was heartening to witness the enduring vitality of the swimming world through the emergence of talented young athletes. The adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same” rings true in this context. It brings me joy to see individuals still harboring ambitions in swimming, and I take pride in the diverse representation across all categories. While swimming may not command the same spotlight as track and field or football, I perceive it to be akin to the elegance of golf or tennis. Globally, swimming receives significant coverage, particularly during the Summer Olympics, where it garners substantial viewership”.
“My advice to the younger generation may not be conventional, but it’s rooted in my own experiences. Effective communication is key – athletes, coaches, and parents should all be aligned to prevent conflicts and manage expectations. For athletes, self-awareness is vital. Mental and physical well-being are equally crucial, as some talented individuals might face hurdles in their progress due to mental strain or inadequate nutrition tailored to their unique needs. In swimming development, a personalized approach is essential, as what works for one may not benefit another”.
I have two pieces of advice for those competing at the upcoming CARIFTA Games. Firstly, physically, 90% of your current capabilities are a result of the prior weeks’ and months’ hard work. However, your performance this weekend will largely be influenced by your state of mind. If you are confident in your preparation, the results will reflect that. Sometimes, we get so consumed by worrying about the competition that we overlook our current potential. The key is to give your utmost effort and aim to surpass your previous best performance. This mindset fosters growth and progress, leading you towards becoming a champion. Concentrate on outdoing your past self in habits, routine, and discipline. Your moment to shine will undoubtedly arrive. The second piece of advice is to savor the experience, relish the cheers, and appreciate the rewards of your hard work. Usain Bolt’s ability to showcase showmanship stemmed from his understanding that the groundwork had been laid, and excellence was already achieved through training. This is not the time for tension and anxiety; one should remain focused yet relaxed. A lighthearted spirit can enhance performance by allowing muscle memory to guide actions effortlessly. Stay composed, breathe deeply, and execute. Your accomplishments will become history, making your country proud beyond a doubt”.
The final meet of the this year’s high school and tertiary season saw Campion College’s Aliyah Heaven announce herself as one of the best sprinters Jamaica has produced. She captured all three 50 metre freestyle titles this high school season in record breaking fashion in the 17 and over age group., She ended the season producing the fastest time ever by a Jamaican girl in school competition at the crown jewel of the high school season, the Mayberry Investments Swim championships.
Heaven speaking at the launch of the 2024 Mayberry Swim Championships.
Photo courtesy of Mayberry Investments Limited
This school season Heaven took down the ISSA 50 metre freestyle record with a swim of 27.40. That took place on January 17 at the National Aquatic Centre. On March 2 she returned to the venue and took her tenth overall school girl title in another meet record of 27.41. At this point her 27.40 in January was the fastest girls time recorded for the season. She recorded her personal standard of 27.20 twice. First at the Dean Martin Memorial Invitational last year and then at this year’s Walter Rogers National Age Group Championships. But her final school meet for the season would prove special as she advance Jamaican school girl swimming. She broke the 27 seconds barrier and crushed her PB to record a quick time of 26.64.It was well under the meet record of 28.03 .
Fastest Jamaican schoolgirls of all time
from left to right Heaven, the best ever in the 50 metre freestyle, Stephanie Harrison vice president of marketing, Wainwright best ever in the 50 metre backstroke
Aliyah also helped pull Montego Bay High school’s Leanna Wainwright under the record as well as she won Silver in a PB of 27.49.
Heaven bettered the Jamaican high school girls best of 26.87 helped by the Immaculate Conception duo of Christanya Shirley and Zaneta Alvaranga.Shirley broke the 27 seconds barrier last year with a heats swim at the ASAJ meet. The pioneer under the 27 seconds was Alvaranga who swam that time at the same meet in 2022.
Silver and Gold medallist
MacDonald and Lyn
Photo courtesy of CCCAN
That performance by Heaven is the fastest by a Jamaican woman on local soil this season. The fastest time recorded in Jamaica this year is by Cayman Islands Olympian Jillian Crooks who is of Jamaican parentage. Crooks recorded a 15-17 all comers record of 25.91 at the 2023 Christmas Open. Heaven is the joint second fastest Jamaican woman this season. The top three swimmers all hail from Campion College. Emily MacDonald , a graduate of the Hope Road based institution and the Bolles School in Florida is the leader with a time of 26.23. Emily is the 50 yard freestyle record holder for Columbia University. Heaven is tied with another Sabrina Lyn , a freshman at Louisiana State University and graduated also from Campion and Bolles recorded the same time in November .
Aliyah Heaven. Photo courtesy of Carla Hollingsworth
Aliyah, who holds the 15-17 50 freestyle Goodwill meet record in short course metres at 27.18 has now entered the chat to be among Jamaica’s elite female sprinters. The new top ten now is now seen below
Alia Atkinson
JAMAICA’S FASTEST WOMEN
Aliyah will be competing at the CARIFTA Championships where she will be facing some of the best sprinters from the region that include Trinidad and Tobago Olympian Cherelle Thompson and Bermudan Madelyn Moore who have recorded many sub 26 performances . That provides a great opportunity to move up the rankings and get that 25 second performance.
On Friday March 15, 2024 Jamaican junior history was created. The star performer was from Western Jamaica. It was Montego Bay High School for Girls Leanna Wainwright.She would stand atop the medal podium to claim the 17 and over 50 metre backstroke title , Championship record and Jamaican 15-17 record in the event. The occasion was the final competition on the Jamaican high school and tertiary Championships calendar , the prestigious Mayberry swim meet.
Leanna and Coach Adolfo
Leanna, who is one of the nation’s rising stars continues to fulfill her potential. Conditioned by Cuban Adolfo Morales Claro who was the Jamaican World Championships in Doha recently and will be present as a coach at the upcoming CARIFTA Championships in The Bahamas she has a stellar high school career. Since 2018 representing the Union Street based institution Leanna has competed in the 50 metre backstroke 13 times and has always medalled.
Leanna Wainwright with CARIFTA 2019 11-12 100 metre backstroke Gold Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
In fact she has been the top performer ten times with the other medals being Silver in the 11-12 age group in 2018 and and Silver and Bronze in 2019 in the 13-14 age group. Since then she has been unbeatable in the country. At all three high school competitions she has put down her marker as the fastest school girl in the competition.
This year at the ISSA meet she set the standard of 30.55. That was the fastest Jamaican high school time ever.She eclipsed her own Jamaican high school best set at the 2022 Mayberry competition of 30.56. At the ASAJ meet she again proved she was the best the meet had ever seen with a Championship mark of 30.91.
The country knew Wainwright had more in store as she recorded a PB at the Christmas open in a time of 30.25. There she pushed herself well against the winner Cayman Islands Olympian Jillian Crooks recorded a time of 29.20. The time by Crooks, who has Jamaican parents is the fastest time ever done in the 15-17 age group in Jamaica.
Brianna Anderson,Jamaica;s fastest ever female sprint backstroker celebrating Silver in the 15-17 50 metre backstroke in a new NAGR of 30.22
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
It also put Leanna within touching distance of the Jamaican 15-17 mark of 30.22 set by Immaculate Conception’s Brianna Anderson . That standard was set at the 2019 CARIFTA Championships in Barbados when Anderson donned the national colours to take the Silver behind Trinidad and Tobago’s Gabriela Donahue . Donahue took the Gold in 29.99
Leanna with a Mayberry representative after establishing a new national junior record in the 50 metre backstroke of 30.10.
So knowing she has the ability to race against the all time best in the Caribbean best juniors the question was could Leanna dig deep to race against the clock and take all three high school 50 metre backstroke titles and the coveted junior record. The answer would be a resounding YES. Competing in the 15th event of the day it would be Wainwright raising her hand establishing Western Jamaican dominance in the event with a new 15-17 record of 30.10!
Leanna at the 2024 ASAJ Meet after winning ninth high school 50 backstroke title
After her last record breaking exploits at the ASAJ meet she gave her insight about the school meets and chasing the junior record
“I am always excited for school meets in my opinion it is a different energy from a club meet so I was thrilled to se t a new record in the 50 metre backstroke record at the ASAJ meet.My main goal happens to be the girls 15-17 national record which is a 30.22 and my current time is 30.25 which is just .03 away from it. I look forward to training and working on the small things such as my head position, start and finish which I believe can make huge difference in my overall swim”.
Clearly she did her homework and has achieved mastery . The next examination will be at regional level at the CARIFTA Championships in The Bahamas from March 28 to April 7. She is seeded second. Ahead of her Trinidad and Tobago’s Zuri Ferguson who has committed for the University of Florida. The Gators are coached by regional icon and Olympic Gold medallist and Olympic Gold medal coach Surinamese Anthony Nesty.
Alia Atkinson
Photo courtesy of Aurelien Menuuier/Getty Images Europe
Wainwright will not only be fighting for the Black , Green and Gold to be on top of the podium but also for records. The CARIFTA Championship record was set last year by Cayman Islands star Lila Higgo. Higgo,who is based at the Bolles School set standard of 29.51. The Jamaican national record of 29.78 was set by another regional legend Alia Atkinson . That mark was set by the Olympic finalist in 2016 at the SPEEDO Champions Series in Orlando. The fastest Caribbean junior time was set by Puerto Rico’s Miriam Sheehan at the 2019 World Junior Championships . Competing in the heats she swam to regional junior best of 29.02.
Look for Wainwright to continue show why the West continues to win.
Last night on the second night of the NCAA Division II Championships being held at the SPIRE Institute Aquatics Center in Geneva, Ohio the might of the twin island Republic was felt on the University of Indianapolis 200 yard medley relay team.The CARIFTA region members of Jeron Thompson and Aqeel Joseph started and finished for the squad that won Gold in in the event in a new school and NCAA Division II record.
In 2023 it was Trinidad and Tobago standout Jeron Thompson that helped the team to the Silver in a school record of 1:25.01. That team included another of the twin islands Republic’s best, Kael Yorke on the butterfly leg. Thompson was out faster than school record pace . In 2023 he was timed at 21.46 this time he took it out in 21.32. Thompson had the Hounds in contention for the Gold with the second fastest leg. On the breaststroke leg it was American Brayden Cole who helped the Hounds gain the ascendancy with the fastest split of the field on the breaststroke timed at 23.59.At that point the Hounds were the only sub 45 second team at 44.91
Next in the water for the butterfly was Polish sophomore Oskar Sawicki he gave a split of 20.24. That pushed the team ahead further. The Hounds were then at 1:05.15. No other team was under 1:05.50.
NCAA Division II 200 yard medley relay champions
Photo courtesy of uindy_swimdive
Closing the show was Aqeel Joseph . In 2023 he was given the job to finish the hard work of his teammates in the 200 freestyle relay and he got the job done. Understanding the assignment and the history at hand The Big Man from Arima recorded his fastest ever spit of 19.31 to help the team to a new school and NCAA Division II record of 1:24.46. They beat the old 2021 standard set by Drury of 1:24.69.
Silver was won by McKendree in 1:24.96. The Bronze was earned by Findlay in 1:25.58..
The CARIFTA region was well represented in the event. Bahamian senior Lamar Taylor for Henderson State who placed fourth in a school record of 1:25.60.For Lewis University it was Haitian Olympian Davidson Vincent. The Flyers placed seventh in 1:25.92, also a school record.
This is only the second time a CARIFTA region nation has featured in a Championship winning team . The first was in 2020. That time the McKendree Bearcats were at the top of the podium with Bahamian standout Davante Carey gave the team with a backstroke leg timed at 21.45. They would not relinquish the lead and took the Gold in a time of 1:25.82. The Hounds won Silver then in a time of 1:25.80 with the Republic stars Jeron Thompson and Kael Yorke .
Cole, Joseph, Sawicki and Thompson reacting to their record breaking Gold medal swim.
Photo courtesy of uindy_swim
Jeron Thompson and Aqeel Joseph now have as their achievement as being the first CARIFTA region men to be a part of a NCAA Division 200 yard medley relay winning team in record breaking time.
Historic Trojan Gold medal winning 200 yard medley relay team
from left to right Carter,Vissering, Condorelli and Glinta
Photo courtesy of uscswim
Trinidad and Tobago now leads the CARIFTA region with four 200 yard medley relay titles. The last time the Red , White and Black lifted this title was in 2018. Then countryman Olympian Dylan Carter produced the third fastest butterfly leg of all time and the fastest that day of 19.60 to help the University of Southern California Trojans to NCAA Division I Gold in a time of 1:21.82.
The pioneer for the region was countrywoman Olympian Siobhan Cropper for Stanford University. As a freshman she was the anchor in a time of 22.01. That Stanford team set the NCAA Division I women’s mark at 1:37.80. Cropper would close her collegiate career with yet another sprint medley relay title. In 2001 she provided an anchor leg of 22.74 as they took the crown in 1:38.43 , just .01 ahead of the California team.
Yet again the Republic through the efforts of Thompson and Joseph have made the region proud.
Indian River State’s Caymanian freshman Tom Ferguson again put up medal winning performances on the final two days of the 2024 National Junior College Athletic Association swimming championships. His final medal tally for the competition saw him winning Six medals, Three Gold, Two Bronze and a Silver medal.
Tom Ferguson. Photo courtesy of CBAC
In the meet’s final race, the 400 yard freestyle relay Tom put up his hand to show that he will be a force to be reckoned with for the Pioneers and the Cayman Islands. On the third leg he produced the fastest split of all the 32 competitors. He was timed at 43.61. That helped the Pioneers to another decisive win in the event. It ensured they swept all the freestyle relays. The team of South African Joshua Parry 44.11,American Owen Mclaughlin 43.86 and anchor Italian Riccardo Pandin 44.07 took the crown in 2:55.65. Silver went to Iowa Central Community College in 3:01.08 .The Bronze was earned by Southwestern Oregon Community College in 3:02.01.
That swim is the third fastest winning time in Championships history. Only the 2008 team featuring Venezuelan World Championship representative Roberto Gomez and Olympians from Puerto Rico and South Africa Raul Martinez and Gideon Louw and the 2012 team with another Puerto Rican World Championship representative Luis Flores and South African Brad Tandy have been faster.
TOP THREE ALL TIME RELAY TEAMS AT THE NJCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Earlier in the meet he would be on the medal podium in individual events. In the 100 yard freestyle he battled his way to the Bronze . His splits were 21.17 and 22.95 for a new PB and Bronze medal of 44.12. His old personal standard was 44.56 from November of last year. Silver went to Brazilian Luis de Oliveira of Iowa Central in 43.96. The Gold went to Pandin in 43.17.
In the 500 yard freestyle he started the competition with a PB of 4:35.97. That was lowered to 4:35.69 in the heats . And again again bettered in an extremely close final with the top three all being Pioneers in clocking personal best time. Gold went to Matthew Mclean in 4:34.40, Silver to Mikael Soederberg in 4:34.54 and Ferguson the Bronze in 4:34.97.
Indian River State College celebrates 50 consecutive men’s titles. Photo courtesy of NJCAA
Tom with all personal best times at the Championships helped Jamaican Olympian head coach Sion Brinn secure 50 consecutive wins for the school. Tom has also shown the speed he has and what more will come for 2024. The Cayman Islands with names such as Jordan Crooks, James Allison and now Ferguson this season are laying the groundwork for what can be very impressive 4x 100 freestyle and 4 x200 freestyle teams.
drafting the caribbean 