STEFANO SIZZLES!MITCHELL UNDERLINES STATUS AS THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN’S FASTEST MAN WITH A HISTORIC 50 FREE PERFORMANCE OF 22.99!

On June 29, 2023 Antigua and Barbuda Olympian Stefano Mitchell earned himself the title of the EC’s (Eastern Caribbean) fastest swimmer. He did this in record breaking form. He won the B final of the 50 metre freestyle at last year’s Central American and Caribbean in 23.06 .That gave the EC their highest placing at the multisports competition held in El Salvador.

Stefano Michell. Photo courtesy of Azura Florida Aquatics

Falling by the wayside was the his national record of 23.12. Also beaten was the old EC standard of 23.08 held by Saint Lucian Olympian Jordan Augier. With the title secured all eyes were on Stefano to see if he would be the swimmer to carry the EC under 23 seconds.

At the 2024 CARIFTA Championships he again proved why is the man to count on for speed in the EC.

In the heats of the event at the Betty Kelly Kenning Aquatic Centre Mitchell produced a season best time of 23.31. That was his fifth fastest performance . It was also his 27th sub 24 seconds performance. The final would see Mitchell usher in a new era of speed for the EC region. He pushed the limit to record a time of 22.99! A massive breakthrough. Silver went to Bahamian record holder Lamar Taylor in 22.32. The Gold was won by the CARIFTA region’s second fastest swimmer of all time Trinidad and Tobago’s Olympian Dylan Carter in 21.98.

He gave this reaction to his monumental swim

“It is an amazing feeling and a true honor to be the first male swimmer in the EC to do so. It’s been something I have been working hard towards since going under 24 seconds in 2017.”

Stefano and Coach Wayne Mitchell .Photo courtesy of the Antigua and Barbuda swimming federation

Stefano trains with his father Wayne Mitchell at the Viper swim club at home .Coach Mitchell gave us an insight to his training and preparation for CARIFTA 2024

“Stefano does six sessions per week for an hour. Stefano started training with me last year November after establishing his goals where he was training. He was quite confident going into CARIFTA as he was feeling adaptations and good strength. He also came off season best swims in Doha, so he knew he was getting faster again”.

The standard bearer has set a high standard in the event and will be looking get even faster and move the EC up the all time CARIFTA 50 freestyle rankings as the season continues.

DOUBLE GOLDEN DASH FOR DYLAN!RECORDS 21.98 FOR 50 FREE!SETS BAHAMAS 50 METRE BUTTERFLY OPEN RECORD OF 23.42!

When it was announced that Trinidad and Tobago Olympian Dylan Carter would be in the line up for CARIFTA 2024 in the exhibition 18 and over category fast times were anticipated. The Dexter Browne conditioned athlete would not disappoint.

Dylan Carter. Photo courtesy of Dinnora Gil Anthony

Competing in the 50 metre butterfly the fastest man of all time from the Central American and Caribbean region set new Bahamas open record. He swam to a time of 23.50. Carter became the first man ever to record a sub 24 second clocking in the event .

Justin Plaschka Photo courtesy of Michael Lyn

The old record from 2016 of 24.21 belonged to Jamaican Justin Plaschka in a winning effort in the 18 and over category at the now defunct Caribbean Islands Swimming Championships. He would lower that time to take Gold in a 23.42 performance. Silver went to Lamar Taylor of The Bahamas in 24.47 and bronze to countryman Christian Awah in 24.83.

That added to his list of Bahamas open records

The last time Carter won Gold in this event was in 2009.Then he set the still existing 11-12 record of 28.05 .

In the 50 metre freestyle Dylan’s last Gold medal was in The Bahamas in 2012.Then he he took the 15-17 event in 23.65. Fast forward to 2024 he took it out in the heats in 22.34. In the final he won in 21.958.Silver went to Taylor in 22.32 and the Bronze to Stefano Mitchell of Antigua and Barbuda in a new Eastern Caribbean record of 22.99.

Dylan Carter Photo courtesy of Dylan Carter

Carter’s performance makes it only the second time a swimmer has broken the 22 seconds barrier in The Bahamas. The open record of 21.93 is held by Olympian Alberto Mestre of Venezuela.It was set at the 2021 Bahamas National Championships. Carter’s win marks his eighth time under the 22 seconds standard.

Dylan continues to get into the form that he needs to push for Gold at the Paris Olympics this summer.

JORDAN CROOKS SETS YET ANOTHER REGIONAL AND SCHOOL BEST !BECOMES THE FASTEST EVER CARIFTA REGION SWIMMER IN THE 200 YARD FREESTYLE WITH A SWIM OF 1:30.41!

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

JERON THOMPSON AND AQEEL JOSEPH BRING GLORY TO INDY, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO AND THE CARIFTA REGION!THE REPUBLIC DUO HELP THE HOUNDS TO THE DIVISION II TITLE IN THE 200 YARD MEDLEY RELAY IN A NEW SCHOOL AND NCAA RECORD TIME OF 1:24.46!

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.

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CARTER WINS RELAY GOLD IN THE 200 YARD MEDLEY RELAY , RECORDS THIRD FASTEST BUTTERFLY SPLIT EVER, MAKES ANOTHER 200 YARD FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Siobhan Cropper l
Photo courtesy of GettyImages

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.

BUTTERFLY LEGEND!DYLAN CARTER MAKING HISTORY AGAIN WITH ANOTHER 50 METRE BUTTERFLY FINAL IN DOHA!

The reigning sprint monarchs from Trinidad and Tobago Dylan Carter and Cherelle Thompson are in Doha and carrying the standards for the the twin island Republic.

Dylan Carter and Cherelle Thompson Photo courtesy of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee

Carter again after the first day of competition in the Qatar capital is the leading the charge for the CARIFTA, Caribbean and CCCAN regions.He will be the first swimmer to contest a final. He will be competing the final of the 50 metre butterfly today .In the heats he posted a time of 23.16 to place second in heat five and finish fourth overall to advance to the semi finals. In the semi finals he was second in heat one and overall with a time of 23.15. The leader is American Michael Andrew with a time of 22.94, the fastest time posted so far at the World Championships.

Carter’s best finish is fourth at the 2022 edition of the global meet when he recorded the national record , CARIFTA , Caribbean and CCCAN regions best of 22.85 . Third place went to Andrew in 22.79. Carter has a fantastic record at the World Championships always finishing in the top 20 every time he has contested the race.

CARTER’S WORLD CHAMPS 50 FLY RECORD

Dylan Carter Photo courtesy of guardian.co.tt

This August 21 will make it ten years Carter became the first and only CARIFTA region medallist in the 50 metre butterfly at the Youth Olympics in Nanjing ,China . He took the Silver in 23.81.

His treasure chest of medals in the event stands as follows.

For long course competition

In the 25 metre pool

Dylan Carter .Photo courtesy of kevin.gs

Carter will obviously be aiming for Gold but any medal will cement his status as the greatest ever from the region in the event.

MORE MAGIC FROM MARVELOUS MARVIN !BAHAMIAN JOHNSON JR CONTINUES TO AMAZE WITH TENNESSEE HIGH SCHOOL 50 YARD FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS RECORD OF 19.56!

CARIFTA region star Bahamian junior standout Marvelous Marvin Johnson Jr will be coming in hot to the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Qatar. He showed his speed with a blistering swim in the 50 yard freestyle at the Centennial Sportsplex yesterday at the 2024 Tennessee High School Championships for McCallie.

Last year he set the standard with a time of 19.87. This year he came to the meet with a PB of 19.73. So the record was always on notice. He lived up to expectations in the final last night. He rocketed past the old record to record yet another Championships record of 19.56.

Dylan Carter Photo courtesy of usctrojans.com

Marvin is within touching distance of the fastest CARIFTA junior time ever of 19.51. That was recorded by Olympian Dylan Carter at the 2014 PAC 12 Championships when he placed sixth in the Conference final.

Marvin has moved up from 90th all time in the 17-18 age category to 44th in the event.

Johnson is now the second fastest Bahamian of all time moving just ahead of Allan Murray.

BEST OF THE BAHAMAS

The University of Florida bound athlete continues to live up to his tremendous potential. In 2023 he had historic performances at last year’s Championships, CARIFTA and Commonwealth Games

Marvin Johnson .Photo courtesy of McCallie swimming and diving

Look for him to push himself and the region to even greater heights in his senior World Championships debut in Doha in the 100 metre freestyle and 100 metre butterfly.

SO YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST CARIFTA JUNIOR SWIMMER OF ALL TIME BOYS LCM EDITION 50,100 AND 200 METRE FREESTYLE!

In this edition of So you want to be the Best CARIFTA Junior Swimmer of All Time we will focus on the long course metres edition for the boys. The events are 50 , 100 and 200 freestyle. Again the top performers come from the territories of Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

Kenzo Simons .Photo courtesy of smallstream media

50 LCM FREESTYLE 22.10 KENZO SIMONS SURINAME/NETHERLANDS

The top junior speedster in both the 25 and 50 metre pools is Kenzo Simons formerly Suriname now representing Netherlands. Before he set the World Junior Record in the 25 metre pool of 20.98 in December he was competing with Europe’s best at their Junior Championships in Kazan, Russia on July 7. He came through the heats with a time of 22.34. In the semi finals he dropped that to 22.31. In the final he powered his way to the Silver in 22.10.It took a new European Junior Championship Record of 21.83 to deny him the Gold. In 2019 he had the both Dutch Junior Records for the 50 freestyle. Kenzo demonstrated that we have speed in the region that is world class and it will take a special performance to better his mark.

Video of the CARIFTA region’s fastest junior swim

100 LCM FREESTYLE 49.50 2014 DYLAN CARTER TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Dylan Carter came to the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games competition with an impressive junior record in the 100 metre freestyle. He became the fastest swimmer at the 2013 CARIFTA Championships with a 15-17 CR of 50.67. Then later in the year at the 2013 World Junior Championships in Dubai he produced a sub 50 seconds swim of 49.93. The splits were 24.10 and 25.83, the best had region had seen by a junior. There would be more to be seen in Glasgow .All three of Carter’s performances were under the 50 seconds mark. In the heats he would swim a PB 49.72. It would be the semis that saw him producing a standard that would last almost a decade. He split 23.98 and 25.52 to touch in the age group regional best of 49.50. That would propel him to the final. There he placed fifth , just off his best in 49.56. The split time was 23.81. Carter’s mark has been under threat of late but it goes to show the quality of the swim to last such a long time.

200 LCM FREESTYLE 1:49.39 2013 DYLAN CARTER TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

It would be Carter that features in the number one slot in the 200 freestyle. His CV in the race again was outstanding . In the yards version of this race Dylan competing for Davie Nadadores

It would be Carter that features in the number one slot in the 200 freestyle. His CV in the race again was outstanding . In the yards version of this race Dylan competing for Davie Nadadores at the 2012 SPEEDO Winter Junior Nationals he set the CR and US records in the 15-16 age group with a swim of 1:35.29.

Video of 2012 200 yards record setting swim

He was more than two seconds ahead of the competition . A few months later he had another decisive victory in the 15-17 age group with a CR and fastest time seen at the 2013 CARIFTA Championships with a swim of 1:50 .35. The margin of victory was over 8 seconds.

It would be at the 2013 World Junior Championships he would again prove himself to be the best of all time . He swam the race only one but that it was all it took to be the best junior in the event for over a decade. The splits read 25.83,28.06,27.87 and 27.63 for a total time of 1:49.39. It placed him fifth in the heats but he would not contest the final. This as he had also made the 100 LCM backstroke final . That performance also features as the best ever by a CARIFTA region junior.

With the high standards known the region’s youth can be inspired and know that those performances are possible.

DYLAN CARTER CREATES HISTORY BY BECOMING THE FIRST SWIMMER TO RECORD MULTIPLE SUB 22 SECONDS SWIMS THE 50 LCM FREESTYLE IN A CARIFTA TERRITORY WITH TIMES OF 21.99, 21.84 AND 21.69!

At the year ending ASATT (Aquatics Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago Invitational) at the National Aquatics Centre fans were treated to historic swims by Dylan Carter. The Dexter Browne conditioned athlete would treat the spectators to outstanding world class speed in the 50 LCM freestyle.

Dyan Carter and members of Team VISA for Paris 2024.Photo courtesy of VISA

The swimming star is also standing out as a member of Team Visa. The only swimmer selected from the Central American and Caribbean region he was selected by the financial group for selected based on his athletic achievements, community involvement, and alignment with Visa’s core values of equality, access, and inclusion.

Coach Dexter Browne and Dylan Carter. Photo courtesy of Dexter Browne

In his opening salvo in the 50 LCM freestyle last year he did a time trial in the event . There the Flying Fish Swim club swimmer blazed his way into the top ten in the world . He rocketed to the ninth fastest time in the world with a time of 21.69!The first time sub 22 had been swum in CARIFTA region territory . Adding to the luster was that it was done a CARIFTA region swimmer, Carter who is trained at home by another son of the soil Dexter Browne.

There would be more elite level speed in the race proper. There, the leading sprinter from the CARIFTA region Carter recorded yet another sub 22 seconds clocking of 21.99. More history as the only swimmer to produced that feat twice in a CARIFTA region territory.

As the saying goes steel sharpens steel. The presence and speed of Dylan helped to propel other top performances. Aqeel Joseph of the Sea Hawks took the Silver in new PB of 23.11 . That lowered his 2022 PB of 23.37 from last year’s competition.

The Eastern Caribbean’s fastest swimmer Stefano Mitchell of Antigua and Barbuda recorded a season best of 23.40 for the Bronze. That was the fourth fastest career performance by the Vipers swim club athlete.

In the last race of the meet the University of Southern California graduate was the lead swimmer in the 4 x50 metre freestyle relay. The first leg saw the hat trick of sub 22 seconds completed. Dylan sped to a time of 21.84. His teammates Christian Awah 23.65,Jaden Chin Hong 27.39 and Josiah Ramdeen 25.24 put up the second fastest total time of 1:38.12. The Marlins were fastest on the day in 1:37.21.

What is the impact of those performances?

For the first time in career Dylan has posted multiple sub 22 swims in a competition.

Jordan Crooks
Photo courtesy of Tennessee Swimming and Diving

He is tied with Cayman Islands Jordan Crooks to have three swims in a competition. Crooks completed his trifecta at this year’s World Championship. The record for sub 22 seconds swims in a meet is held by George Bovell III with his four at the 2009 World Champs.

MOST SUB 22 SECONDS PERFORMANCES BY A CARIFTA SWIMMER IN A COMPETITION

Kenzo Simons .Photo courtesy of Kenzo Simons

Carter is tied with Kenzo Simons of Suriname now representing the Netherlands for the most sub 22 seconds swims for the year 2023 with five. That is also a record for the CARIFTA region

Dylan’s swim has returned the CARIFTA and CCCAN to their highest 50 freestyle ranking since 2013 when Bovell was ranked fourth. The twin island Republic has dominated the top sprint position in the regions due to the efforts of Bovell and Carter.

George Bovell III Photo courtesy of theunbreakablebody.com

CARIFTA AND CCCAN RANKINGS FOR THE 50 LCM FREESTYLE IN THE AMERCIAN

It was Dylan that first broke the sub 21 seconds drought at the 2022 World Championships with his swim of 21.91 in a swim off.

Dylan Carter at the start before his historic 21.69 time trial. Photo courtesy of Dinnora Gil Anthony

He will be looking for another breakthrough at this year’s Olympic Games as he goes for a Powerful Paris Performance to get the Gold medal.

ZAREK WILSON RECORDS NEW 100 LCM FREESTYLE PB AND MR OF 50.70 AT JAMAICA CHRISTMAS OPEN! MOVES TO TENTH PLACE IN CCCAN REGION FOR THE YEAR!

The University of Alabama’s Zarek Wilson continues to find Jamaica’s year ending Christmas Open a great meet for setting new PB’s . Wilson was already the meet record holder in the 100 LCM freestyle from the 2022 edition of the competition. In the heats last year he swam 51.28 . The Championship final saw him taking the Silver in 52.09. The Gold earned by the Cayman Islands Seven Mile Swimmer James Allison in 51.68.

Zarek Wilson. Photo courtesy of Harold Wilson

Wilson came to this year’s competition with a PB of 51.00. He also qualified for the NCAA Division I championships with a school record in the 4 x100 yard freestyle of 2:47.95 .At this year’s Central American and Caribbean Games he earned his first senior national medal with a national record of 3:22.33 , that earned Team TTO a Bronze. The Alabama freshman showed his increased speed from the heats . The time in the morning read 50.85. There would be more on offer in the final. The margin of victory was almost three seconds as Zarek took the win in a new PB and meet record of 50 .70.

LAST THREE 100 LCM SWIMS

The time by Wilson is the third fastest time ever recorded in Jamaica . All three performances are held by swimmers from the twin island republic.

George Bovell III

George Bovell III with his then 18 and over Championship record of 50.46. That was set at the now defunct Caribbean Islands Championships in 2004 . The margin of victory was just over two seconds.

Dylan Carter at the 2013 CARIFTA swimming championships Photo courtesy of Michael C Lyn

In 2013 Dylan Carter took the CARIFTA 15-17 title in 50.67, a then Championship record.

2023 Commonwealth Youth Games 50 LCM freestyle podium

Wilson ,who is conditioned by Alabama head coach Margo Geer and coach Michael White ends the year as the tenth fastest swimmer from the CARIFTA and CCCAN regions. In the junior ranks he is third overall. The top three all are from the CARIFTA region and the exact podium placings from the 2023 CYG (Commonwealth Youth Games) 50 LCM freestyle. Countryman Blackman is number one with his 49.54 from the 2023 World Junior Champs in Israel. Bahamian Marvin Johnson Jr is second with his 50.41 from the CYG.

TEAM TTO TOP FIVE IN THE 100 LCM FREESTYLE FOR 2023

The commanding performance by Zarek again puts into sharp focus the ability of Team TTO to produce the first 4 x 100 LCM freestyle relay team that can swim under 3:20. With five swimmers under the 52 seconds the twin island Republic has the deepest CARIFTA region squad in the event. There will be even faster times in 2024, an Olympic year.

TEAM TTO’S ALL TIME TOP FIVE IN THE 100 LCM FREESTYLE

With this great form shown in just a semester at the University of Alabama look for coaches Margo Geer and Michael White to propel Wilson to become the fourth swimmer from his country to break the 50 seconds barrier.

ZAREK WILSON RECORDS NEW PB, JAMAICA OPEN RECORD OF 24.07 IN THE 50 LCM BUTTERFLY!BECOMES THE SECOND FASTEST CARIFTA AND CCCAN JUNIOR PERFORMER OF ALL TIME!

Zarek Wilson of Trinidad and Tobago and the University of Alabama was the top performer in the 50 metre butterfly at the on going Christmas Open in Jamaica . It was another fantastic performance in Kingston .

Wilson, a freshman who has already qualified for the 2024 NCAA Championships in the 4 x100 yard freestyle came to the meet with an impressive CV. In 2022 Wilson became the fastest swimmer ever to compete in the event in the island when he set the meet record of 24.73. That had lowered the 25.06 set by his countryman Joshua Romany . That was the the 15-17 CR Romany recorded at the 2013 CARIFTA Champs . At his last CARIFTA held in Curaçao this year he erased Romany’s record to become the first swimmer at the Championships with a sub 25 clocking. The CR now reads 24.95. He was also a B finalist at the Central American and Caribbean Games Zarek also competed in the Championship final at the Commonwealth Youth Games .

Zarek Wilson.Photo courtesy Alabama swimming and diving

With those performances all eyes were on him from the heats. In the morning he would not disappoint with a new PB, meet record and Jamaica open mark of 24.66. There would be a lot more speed in the final. In the night Zarek was well ahead of the field from under water work from the start.With the field well beaten before the 25 metre mark the question was what time would he post. when he touched the clock read 24.07.

What is the impact of that swim?

It is a new PB, meet record and Jamaica open mark. 

Emil Perez .Photo courtesy of Emil Perez

It is faster than his own 15-17 CARIFTA record of 24.95 and the 202215-17 CCCAN record of 24.87 by Venezuelan Emil Perez. It is also faster than the best CCCAN time , the 18 and over record by Joshua Romany of 24.40 in 2017.

The swim would have earned him the Bronze medal at this year’s CAC (Central American and Caribbean)Games. Andres Dupont of Mexico won that medal in 24.19.

It would have won the Gold and set the GR at the Commonwealth Youth Games .The winner this year was Scotland’s Dean Fearn in 24.43 . the Silver medallist Nic Finch of England had set the GR at 24.32 in the heats.

Dylan Carter Photo courtesy of guardian.co.tt

Wilson is now the second fastest junior performer of all time in the CARIFTA and CCCAN regions. The swim is the best junior time in almost a decade. The only person faster is his countryman Olympian Dylan Carter. In 2013 at the World Junior Championships Carter swam a heats time of 24.04, semi finals 24.16 and Silver medal winning final of 23.98. At the 2014 Youth Olympics in China Carter swam a series of heats 24.01,24.04 and a Silver medal winning performance of 23.81. That Silver medal time is the CARIFTA and CCCAN junior best.

The 24.07 would have placed the Alabama freshman in seventh place at this year’s World Junior Champs in Israel.

Zarek is the now the fourth fastest swimmer in the CCCAN region this year.

Team TTO celebrates Gold and Bronze at the 2018 CAC Games in the 50 metre butterfly Trinidad and Tobago’s Chef de mission Lovie Santana and Secretary General Ms. Annette Knott capture a moment with Romany and Carter Photo courtesy of Team TTO

On the twin island Republic all time rankings only Carter also the all time regional leader at 22.85 from his fourth place finish at the 2022 World Champs in Hungary and Romany with his 2018 CAC Bronze medal winning time of 23.73.

Zarek Wilson.Photo courtesy of Alabama swimming and diving

The fans at the National Aquatic Centre have been treated to yet another historic performance by Wilson. Zarek continues to find that Jamaica is a happy hunting ground and to make his country and the region proud and serve as a motivation to the youngsters watching him in Jamaica.