THE ARUSH ACCELERATION! ROCHLANI ENDS DECADES OLD CARIFTA GOLD MEDAL DROUGHT TO EARN VICTORY FOR JAMAICA IN THE 11-12 400 METRE FREESTYLE IN A PB OF 4:37.13!

This year’s CARIFTA Championships saw Team Jamaica end a more than two decade long Gold medal drought . It was in the boys 11-12 400 metre freestyle that saw the Black , Green and Gold return to the top of the podium through the effort of Arush Rochlani. It took a special swim and time drop of more than 12 seconds for Arush to carry his nation back to the top at his very first CARIFTA Championships. He follows up on the last victory in the event back in 2002 by standout Brad Hamilton.

Brad Hamilton. Photo courtesy of Terri Hamilton

Hamilton was a talented swimmer who sets national records from the 11-12 age group to the senior level. In 2002 he took on the 400 metre freestyle at CARIFTA and faced off against another regional star of that time ,Ryan Nelthropp of the US Virgin Islands in Barbados. It would be Nelthropp who took control of the proceedings from the start and was heading for the win. Hamilton stayed close and out split the field with a final 100 metres burst to take the Gold. Both swimmers would go under the Championship record. The mark that was set a year earlier in the Bahamas by future Olympian Shaune Fraser of the Cayman Islands of 4:39.67 was bettered as the duo swam 4:38.26 and 4:38.36 respectively.

Arush with father Ravi. Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe

The script would follow a similar vein in 2024. This time Rochlani would take on this year’s Gold and Silver medallists from the 200 metre freestyle ,Christon Joseph of the Bahamas and Mihael Sobers of Barbados.

Alex Sobers

Mihael is the brother of Alex , Olympian and the fastest English speaking CARIFTA region swimmer in the race at 3:53.19 . Mihael pushed the pace in the race . He and Arush took out the first 50 in 31.46 but Sobers started to inch away with Rochlani continuing to work for a podium place. With 100 metres to go Mihael had opened up a half a second lead. It was then Arush made his move. He closed the gap to .07 of a second by the last 50. He surged off the final wall to produce his fastest 50 split and the only sub 32 seconds last lap of the field to take the Gold in 4:37.13. Sobers earned the Silver in 4:37.88 and Joseph the Bronze in 4:43.90.

CARIFTA 2024 boys 11-12 400 metre freestyle podium. Photo courtesy of Lemone Lowe

Arush came to the competition with a PB of 4:50.98 , a massive time drop. This is similar to Hamilton in 2002 whose best had stood at 4:54.92. That CARIFTA was seen as the turning point in Brad’s career and this also is a major moment for Rochlani.

Arush with his first CARIFTA Gold medal. Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe

COMPARISON OF THE LAST TWO JAMAICAN CARIFTA GOLD MEDAL WINNING TIMES IN THE 11-12 400 METRE FREESTYLE FOR BOYS

We got the opportunity to speak to Arush’s coach Lynval Lowe of Swimaz Aquatics about training the Campion College student

” I coach Arush four time in the afternoons and three times in the morning. We do approximately 6000 to 6,500 metres per sessions. We do a lot of pace sets as well as broken swims holding a particular time”.

The national record for the 11-12 age group is held by countryman Noland Barrett who set a mark of 4:30.87 in July last year. Barrett took the 13-14 CARIFTA Gold medal this year in We asked Coach Lowe what was the plan for Arush to go after the 11-12 record

Breanna Roman, Coach Lowe and Emily MacDonald

” I plan to do strength work, cardio work on the core and a small amount of weight training. I will aslo ove the workload to 7000 per session and continue to work on the broken swims which are an important part of our training.

Britney Williams celebrating with the crowd after winning the 15-17 200 metre freestyle Gold at the 2018 CARIFTA Championships Photo courtesy of Mike C Lyn

This is the same programme I gave to my other outstanding CARIFTA swimmers Breanna Roman, Britney Williams and Emily MacDonald”.

With this important milestone achieved look for Arush to move forward with confidence in not only the 400 metre but all the freestyle events for Jamaica.

MOVING ON UP! JAMAICAN EMILY MacDONALD LOWERS 100 FREE PB TO 57.57!. BECOMES THE FASTEST AND BEST PLACED JAMAICAN WOMAN AT THE WORLD CHAMPS IN THE EVENT!

Jamaican Emily MacDonald continues to prove that she is one of the best sprinters from the country with another national leading effort.

Competing at her first senior World Championships in the 100 metre freestyle the Bolles School graduate became the fastest and highest ranked Jamaican woman ever at the competition.

Emily MacDonald . Photo courtesy of Columbia swimming and diving

The Columbia junior had splits of 27.03 and 30.54 in Doha , Qatar to stop the clock in 57.57, a new personal best. Her previous best was 57.74 last year. Then competing at the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile her splits were 27.58 and 30.16 leading off Jamaica’s 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay . She has only swum the race twice this season and is expected to go even faster as the season continues.

Natasha Moodie . Photo courtesy of the University of Michigan swimming and diving

MacDonald moved the Jamaican ranking forward in the event at the global championships.The previous best time was held by Olympian Natasha Moodie at the 2009 Rome Games. Moodie , a standout athlete for the University of Michigan had splits of 27.29 and 30.42 for a time of 57.71, That ranked her 69th overall, the former best placing. Emily’s performance moves Jamaica to their highest ranking in the race as she placed 33rd overall. The Jamaican star also finished second in the CARIFTA region at the Championships . In the Caribbean and Central American and Caribbean rankings at the meet her placing was third and fourth respectively.

Janelle Atkinson. Photo courtesy of Janelle Atkinson

The swim also elevates Emily to fourth in the all time Jamaican rankings. Olympic swimming legends, the Atkinsons top the rankings . Alia (Texas A& M) has the national record at 55.35 from 2017 Florida Gold Coast Senior Championship. Janelle ( Florida), a fellow Bolles School graduate has the second spot with her personal best of 57.21 from the 2003 Pan American Games. Commonwealth Games representative Kelsie Campbell (Florida International University) is third overall with her 57.25 career best from the 2021 Bahamas National championships.

Emily in Doha

Emily who is undefeated in the Ivy League for the 50 and 100 yard freestyle will close her competition with the 50 metre freestyle.

MacDONALD ROARS TO FOUR WINS AGAINST DARMOUTH!EMILY FLEXES SPRINTING SKILLS IN DOHA WARMUP!

Jamaica’s Emily MacDonald showed fans what form she is in her last competition before her World Championship Doha debut. Competing for the Columbia Lionesses against Dartmouth on January 27 at home Emily recorded four wins.

In the first event the 200 yard medley relay Macdonald had the fastest freestyle anchor leg of 22.44 that got the first win on the board of 1:41.74. It was also a season best for the school.

In the next event the 200 yard freestyle she was ahead of the the field by the 100 yard mark .She split 53.34 more than second ahead of the field. The win was sealed by then and she took the victory in 1:50.80. The time was not far from her season best and personal best of 1:50.67 and 1:50.22 respectively.

Emily MacDonald . Photo courtesy of Columbia swimming and diving

The Bolles School graduate was equally decisive in the 100 yard freestyle . Her podium topping time was 50.28 split time 24.03. The margin of victory more than a second .It marked her fifth win in the race which saw her undefeated in the regular season.

Kendese Nangle Photo courtesy of dartmouthsports.com

The last event of the day ,the 200 yard freestyle relay promised to be exciting and it was . Dartmouth , The Big Green has a strong Jamaican connection through Kendese Nangle.The Jamaican standout has four school records in the 50 yard freestyle 22.94, 100 yard freestyle 49.87 and the 100 and 200 yard backstroke 54.78 and 1:57.68 respectively.

It would be MacDonald who has three entries on the Columbia record book in the 50 yard freestyle 22.43, 200 yard freestyle relay 1:30.91 and 400 yard freestyle relay 3:20.28 that gave the Lionesses the lead in 23.46. It was also faster than the 50 yard free time by Dartmouth’s Samantha Li of 23.59. Columbia would not relinquish the lead and the win in a close battle 1:33.22 to Dartmouth’s 1:33.42. Columbia also prevailed overall on the day 202 to 98.

The next assignment for MacDonald will be a trip to the capital of Qatar to compete for Jamaica in the 50 and 100 metre freestyle.

EMILY MAcDONALD LOOKING TO CONTINUE GOOD FORM IN DOHA WORLD CHAMPS DEBUT !

In form Jamaican sprinter Emily MacDonald will make her World Championships debut next month in Doha . The Columbia University junior will be competing in the 50 and 100 metre freestyle races at the competition that runs from February 11-18 in the capital of Qatar.

Natasha Moodie at the 2009 World Championships

In the 50 metre event she boasts a personal best of 26.22 set at home in May last year. The best performance by a Jamaican woman at the global championships is 25.95 by Olympian Natasha Moodie. That time was set at the 2009 Rome Championships. It equalled Moodie’s national mark of 25.95 that she had set a year earlier at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Emily will be looking to move up from her number three all time performer position and get under that time. MacDonald who is due a sub 26 clocking will also have in her sights the national mark of 25.47. Alia Atkinson set that mark winning Bronze at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games. Also in MacDonald’s thoughts will be the 2024 Olympic B time of 24.82.

Alia Atkinson posing with 50 metre butterfly Gold Photo courtesy of Gillian Millwood

For the 100 metre freestyle it is again University of Michigan graduate Moodie that holds the best Jamaican mark at the World Championships. Also at the Rome competition she recorded a time of 57.71. Emily recorded a personal best of 57.74 at the 2023 Pan American Games recently. The Campion College graduate is ranked sixth in the all time Jamaican ladies rankings. The aim will be to become the second Jamaican woman under the 57 seconds barrier. Texas A & M graduate Alia Atkinson has the national mark at 55.35 from the 2017 Florida Gold Coast Senior Championships. The Olympic B time stands at 53.88

Emily MacDonald smiles after lowering the school record. Photo courtesy of Columbia swimming and diving

Emily produced career best showings at the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador and Pan American Games in Chile showing her adjustment to competing at the elite level. In El Salvador she moved from placing fifth in the B final in Barranquilla , Colombia to winning the B final. In Chile made the B final placing 16th .In Lima , Peru in 2018 the Bolles School graduate had previously placed 18th. Competing in the IVY league for her school she is undefeated in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle with the additional accolade of being the school record holder in the 50 at 22.43.

Columbia University women’s swimming and diving team in Key Largo, Florida Photo courtesy of Columbia swimming and diving

After a solid block of training with the Columbia Lionesses in Key Largo MacDonald is ready to represent well. The more opportunities she has earned to represent her nation has proved she belongs at the elite level and continues to navigate international waters for better placings and times.

JAMAICAN EMILY MacDonald REMAINS UNBEATEN IN FREESTYLE SPRINTS AT ECAC WINTER CHAMPS!CONTINUES QUEST TO BRING IVY LEAGUE TITLES TO CARIFTA REGION!

Columbia University’s standout Jamaican Emily MacDonald continued her best ever start to a college season by maintaining her unbeaten sprint freestyle record at the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Winter Championships .

Emily MacDonald during the medal presentation Photo courtesy of Art Kozel

The competition which ran from Dec 1-3 in East Meadow New York saw Emily turning back all challengers in the 50 and yard freestyle. In the 50 she broke the 23 seconds barrier for the first time this season with a heats swim of 22.95. In the final she would be faster and be the only sub 23 seconds performer with a swim of 22.92.It was a Columbia Lioness sweep of the podium .Teammates Sally Ma won Silver in a season best off 23.29 and Ana Eyre the Bronze in a personal best of 23.45. The win marked the fourth consecutive victory for MacDonald.

50 SCY FREE WINNING STREAK

MacDonald is the Columbia programme record holder in the event. She set the school standard at this is year’s IVY League Champs with a Bronze medal winning effort of 22.43.The Bolles School graduate is currently ranked eighth in the conference

Women of Olympic Speed from left to right Thompson Tokyo bound, Karen Dieffenthaller Donahue 1988 Seoul, Sharntelle McLean 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing.Photo courtesy of Cherelle Thompson

Her aim will become the just the second CARIFTA region title holder in the event. The region had its sole champion in the race in 1986. That is when Trinidad and Tobago’s Karen Dieffenthaller now Donahue won Gold for Princeton. She did in Championship record time of 23.53 . A many time national record holder for Team TTO she would go on to represent her nation at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the 50 metre freestyle. Her children would also go to set national marks for the twin island Republic as well.

In the 100 yard freestyle she again lowered her season best in the preliminaries. She went out in 23.83 to top the field heading to the Championship final in a time of 50.04. In the final she recorded an emphatic win. Going out in 23.75, she recorded another SB of 49.87. The Silver went to Stony Brook’s Sylvia Walker in a PB 51.03 . The Bronze went to Ma in 51.06, a SB.

100 YARD FREESTYLE WINNING STREAK

Dawn Kane at the 2004 Athens Olympics

For the IVY league conference the CARIFTA region has two champions in this race. Dieffenthaller again is the pioneer. In 1986 she completed the sprint record double in a time of 51.37. In 2002 Jamaican Dawn Chuck now Kane won the title for Brown in 50.48.Dawn represented the Black , Green and Gold at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.

Mary Ashby .Photo courtesy of Columbia swimming and diving

Emily has on her radar as well for this season the school record in the event .The school mark set in 2019 is 49.36 held by Mary Ashby. Emily is the second fastest swimmer in school history with her fourth placed 2023 conference time of 49.47. MacDonald is currently seventh in the conference.

It was not only in her individual events that Emily was unbeaten but all her relay events. In the 800 yard freestyle relay she led off the team in 1:50 .67, not far off her PB of 1:50.22.Columbia won in 7:24.86.Columbia topped 14 team competition with 1,876 points.

In all the other relays Columbia topped the podium with Emily having the fastest freestyle anchors. In the 200 yard medley relay 1:42.94 with Emily closing in 22.94.The 200 yard freestyle relay 1:32.15 with Emily’s anchor of 23.04.

ECAC title pic .Photo courtesy of Columbia swimming and diving

In the 400 yard medley relay it was CR of 3:41.96 with MacDonald turning in a split of 50.40. The final race , the 400 yard freestyle relay saw Emily on the second leg with a split of 49.52.Columbia won in 3:23.33.

Emily MacDonald. Photo courtesy of Columbia swimming and diving

Columbia will take on Brown University on January 13 as the Emily quest for Ivy League supremacy continues.

NEW SCHOOL RECORD AND SECOND FASTEST TIME EVER IN FLORIDA HISTORY!!JAMAICAN SABRINA LYN WINS GOLD FOR BOLLES IN 200 FREE RELAY IN DEBUT AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

In her very first Championship for the Bolles school Jamaican Sabrina Lyn was a part of history setting a new school record in the 200 yard freestyle relay at the 1A State Championships. Sabrina, who will be competing at the first Pan American Games in Cali Colombia can also add the fact that her Bolles team set the second fastest time ever done in Florida High School history.

Sabrina Lyn making her debut at the Florida 1A State Championships Photo courtesy of Shenique Patton

The history making feat was accomplished at the Florida 1A State Championships held at the Sailfish Splashpark Aquatic Athletics Center in Stuart Florida. Sabrina’s cv includes being a member of the Jamaican 13-14 Gold medal winning team at the 2019 CARIFTA that set a new national and Championship record of 1:49.82 . She had not been utilized in the qualifying District and Regional Championships leading up the State finale. In the perfect example of the swimming adage “Last one Fast One” Lyn was drafted into the team for the final on November 6. The Championship final also saw two other changes with Katherine Meyers-Labenz and Manita Sathianchokwisan added. The Jacksonville based team entered the night’s race as the second fastest. When the race started Katherine kept the team with the leaders with a split of 23.85.When Megan McGrath completed her leg in 23.13 it was a three team race. At the half way point it was Pine Crest with a significant lead at 46.61. That lead came about through a fantastic leg by Julia Podkoscielny who blazed to a split of 22.68. The University of Florida Gators commit had won the 200 yard IM in the fastest time across all four State meets and was always going to be the danger woman for the Panthers. Her father Head Coach Polish Olympic Great Mariusz is no stranger to the CARIFTA region having coached a number of the stars in their juniors. That list includes names from Aruba brothers Patrick and Jordy Groters and Daniel Jacobs, from Trinidad and Tobago Racine Ross and from Jamaica siblings Matthew and Annabella Lyn as well Simone and Nicholas Vale to name a few.

Lyn took on the third leg duties and split 23.40. She ensured Bolles never lost any ground before handing off to Manita. Sathianchokwisan is the reigning Age Group South East Asian Champion in the 50 metre freestyle and has always medalled in the 50 yard freestyle at the State Championships. She had been on the previous two Gold medal winning teams and delivered a third title. The Texas A & M commit scorched the field to split 22.30 and touch in a total time of 1:32.68. Second went to Kings Academy in 1:33.77 and the bronze to Pine Crest in 1:33.93.

The team lowered the 2013 school mark of 1:32.74. It is also the fastest time ever registered at the 1A championships. The State record stands at 1:31.66 set by Buchholz school in Gainesville.

School record comparison

Sabrina’s relay win continues a relay win streak for the CARIFTA region. Not only were they CARIFTA region victories at the 1A Championships they were also the fastest time in Florida for their respective years.

Chadé Nercisio before her race Photo courtesy of Michael Lyn

Other victories were seen by Olympian and regional legends Bahamian Arianna Vanderpool -Wallace and Jamaican Janelle Atkinson. In 1997 and 2006 the winning times were also State records.

Janelle Atkinson at the 2001 CCCAN Championships Photo courtesy of swimjamaica.com

Lyn would also do well in her individual events. Having qualified in two events for the prestigious events she set new personal bests in both. Lyn threatened her 50 yard freestyle PB time of 24.09 in the heats of the event. Sabrina swam 24.29 to place tenth. She was just outside the Championship final cut off. It took 24.11 to make it to the medal race. Undeterred in the night’s B final she crushed the field to register a huge PB of 23.57. She won the B final easily and posted a time that would have placed her sixth in the Championship final.

Sabrina dominating the B final of the 100 yard butterfly. Photo courtesy of Shenique Patton

Sabrina just missed out on another Championship final in the 100 yard butterfly. She posted a time of 57.94 in the morning heats to place ninth. She was marginally outside of making her first individual final as it took 57.84 to be in the medal race. Lyn again dismissed the field in the B final to be the only swimmer under the 57 seconds mark . She clocked 56.42 (split time 26.20) to win. That time again would have placed her sixth in the Championship final. Lyn holds the national marks in the 11-12 and 13-14 age group marks for her nation at 1:05.69 and 1:03.19 .

Lyn was joined in by her CARIFTA regional countrywomen Kathryn Forde of Barbados and the Cayman Islands duo of Lila Higgo and Avery Lambert in the Bolles march to another State Championship victory.

The Bolles School’s CARIFTA ladies from left to right Lyn, Forde, Higgo and Lambert.Photo courtesy of Shenique Patton

Bolles dominated both the girls and boys competition amassing 370 and 574 points respectively

2021 Bolles 1A State Champions Photo courtesy of The Bolles School

In Colombia Sabrina will be competing in the 100 metre breaststroke, 100 metre butterfly and

JAMAICAN EMILY MacDONALD STARTS COLLEGIATE CAREER WITH 50 YARD FREESTYLE WIN FOR COLUMBIA LIONS

Jamaican Emily MacDonald got her first individual win in college in her very first race .

Emily MacDonald Photo courtesy of Columbia University

Competing for Columbia University on November 5 she won the 50 yard freestyle in 23.77. The occassion was the Lions Home opener against the University of Pennsylvannia.She finished ahead of teammate Junior Isabelle Arevalo 23.92 and Penn Junior Margot Kaczorowski 23.93. The time ranks Emily fourth in the Ivy League conference so far

There would be more podium success in the 200 yard freestyle relay. She lead the team with a split of 23.88 as they won close battle with Penn 1:34.79 to 1:34.84.

It would be a reversal of the positions in the 200 yard medley relay. Penn won in 1:44.35 to 1:44.45. MacDonald anchored the team with a leg timed at 23.35.

She was third in the 100 yard freestyle in a time of 52.45.

Colombia won the clash 158 to 142. The men’s competition featured countryman Olympian Keanan Dols and her teammate from Barbados Tristan Pragnell. Columbia won that contest as well 157 to 143.

MacDonald was back in action the next day racing against Harvard. She was again in the top three for the 50 yard freestyle. Emilyn touched in 24.02 to placed second .The win went to Harvard’s Mandy Brenner in 23.71.

Swimming for the B team in the 200 yard medley relay she clocked an anchor leg of 23.47. The team finished fourth in 1:46.63. Columbia went down 115.5 to 179.5.

Jamaica’s record breaking 400 medley relay team from left to right Trudi ann Patrick,Alia Atkinson ,Breanna Roman, Danielle Boothe

MacDonald follows countrywoman Trudi Patrick in representing Columbia in the the NCAA Division I . Patrick represented Jamaica at the 2014 Commonwealth Games as well as the 2015 Pan American Games. At the Games in 2015 she swam the butterfly leg on the record setting 400 metre medly relay team that still stands at 4:14.58. She holds the Columbia school record in the 200 yard butterfly at 1:59.91 in 2014

JILLIAN THE JET!! CROOKS POWERS HER WAY TO NEW CAYMAN SENIOR NATIONAL RECORD AND UNOFFICIAL 13-14 CARIFTA REGIONAL BEST IN THE 100 METRE FREESTYLE

Jillian Crooks of the Cayman Islands is used to being a trailblazer for her nation and her entry in the the 100 metre freestyle was yet another milestone. No Cayman Islands woman had ever raced this event at the highest level and Crooks would TAKE on that challenge.

The day was Wednesday July 28, the venue the Tokyo Aquatic Centre the challenge set before her washer own National record and personal best of 58.08. The question to be answered is how would the Olympic debutante handle the pressure. The answer would be with poise and grace.

After the first 50 metres it was a two woman race . Jenjila Srisa-Ard of Thailiand 27.20 and Mia Blazhevska Eminova of Northern Macedonia 27.24 pushed the early pace. After the turn Jillian entered the chat. Turning on the jets she outsplit the field with a last lap of 29.73. She pushed the field and early leader Mia to a time of 57.19. Crooks stopped the clock in second with a new PB, NR of 57.32. The first Cayman Islands woman under the 58 seconds barrier. JenJira placed third in a time of 57.42.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Under regional CARIFTA rules Jillian is considered to be in the 13-14 category. When that is considered we look at her times compared to the all time best of the region and existing age group records. The CARIFTA and CCCAN records are held by the Jamaican duo of Sabrina Lyn (2018) 57.89 and Emily MacDonald 57.95. The best produced from the Caribbean is by regional and international Olympic finalist Jamaica’s Janelle Atkinson of 57.54 way back in 1997.Jillian has also hit the automatic qualifying mark for the PAN AMERICAN Junior Games to be held later this year. The A standard she bettered is 57.41.

When she spoke about the race she said it was unreal and that she thought about her dad in the final few metres of the race as he was the one that taught her how to swim.

Jillian also gave her overall impression of her swim

“I am proud of how I swam my race. I focused on distance per stroke, strong catch and good under waters. I spent a couple of weeks before this race with Coach Bailey (Weathers )working on those areas”

Jillian Crooks.Photo courtesy of deepblueimages.shoot proof.com

Jillian’s swim represents only the third performance by a lady from the Cayman Islands. Crooks represents a cadre of extremely talented female swimmers .Their talent speaks to what the 345 can achieve in less than four years in Paris 2024. Talent identification, nurturing, exposure to tough competition consistently and in Europe we can speak about the team of ladies from Cayman. As the Canadian women have shown, have the development plan for the swimmers and let them soar at the pinnacle of aquatic competition.

KELSIE CAMPBELL AND KEANAN DOLS LEAD THE SENIOR JAMAICAN CHARGE IN THE BAHAMAS AND CALIFORNIA

While the Jamaican age group swimmers were in action at the CCCAN Championships in Puerto Rico , senior squad members Kelsie Campbell and Keanan Dols were in action in the Bahamas and California respectively.

Senior national Team members Kelsie Campbell and Keanan Dols.
Photo courtesy of FIU swimming and Tom Peribonio

Campbell , who represents Florida International University has been having one of the best seasons of her career. She headed to the Bahamas Nationals from June 24 to June 27 to record more markers before her season taper meet.In the 100 metre butterfly she dipped under the 1:03 second barrier twice .She recorded swims of 1:02.66 in the heats and the final 1:02.52 (split time 29.26). That was the fastest time by of the ladies at the of the Championships.

The 100 metre freestyle series saw the talented Campbell make it three personal bests in her last three swims . At the Michael Lohberg Invitational she clocked 57.80. In Nassau she put up numbers of 57.37 and then 57.25. That final swim accounted for the fastest time for the women.

100 metre freestyle	Bahamas Final	Bahamas Heats	Coral Springs Final
First 50	27.12	27.77	27.64
Second 50	30.13	29.60	30.16
Total Time	57.25	57.37	57.80

Kelsie Campbell .Photo courtesy of FIU Swimming

That time now ranks Kelsie as the second fastest active Jamaican woman swimmer in the event. When the top four ladies personal best times are combined it would destroy the current national record of 3:53.58. That national record set at the 2003 PAN AM Games is now on notice and should be lowered at the next Major Games or sooner. All the ladies listed below Atkinson, Campbell , Lyn and MacDonald are fantastic relay swimmers and would give you even better splits when on a team together.

Alia Atkinson.Photo courtesy of SPEEDO

Alia Atkinson	55.35 NR
Kelsie Campbell	57.25
Sabrina Lyn	57.89
Emily MacDonald	57.95
Total time	3:48.44

In the 50 metre freestyle she put down a time of of 26.61 to be the third fastest woman at the meet . The top spots were earned by Cherelle Thompson , national record of Trinidad and Tobago 26.07 and Venezuela’s top active sprinter Jeserick Pinto 26.14.

Campbell had also contested the heats of the 50 metre butterfly recording her best time in four years of 28.74. she gave DraftingtheCaribbean an analysis of her Bahamas Nationals performance.

“I am absolutely delighted with my performances from Bahamian Nationals. I faced some adversity throughout the week, being the only athlete from my team and without a coach. But I didn’t let that get in the way of my goals and the process for the meet. I was really surprised with my 100 free. I didn’t expect to go that fast in prelims. I just stuck with the process that me and coach discussed, and it turns out I am way closer to my goals than I thought. I was also really happy with my 50 free. Although I didn’t go a best time, I was proud because I took the corrections and advice of my coach from the prelims and I executed in the final to drop time. I think that’s all you can ask for as an athlete. To continue learning and growing, and getting better. I am in a taper phase now and plan to peak next weekend at Florida sectionals in Gainesville. I am really excited to see what I can do rested. I think I’m going to make some serious waves!”

Keanan prepares to race in Mission Viejo. Photo courtesy of Tom Peribonio

Olympic bound Keanan Dols had his last meet before heading to the Asian continent at the 2021 Dolfin Fran Crippen Pro Swim Meet of Champions in Mission Viejo California. He contested the 200 metre butterfly, 200 metre individual medley and the 400 metre individual medley. In the 200 metre butterfly the Gator Swim club athlete placed fourth in a time of 2:03.72 (split time 58.96). The race was won by Mexican Hector Ruvalcaba Cruz in a new national record of 1:56.48. In the 200 metre individual medley he was second in the B final with a time of 2:06.40 (split time 59.20). the race was won by Kyle Brill in a time of 2:06.25. In the longer medley he swam to a time of 4:38.38 in the preliminaries.

Keanan powering his way through the 200 butterfly. Photo courtesy of Tom Peribonio

He spoke to draftingtheCaribbean after the meet about his stage of preparation for the Olympics

“I was very happy with the performance from the Mission Viejo Swim Meet of Champions. My 200 IM and 200 Butterfly were the fastest I’ve ever been not shaved or rested. It shows me that I’m in a great spot leading up to the games this summer. The meet was my final racing opportunity of the summer and it was a great confidence boost to see some good results”.

The teammates from the 2016 World Short Course Championships in Windsor Canada will be important factors in Jamaican mixed relays in the years to come for the next Olympic cycle. The potency of the team has been increased with the emergence of breaststroking talent Kito Campbell that now forces the selectors hand to have more relays at major Championships.

TEAM JAMAICA-KITO CAMPBELL CARRIES JAMAICAN SWIMMING TO NEW HIEGHTS AT CCCAN.WINS NATION’S FIRST GOLD MEDAL IN THE 15-17 50 BREASTSTROKE IN A NEW PB, AGE GROUP AND SENIOR NATIONAL RECORD OF 28.55!!!!!!!

If the saying “saving the best for last” was ever applicable to a regional swimming competition it would be for the last day of swimming at the San Juan Natatorium at the CCCAN Championships. For over a decade Jamaica had not been able to find any swimmer that would be able to get under 30 seconds in the 50 metre breaststroke. Olympic Icon Alia Atkinson had been carrying the mantle for the sprint breaststroke events for both men and women. Also the nation also did not have a male breaststroker to begin to construct a formidable medley relay team. Who would put up his hand and answer the country’s call for breaststroke. On Sunday June 27 that question was answered and his name is Kito Campbell.

Prior to this competition Campbell’s best showing at a regional Championships had been a Bronze in the 13-14 age group at CARIFTA 2018 in front of a home crowd with a time of 32.34.That was a different time and Kito is a different athlete. He would have had been brimming with confidence with a pole vault Championships title at the Boys and Girls Champs for Calabar as well as a new personal best in the 50 metre breaststroke of 30.23.But no one could have expected the different stratosphere he would advance Jamaican swimming.

The national record in the 15-17 age group was held by Brad Hamilton with a mark of 29.91 .Hamilton set a then Championship record at CARIFTA 2007 in front of a home crowd. Brad also held the senior national record of 29.38 at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games ironically set in Puerto Rico. He had recorded that time during the heats to qualify for the Championship final. The Championship record stood at 29.24 by the Dominican Republic’s Andres Martijen in 2019.

Kito before his date with Jamaican swimming history. Photo courtesy of Janecia Welds-Wainwright

What could not happen in over a decade happened in the morning heats on June 27. Gone was Kito’s personal best, the CCCAN Championship record, the Jamaican 15-17 record and the senior national record in one fell swoop as Campbell blazed to 29.06. That earned him the top seed . It would be realistically a two man battle for the Gold as Haitian star and senior national record holder Alexandre Grand’Pierre posted the only sub 30 seconds clocking of 29.26.

Kito before the race. Photo courtesy of Janecia Welds-Wainwright

Kito’s stance both literally and figuratively spoke of his confidence and determination to win Gold. He and Grand’Pierre had the best breakout of the field and separated themselves quickly from the field . Kito had a slight advantage at the 25 metre mark and then pulled away for a famous victory in 28.55. Alexandre won the Silver equalling his national record of 29.09. Bronze went to Diego Resto of Puerto Rico in 30.63.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GOLD MEDAL WINNING TIME

No other Jamaican has been that fast . No Jamaican has ever won the Gold in the event in the 15-17 for the boys. The previous standard bearer Hamilton won the Bronze in 2005 and two years later the Silver in 30.59.The time puts Campbell beyond just competing at the regional meets but on the global stage as the B standard for the 2021 World Short Course Championships to be held in Dubai in December and the 2022 World Aquatic Championships slated for Fukuoka Japan in May is 28.29. No one will be betting against the impressive Campbell from clearing that hurdle.

Janelle Atkinson at the 2001 CCCAN Championships Photo courtesy of swimjamaica.com

Name	Age Group	Event	Time	Date
Zaneta Alvaranga	11-12	50 metre butterfly	28.74	2017
Janelle Atkinson	18 and over	400 metre freestyle	4:13.11	2001
Janelle Atkinson	18 and over	200 metre freestyle	2:02.57	2001
Janelle Atkinson	18 and over	800 metre freestyle	8:39.16	2001
Timothy Wynter	13-14	50 metre butterfly	26.96	2011
Timothy Wynter	13-14	200 metre backstroke	2:09.55	2011
Emily MacDonald	13-14	100 metre freestyle	57.95	2018
Emily MacDonald	13-14	50 metre freestyle	26.48	2018
Alia Atkinson	15-17	50 metre breaststroke	33.12	2005

He can now be mentioned amongst the fastest from the CARIFTA region to swim the event

TOP 50 METRE BREASTSTROKER FROM THE CARIFTA REGION

George Bovell III , the fastest swimmer from the region in the 50 metre breaststroke. Photo courtesy of theunbreakablebody.com

Name	Country	Time
George Bovell III	Trinidad and Tobago	27.57
Izaak Bastian	The Bahamas	27.60
Dustin Tynes	The Bahamas	28.18
Rodion Davelaar	Netherland Antilles	28.21
Abraham McLeod	Trinidad and Tobago	28.24
Jordy Groters	Aruba	28.40
Andrei Cross	Barbados	28.48
Kito Campbell	Jamaica	28.55
Mikel Schreuders	Aruba	28.60
Napoleon Howell	Trinidad and Tobago	28.73

Campbell gave his analysis of the 50 metre breaststroke on Sunday

“The 50 breast was hype because the Haitian swimmer Alex was very really close to me in the prelims. I was kind of nervous because all through the meet he swam faster in the finals of every race than the morning heats. So I was like he is going to come back faster so for me to win this I have to push it to a 28.I was kind of skeptical about the 28 in the morning but I came through. I feel normal maybe it has not set in as yet. It just feels like another step and there is a lot more for me to do. Coming to the this meet showed that I have a lot of work to . I am satisfied with the swims this weekend. They were nice and it was fun competition”.

The rising star could now be the key to Jamaica returning to fielding a medley relay team at the Central American and Caribbean Games. His trajectory also allows Jamaica to start preparation for the Commonwealth Games and Pam American Games for that event. As always this young talent needs to be supported fully especially with this upcoming Olympic cycle to allow him to soar and reach his maximum potential.