At the 2024 CARIFTA Championships in the Bahamas last month Christanya Shirley again proved that at regional championships when Jamaica needs speed you look to her.
Christanya Shirley with her 50 metre freestyle Bronze medal.
Photo courtesy of the Aquatics Sports Association of Jamaica
The Immaculate Conception star was again firing on all cylinders in her signature event, the 50 metre freestyle on the final day of pool swimming. In the 15-17 age group heats she lowered her season best of 26.80 set at this year’s Walter Rogers Age Group Championships in February. That put her as the second seed for the medal race.
In the final she as she did on the last previous three editions of the CARIFTA Championships she stroked her way to another medal.Shirley has improved her time every time she has hit the water for Jamaica at the competition.
SHIRLEY’S CARIFTA SPRINT PROGRESSION
Christanya dropped a tenth of a second to record a new PB of 26.56 and earn the Bronze. The performance makes her the second fastest Jamaican girl ever at the regional showpiece.
Zaneta Alvaranga, Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
Another Immaculate Conception star Zaneta Alvaranga is the only girl that has been faster at the meet . In 2022 she won the 15-17 Silver . Shirley is now the sixth fastest performer in Jamaican history.
ALL TIME TOP TEN JAMAICAN SPRINTERS
Natasha Moodie . Photo courtesy of the University of Michigan swimming and diving
Christanya can now aim for lowering the longstanding 15-17 age group record of 25.95 set by Natasha Moodie at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Silver was won by hometown star and Texas Christian University freshman Rhanishka Gibbs in 26.22. Gold was won by Cayman Islands Olympian and the region’s fastest junior of all time Jillian Crooks in 26.20.
There would be more fireworks from Shirley in the 4 x 50 metre freestyle relay . With Team Jamaica in fourth position she provided a game changing leg as she produced a blazing leg of 26.08. No other anchor was that swift . She caught almost all the teams in front of her . The Cayman Islands would withstand her speed to take the Gold in a Championship record and the fastest regional junior time ever of 1:47.93. Team Jamaica would earn the Silver in a new age group record and third fastest junior performance of all time of 1:48.20. The new record holders are Carolyn Levy Powell, Leah Chin, Leanna Wainwright and Shirley.
CARIFTA 2024 15-17 4 x50 metre freestyle Silver medallists and new NAGR at 1:48.20
from left to right Carolyn Levy Powell, Christanya Shirley, Leah Chin and Leanna Wainwright.
Photo courtesy of the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica
The old national record was 1:48.42 set by the 2018 CARIFTA team
CARIFTA 2018 15-17 4 x50 metre freestyle relay Gold medallists ina NAGR of 1:48.42
from left to right
Eaton ,Johnson, Banks and Anderson
Photo courtesy of Mike C Lyn
Team Antigua and Barbuda won the Bronze in 1:49.36.
Christanya Shirley
With CARIFTA marking the beginning of the Championship season Shirley has put the nation on national age group record watch for the 50 metre freestyle.
This year’s CARIFTA Championships in Bridgetown Barbados saw Mackenzie Headley making a dream debut for Team Jamaica.
Competing as a first year in the 15-17 age group she would medal in her very first final. Competing in the 100 metre butterfly she won the Bronze in a time of 1:05.10. She had posted a time of 1:04.63 in the heats. Silver went to Jillian Crooks of the Cayman Islands in 1:03.67 and the Gold to teammate Sabrina Lyn in a meet record of 1:02.14.
15-17 100 metre butterfly podium.Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe
To close Day One she was handed the duty of starting the 400 metre freestyle relay. The team was completed by Morgan Cogle, Leanna Wainwright and Sabrina Lyn. Headley handled the pressure with sublime confidence giving Team Jamaica an insurmountable lead with a split of 58.19. That would ensure that the young ladies representing the Black, Green and Gold would not only win the Gold but set a new national 15-17 and CARIFTA record of 3:58.87.
Mackenzie receiving 50 metre butterfly Gold .Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe
Day two saw her sizzle in the heats of the 50 metre butterfly. She crushed her personal best of 28.60 with the top seed of 28.07. That took her within striking range of the 2019 record of 28.00 of CARIFTA Championships legend Chade Nersicio from Curaçao.
Chadé Nercisio before her race
Photo courtesy of Michael Lyn
In the final she changed gear in the final when she clocked 27.79, a new national 15-17 record and CARIFTA record. She is now the second fastest female swimmer ever at the Championships. Only Naele Portecop of Guadeloupe and France has swum faster with her 13-14 record of 27.78. Headley is also the second fastest Jamaican performer of all time behind legendary Olympian Alia Atkinson with her senior national mark of 26.54.Atkinson set the national standard in a Silver medal winning performance at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games.
50 metre butterfly podium .Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe
Silver went to teammate Zaneta Alvaranga in 28.00 and the Bronze to Rhaniska Gibbs of the Bahamas. Team Jamaica has the second and third fastest performers at CARIFTA as Alvaranga swam 27.84 in an epic 13-14 duel with Portecop in 2018 in Jamaica.
Naele atop the medal podium after being awarded the Gold medal in 50 metre butterfly for 13-14 girls
Photo courtesy of Sports of Jamaica
The event also marks another Jamaican success story for Suffield Academy. Shaunie Johnson, a graduate of the Academy had won the Bronze in 2018 in a then 15-17 national record of 28.52. There would be another record setting performance in the 400 medley relay. Headley contributed a breaststroke split of 1:15.49 as the same quartet took the win 4:28.81. That was a new 15-17 national mark.
15-17 50 metre butterfly podium from left to right Elinah Philip,Nercisio and Johnson Photo courtesy of Mike C Lyn
Day three saw Headley just outside the medals in the 50 metre breaststroke with a Championship final time of 33.59. She had set a personal best in the heats with a time of 33.48. Headley ensured that the day ended with more precious metal as she provided the fastest Jamaican split in the 800 metre freestyle relay 2:10.40. Team Jamaica won the Silver in 8:53.87. Gold was won by the powerful Team Cayman unit that set a meet record of 8:42.17.
The FANTASTIC FOUR form left to right Wainwright, Cogle ,Lyn and Headley .Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe
The final day saw her winning the Bronze in the 50 metre freestyle with a swim of 26.64. Her heats time would have tied with Gold medal winner Crooks of the Cayman Islands who took the event in the same time. Silver went to Alvaranga in 26.49. Headley would end the meet starting off the 200 metre freestyle relay. The “FANTASTIC FOUR” produced the fastest ever CARIFTA region time of 1:47.91.
Her magnificent efforts in her debut age group competition has led to her being called up for her first senior national duties at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham England from July 29 to August 3.The future looks bright for Paris 2024.
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.
Swimmers at the Jamaican time trials at the National Aquatic Centre continue to impress with the quality of their swims. Their improvement can be gauged by those hitting international benchmarks such as the Pan American Junior Games standards. One of those swimmers who elevated their level of performance is Christanya Shirley of the Y Speedos.
At time trial # 1 on May 8 in her very first race she placed second in 27.85 in the 13 and over 50 metre freestyle. Victory went to Tornadoes standout Aliyah Heaven in 27.47. Shirley agonizingly close to the PAN AM Jrs B time of 27.83. Fast forward to May 29 and that deficit was erased. Christanya stroked her way to a new personal best of 27.73. Heaven continued her rich vein of form with yet another personal best taking the win in 27.23.
Shirley adds her name to the young ladies born between 2007 and 1999 who have bettered the B standard
Zaneta Alvaranga
26.34
Gabrianna Banks
26.87
Emily MacDonald
26.90
Aliyah Heaven
27.23
Brianna Anderson
27.47
Britney Williams
27.77
Christanya Shirley . Photo courtesy of Suzette White
Rising to the occasion and setting Jamaican standards is nothing new to the young Shirley. In her last international competition at the UANA Swimming Cup in Peru she became the first Jamaican to win a Gold medal and set Championship record .She won the 11-12 50 metre freestyle in a time of 28.45. She has three individual national records in the 8 and under ager group and and six in the 9-10 age group. Her 11-12 years were severely curtailed by the pandemic.
Christanya Shirley Photo courtesy of David Mullings
Draftingthecaribbean spoke to the rising talent about her near miss in in the first time trial and getting the job done yesterday
“I did a 27.85 in the 50 metre freestyle and the PAN AM Jrs B time was 27.83.I was really happy when I saw the time that I did because I finally reached the 27 seconds bracket. But I was a bit disappointed when I found out that I had missed the PAN AM time by two hundredths of a second. This weekend I went in just to do my best. I was really excited to see my time of 27.73 and I had made the qualifying mark”.
Shirley has not only made improvement in the 50 metre freestyle but in all of her races since the restart of competition.
Event
Time
PB
50 metre breaststroke
36.80
38.54
100 metre freestyle
1:02.33
1:03.33
200 metre freestyle
2:24.49
2:26.42
50 metre breaststroke
36.51
36.80
She is a part of the rising wave of swimmers that need to be nurtured and developed during this new Olympic cycle.
Another successful staging of the Karl Dalhouse Memorial was held this past weekend at the National Aquatic Centre in Kingston Jamaica. The meet had an international flair with the presence of teams from the United States, The Cayman Islands and Bolivia. The Y Speedos hosted event saw a number of record breaking performances and top swims.
Jillian Crooks Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
Leading the way was Jillian Crooks of Camana Bay Aquatics from the Cayman Islands. The 13 year old took down two national 13-14 records. In the 50 metre freestyle she lowered the 26.97 record held by Allison Jackson to 26.83.
Alison Jackson with one her Gold medals won at the 2017 CARIFTA Championships held in The Bahamas
Photo courtesy of Michael Lyn
She also lowered the meet record held by Zaneta Alvaranga of 27.70. It is also the fastest time ever recorded at the meet by a girl.
Emily MacDonald CARIFTA record holder
In her sights will be the CARIFTA record of 26.73 held by Emily MacDonald and the CCCAN record also held by Emily at 26.48.
Zaneta Alvaranga , the English speaking Caribbean’s fastest 13-14 girl Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe
. The fastest time by an English speaking swimmer from the CARIFTA region is 26.34 set by Alvaranga in November at the Dean Martin Memorial in Kingston. It was also the best FINA points rated individual swim of the meet. Her sprint earned her 686 points.
Lauren Hew
Photo courtesy of caymanreporter.com
Jillian also took the down 100 metre backstroke record of Lauren Hew with a new record of 1:05.74. Hew had set a national standard of 1:07.21 in winning the event in a then Championship record at the 2014 CARIFTA Games in Aruba.
Former record holder in the 15- 17 girls 100 metre backstroke Kendese Nangle in 2011
Photo courtesy of Michael C Lyn
Falling along the wayside was the meet record of 1:09.23 set by Jamaican age group standout Kendese Nangle from 2009 .
McKayla Lightbourn
.Also bettered was the fastest time ever done by 13-14 girl in the event of 1:08.00 set by Bahamian McKayla Lightbourn at the 2007 CARIFTA Games in one of the most dominant individual displays at the Championships.
Event
Time
Medal
Record
800 metre freestyle
9:18.65
Gold
CR
200 metre breaststroke
2:38.67
Gold
CR
200 metre freestyle
2:09.74
Gold
CR
100 metre backstroke
1:08.00
Gold
CR
400 metre IM
5:00.35
Gold
CR
200 metre IM
2:22.80
Gold
CR
50 metre breaststroke
35.04
Gold
CR
200 metre butterfly
2:25.43
Gold
400 metre freestyle
4:31.05
Gold
CR
100 metre breaststroke
1:16.24
Gold
200 metre backstroke
2:26.05
Gold
CR
13-14 100 backstroke champion and senior national record holder Danielle Titus of Barbados
Jillian will have a chance to go after the CARIFTA record and fastest English speaking record for the region held by Barbadian star Danielle Titus of 1:05.61. Also on notice will be the CCCAN record of 1:05.11 set by Celismar Guzman of Puerto Rico set in 2015.
Jordan Crooks
In the land of the sprinters older brother Jordan crushed the 50 freestyle meet record of 24.44 by Sidrell Williams by almost a second .He stopped the clock in 23.50. That time was just off his 23.48 set recently at the TYR Pro swim series in Knoxville Tennessee that would have in the top 100 swims by 18 and under swimmers globally. He also had the most FINA points at the meet for a single event with that swim amassing 744 with 51.60 100 metre freestyle blast. At CARIFTA in 2019 he won the Silver with an effort of 53.24 Jordan will be looking to take the title of CARIFTA’s fastest swimmer in Barbados.
Shaune Fraser
Photo courtesy of shaunefraser.com
The last time the Cayman Islands lifted the crown was when CARIFTA legend Shaune Fraser won in the 15-17 title 2005 in Curacao with a time of 24.38. That year saw another outstanding and dominant display of versatility by Shaune at the annual regional Championships.
Event
Time
Medal
50 metre freestyle
24.38
Gold
100 metre freestyle
52.08
Gold
200 metre freestyle
1:54.94
Gold
400 metre freestyle
4:08.46
Gold
1500 metre freestyle
17:10.31
Gold
50 metre backstroke
28.20
Gold
100 metre backstroke
1:00.36
Gold
200 metre backstroke
2:11.42
Gold
50 metre butterfly
26.10
Silver
100 metre butterfly
56.74
Gold
200 metre butterfly
2:07.16
Gold
200 metre IM
2:09.23
Gold
400 metre IM
4:44.60
Gold
This year’s CARIFTA again promises to be the stage when we see names such as Jordan, Lamar Taylor and DaVante Carey of the Bahamas, Jayhan Odlum Smith among the protagonists likely to break the 23 seconds barrier.
The meet was won by the hosts with 862.50 points. They were followed by Tornadoes with 673 points and Camana Bay Aquatic Club.341
Meet records broken
Sabrina Lyn CARIFTA record holder in the 13-14 100 metre butterfly
The
recently concluded Dean Martin Memorial swim meet in Kingston Jamaica saw the
continued rise of Cayman’s Jordan Crooks.
The only swimmer with senior level international meet credentials to his resume he showed his class with a six Gold medal performance all in meet record time.
Jordan Crooks
In
the land of the sprinters Jordan crossed the 24 seconds barrier in the 50 metre
freestyle to be the fastest ever swimmer at this meet in 23.87. He easily
crushed his 2018 record in the 15 -16 age group of 24.60. The swim takes on
even greater significance as this is his season opener in the 50 metre pool and
he was battling illness at the time of his 50 metre blast.
The
Camana Bay Aquatics swimmer started his Gold medal run at the meet in the 100
metre backstroke lowering both the meet record of 1:03.75 and his personal best
of 1:02.27 to 1:01.70 .
The
reigning CARIFTA Champion in the 200 metre freestyle Crooks crushed the meet
record of 2:01.75 to become the first person under 2 minutes at the meet with a
time of 1:58.98.
He
smashed his meet record and his old personal best of 52.36 set at the 2019
World Championships in Gwangju South Korea to stop the clock in 52.26.At the
2019 CARIFTA Championships in Barbados earlier this year he won the Silver
medal in this event in 53.24.
There
would be a big personal best in the 100 metre butterfly when he took more than
a second off his personal best to land the Gold in 57.60 destroying his meet
record of 59.83.
In an event he rarely competes in the 400 metre freestyle Jordan set a new personal best and meet record of 4:30.30.The last time he swam it was in 2017 at this meet where he was was timed in 4:46.58.
Draftingthecaribbean
got his reaction to his efforts over the weekend
“I was very satisfied with my races this weekend.My results were better than I initially expected.I think my stamina has room for improvement in races like the 100 and 200 metre freestyle.The 50 metre freestyle was my favorite race of the meet and I was happy with the result”.
Zaneta Alvaranga, fastest ever 13-14 CARIFTA region swimmer at the Dean Martin meet Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
The 50 metre freestyle series proved to be quite quick as Zaneta Alvaranga of the Kaizen swim club set yet another sprint national record when she lowered the 13-14 standard in the 50 metre freestyle held by Emily MacDonald to 26.34 .She bettered the 26.44 set at the CAC Games in 2018. With the swim she now assumes the mantle of the fastest swimmer from the CARIFTA region. Zaneta had won the 13-14 CARIFTA sprint title in 26.76. Her swim this past weekend would have won her the Gold in the 15-17 age group and puts her in touching distance of the 15-17 record of 26.12 by Olympian Chinyere Pigot of Suriname.
Fastest CARIFTA region 13-14 Girls
Country
Name
Record
Year
Bermuda
Elan Daley
26.56
2019
Trinidad and
Tobago
Sobahn Cropper
26.66
1993
The Bahamas
Delany Mizell
26.96
2019
Aruba
Elisbet Timmer
27.01
2016
St Lucia
Naima Hazell
27.47
2019
Nathaniel Thomas
Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe
In the 13-14 boys 2019 CARIFTA and CCCAN Champion Nathaniel Thomas beat his meet record of 25.12 with a swim of 24.72. That also bettered the 24.87 he produced to win the CARIFTA title in Barbados earlier this year. It speaks to the possibility of a sub 24 seconds swim in 2020. Nathaniel was also faster than his CARIFTA Gold medal performance in the 100 metre butterfly 59.10 compared to 59.22. He was also joined under the minute mark by Kaheem Lozer of Kaizen who produced a huge personal best to touch in 59.92.
Jillian Crooks fastest ever 11-12 swimmer in the event in Jamaica Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
In
the 11-12 girls race Jillian, sister of Jordan took the event in 27.71.That swim
would have won the Gold medal in Barbados in her age group.
With her victories as this meet she has put a number of her national records on notice if given the chance to swim in the Olympic sized pool again before 2020.
Nathan Wright of Sailfish Swim Academy Photo courtesy of Arlett Campbell
One of the swimmers from the West making a name for his name at the meet was Nathan Wright of the Sailfish Swim Academy. He won the splash and dash in 29.76 lowering the meet standard of 29.83. In his sights for the the rest of the calendar year will be the national record of 29.27.
Jada Latibeaudiere,Amore Hunter,Sabrina Lyn,IrelandHunter
Tornadoes
200 metre freestyle
relay
13 and over
1:54.94
1:56.45
When the final race was swum Tornadoes Swim Club emerged victors with 802 points. Second went to the Y Speedos with 725 points and the Sailfish Swim Academy third on 215 points.
Night two of the 2019 CARIFTA 2019 swimming Championships provided yet another session of medals, records and excitement for Team Jamaica.The team at the end of Day Two had recorded 40 new personal bests and were in second place with 690 points and had 34 medals 11 Gold,16 Silver and Seven Bronze medals
The top performance again came from the 13-14 girls . This time it was Zaneta Alvaranga leading the way in the 50 metre butterfly.She gave Team Jamaica and fans on hand a signal of what was to come in the final when she eased to a time of 28.32 ,the fastest female time of the morning heats regardless of age group.
Zaneta Alvaranga Jamaica’s fastest ever female junior 50 metre butterfly swimmer displaying her Gold after recording the fastest female time at CARIFTA
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
SPEED AND POWER
In her signature event , the one lap butterfly sprinted she demonstrated why she is Jamaica’s fastest junior swimmer ever in the event.When the starter’s gun fired Zaneta worked her underwaters utilizing almost all of the 15 metres allowable to gain a tremendous advantage when she surfaced. After her breakout it was all about the clock as the field was well beaten. When she hit the pads it revealed a new personal best and national age group record of 27.84. Zaneta lowered her regional mark as the 13-14 fastest English speaking girl in the event. It would prove also be the fastest time by a girl on the night. That performance stands as the second fastest time ever done at CARIFTA by a girl as the 13-14 mark is held by Naele Portecop of Guadeloupe in 2018.She set that mark in Kingston in an epic championship final with Alvaranga where both young ladies recorded sub 28 seconds times of 27.78 and 27.94 respectively for Gold and Silver.In another podium dominated by Jamaica ,Sabrina Lyn won the Silver in a time of 29.13. The outstanding Bermudan swimmer Elan Daley , who broke Zaneta’s CARIFTA 11-12 record in 2018 and is of Jamaican parentage won the Bronze in 29.59.
11-12 girls 100 metre backstroke podium
from left to right Higo Cayman Silver, Wainwright Jamaica Gold,Judd Bermuda Bronze
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
HOW THE WEST WON
Leanna Wainwright showed no fear in her international outing and Championship final on Day one of these CARIFTA Championships to earn Bronze in the 50 metre backstroke. That confidence from winning that medal carried over to the morning heats of the 100 metre backstroke .She topped the girls 11-12 qualifiers with a morning effort and new PB of 1:12.23. In the evening she displayed that fearless attitude once again when she opened an early lead on the field heading into the turn.Displaying a level of determination well beyond her years Leanna held her nerve when the Cayman Islands Lila Higo made a late charge to win in another PB of 1:11.65. Higo won the Silver in 1:11.76. Imojen Judd, the 50 metre backstroke champion took the Bronze in 1:12.84. Leanna’s countrywoman Giani Francis placed fourth in 1:13.41.
Leanna Wainwright with 100 metre backstroke Gold
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
Wainwright,who is a product of Western Jamaican swimming put Jamaica back on top of the medal podium 12 years after age group record holder Kendese Nangle (1:08.49) who in front of a home crowd in 2007
GIRLS RELAY GOLD RUSH
On the 11-12 400 medley relay team only the very confident Kokolo Foster (breaststroke) had previous CARIFTA experience . The other members Leanna Wainwright (backstroke) Giani Francis (butterfly) and Christanya Shirley (freestyle) swam as the uninitiated do , with no inhibitions and not in awe of the occasion. That proved to pay great dividends as they dominated the final to win in a national and Championship record of 4:49.77. That crushed the old mark of 4:52.00 set by the 2002 CARIFTA team of Gillian Stewart,Tamari Farquharson,Kheri Ann Robinson and Rene Wright .Bermuda took the Silver in 4:52.93 with Cayman winning the Bronze in 4:59.98.
That sparked a chain reaction and the girls relay team went on a Golden hot streak.In the 13-14 Championship final Morgan Cogle gave the team a solid start with her backstroke split of 1:15.08. Sabrina Lyn recorded the fastest breaststroke split of her life of 1:15.23 to have Jamaica challenging for the lead. Alvaranga dropped the hammer on the field with her butterfly split of 1:04.23 give Safiya Officer an insurmountable lead . Bahamian Delaney Mizell turned on the jets on the anchor leg but Officer had too much of an advantage as Jamaica won in 4:38.85. Team Bahamas took the Silver in 4:39.15 with Barbados taking the Bronze in 4:41.99.This is the second consecutive Gold for Jamaica in the event.
.Simone Vale backstroke 1:10.37 and Naomi Eaton breaststroke 1:23.27 gave Jamaica the platform for the second half of the relay to challenge for the medals. Emily MacDonald ‘s 1:04.42 butterfly leg ran down all the teams except for Trinidad and Tobago. It was left up to Britney Williams to keep the streak alive and she did not disappoint. She recorded the fastest 100 freestyle of her life of 58.77 to take the win in a total team time of 4:36.83.The swimmers from the twin island republic were second in 4:37.55 and Barbados third in 4:40.55.
Brady Macpherson Lewison 400 IM Gold medallist
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
MEDLEY MORNING GLORY
When debutante Brady MacPherson Lewison won the 11-12 boys 400 metre individual medley he created history for himself .He had won his first Gold medal in a time of 5:30.63, a time drop of over ten seconds. It was also the first time Jamaica had been been on podium in over two decades much less winning the Gold. The fastest time recorded by a Jamaican boy in the event was in recent years was 2010 when Kevaughn Campbell placed fourth in 5:37.89.
PUTTING UP RESISTANCE
The boys also swam well out of their comfort zones to land podium places in the medley relays.In the 13-14 boys relay legs done Nathaniel Thomas backstroke 103.73, Jaedon Lynch breaststroke 1:14.77,Jaleel Samms 1:05.34 seemed to have Jamaica outside of medal contention. Cometh the moment,cometh Daniel Mair. Known primarily for his distance and open water freestyle exploits Mair presented his sprint credentials on the anchor freestyle leg .He swam a lifetime best split 56.42 to give Jamaica the Bronze medal edging French Guiana by mere .09 of a second 4:20.26 to 4:20.35. Team TTO won in 4:13.76 with Bahamas taking the Silver in 4:16.65.
In the 15-17 category it was always going to be an uphill task against the mighty Bahamians who had the 100 metre backstroke champion in Davante Carey,CARIFTA record holder in the 100 metre breaststroke Izaak Bastian, 100 metre butterfly champion Ian Pinder and Kevon Lockhart. Nicholas Vale gave Jamaica a good shot a medal with his opening 100 metre backstroke split of 1:01.33, almost a new PB. What made the difference for Jamaica to break out the the chasing pack was a lifetime best effort of 1:06.62 by Cameron Brown on the breaststroke leg.That allowed Jordane Payne butterfly 1:00.66 and Kyle Sinclair freestyle 54.08 to push for the Silver with no real challenge in a total team time of 4:02.69. That was just off the national record of 4:01.27.
Nathaniel Thomas Silver medallist 100 metre backstroke
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
The medal session on the opening night of the 2019 CARIFTA Championships at the Aquatic session in Barbados yielded a treasure trove of medals for Team Jamaica. The highlight of the session was yet another record breaking performance by Sabrina Lyn in the 13-14 girls 100 metre butterfly.
Sabrina Lyn ,Jamaica fastest ever junior swimmer in the 100 metre butterfly powering her way to Gold in a new PB,NAGR,CR and PAN AM B time of 1:03.19
Photo courtesy of Harold Wilson
Lyn entered the final with a new personal best as well as the national age group record and Championship record of 1:03.47. Added to those accolades was the fact that she had also become Jamaica’s fastest ever junior swimmer in the record with her morning swim. In the final when the gun sounded the battle was close with the field . After the turn Lyn proved why she is the best female junior swimmer Jamaica has ever produced in the event when she pulled away for an emphatic win. The scoreboard bore that out when it revealed yet another personal best, national age group record, Championship record and PAN AM B qualifying mark of 1:03.19.Lyn , who is Jamaica’s fastest ever female swimmer in the event at CARIFTA was joined on the podium by teammate Zaneta Alvaranga .Zaneta powered her way to the Silver in 1:05.07. This is the second consecutive year Jamaica is dominating the podium. In 2018 Emily MacDonald and Alvaranga provided the one two punch atop the podium in front of their home crowd in Kingston.Lyn’s junior regional Gold medal count in the event now stands at four
2017 CARIFTA 11-12 1:07.49
2017 CCCAN 11-12 1:05.69
2018 CCCAN 13-14 1:03.82
Nathaniel Thomas double gold medallist in the 50 metre backstroke and 100 metre butterfly in the 13-14 age group
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
Also in fantastic form in the 13-14 age group was her teammate Nathaniel Thomas.He broke the 28 seconds barrier to take the 50 metre backstroke Gold in a time of 27.82. This is a huge improvement for Thomas who was sixth last year in 30.12. The last time Jamaica was on top of the podium was 2011 when Olympian Timothy Wynter took Gold in 27.76. The Gold rush would not stop there as he would also take the 100 metre butterfly in a time of 59.22.The last time Jamaica featured in the podium party was 2015 when Jesse Marsh took the Bronze in 59.80.It was another big jump in performance as he finished fourth in 2018 in 1:01.53.
Emily MacDonald went from becoming the 13-14 100 metre butterfly champion in 2018 to lifting the 15-17 crown 12 months later.Emily continued the Gold medal hot streak Team Jamaica winning three consecutive races as the nation had just captured titles in the 13-14 age group.She stopped the clock in 1:05.85. This put Team Jamaica back among the medals after last being on the podium in 2016 when Kelsie Campbell won Gold in 1:04.99.
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
Brianna Anderson lowered her own 15-17 national record of 30.44 to 30.22 to claim Silver in the Championship final. Jamaica’s fastest ever junior sprint backstroker improved upon her 2018 position where she claimed the Bronze in a time of 31.01.
In the 13-14 age group Zaneta Alvaranga shattered her personal best of 32.49 to win the Bronze in a time of 31.77. With that swim she has put the national record of 31.02 set by Angara Sinclair on notice. She emulates Anderson’s 2017 performance when she had stopped the clock in 31.59.
11-12 50 metre backstroke podium
Francis Silver Jamaica Imojen Judd Bermuda Gold ,Wainwright Jamaica Bronze
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
In the 11-12 age group Giani Francis also issued a national record threat when she won Silver in a personal best time of 32.68. The national record stands at 32.08 set by Kendese Nangle in 2007.
Leanna Wainwright
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
Jamaica dominated the podium as Leanna Wainwright at her first CARIFTA Championships which serves as her international debut and making her first ever Championship final produced the goods to win Bronze in a new personal best of 33.28.This speaks volumes of the great work being done in swimming at the western end of the island.
Giania Francis posing with Silver medal won in the 11-12 girls 100 metre butterfly
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
Francis would also take the Silver in the 100 metre butterfly with a personal best effort of 1:10.17.That ended a two year medal drought in the event for Jamaica. Teammate Brady MacPherson Lewison also earned a medal in the event in that age group .He took the Bronze in a time of 1:07.49.
Kokolo Foster on the podium after winning Silver in the 200 metre breaststroke
Photo courtesy of Mike Critchlow
The session started on a good note when Kokolo Foster dropped almost three seconds to win the Silver in the 11-12 200 metre breaststroke event in a time of 2:53.61.
In the distance events Britney Williams placed fifth overall 15-17 girls 800 metre freestyle after being the fastest in the morning heats with her time of 9:39.41. Teammate Naomi Eaton placed 11th overall with her morning effort of 10:02.80.Daniel Mair placed seventh overall after he swam 18:34.56 in the morning heats of the 13-14 boys 1500 metre freestyle , a new personal best
The 13-14 girls team of Safiya Officer 1:03.56, Raine Hopkins 1:04.70,Morgan Cogle 1:01.26 and a fantastic anchor by Sabrina Lyn in 58.32 won Silver in the 400 metre freestyle relay in 4:07.84.
The 13-14 boys team of Daniel Mair 57.17 ,Zachary Jackson Blaine 58.75,Jaedon Lynch 58.87 and Nathaniel Thomas 56.16 also won Silver in 3:50.95.
The 15-17 boys team of Nicholas Vale 55.07,Jordane Payne 56.68,Cameron Brown 55.47 and Kyle Sinclair claimed the Bronze in 3:40.66
The 2018 edition of the ISSA Championships saw Immaculate Conception High School and Campion College retaining their titles. Immaculate won the female title amassing 519 points down from their 575 total last year. Campion College girls and St Andrew high School finished second and third scored 373 and 255 points increasing their tally from 2017. In the boys section Campion College boys retained their title with a points score of 442.50 points widening their winning advantage by over 100 points as Wolmer’s Boys placed second with 338 points. Third went to Kingston College with 199 points more than doubling their points performance from 2017.
Twelve individual meet records were broken and the relay standards were reset five times. Fittingly the top record setters came from the winning schools Nathaniel Thomas of Campion College in the 13-14 age group and Zaneta Alvaranga of Immaculate also in the same age group.
Nathaniel Thomas
Thomas was prolific in setting meet records in the 50 metre backstroke,50 metre freestyle, 100 metre freestyle and Campion’s relays in the 13-14 200 metre freestyle and medley relays.He won the high point trophy for his age group with 27 points. In the very first event event Thomas crushed his personal best of 29.69 and the meet record of 29.70 by Kyle Sinclair to record the fastest time ever swum at the meet of 28.85.The previous best ever performance was 28.89 done by national age group standout Todd Johnson of Wolmer’s Boys in 2003 in the 17 and over age group
In speaking to draftingthecaribbean he said “there is still work to be done and he hopes to better his times again at the next meet” .He said he “was relaxed and focused for the start of each race”. At CARIFTA 2018 held in Kingston earlier this year he had placed sixth while battling illness . His time on Friday would have won him the Silver medal in the event.
Campion college 13-14 200 metre freestyle relay from left to right Daniel Mair,Thomas, Joshua Alleyne and Jaleel Samms Photo courtesy of Jodi Mair
In all his individual races Thomas had the fastest performances of the meet. The quality of those swims extended to the relays and the combined efforts of his teammates that posted the top times in the freestyle and medley relays. In the freestyle relay the team of Daniel Mair, Joshua Alleyne, Jaleel Samms and Thomas posted the best time of the meet of 1:49.01.In the 200 medley relay the quartet of Thomas, Joshua Mair , Samms and Daniel Mair were the best on the day posting a time of 2:02.38
Campion College record breaking 13-14 200 metre medley relay from left to right Daniel Mair,Jaleel Samms, Joshua Mair and Thomas Photo courtesy of Jodi Mair
THOMAS RECORDS
Event
Time
Old record
50 metre backstroke
28.85
29.70
50 metre freestyle
25.47
25.48
100 metre freestyle
55.71
55.98
200 metre freestyle relay
1:49.01
1:49.14
200 metre medley relay
2:02.38
2:04.76
Zaneta Alvaranga Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
Alvaranga was equally as dominant in her events. She won four individuals and a relay event all in meet record time. Zaneta amassed 36 points. Arguably her best race of the meet was the 50 metre butterfly where she took off more than a second off the record of 31.04 to record a time of 29.61, the first ever sub 30 seconds clocking of the meet. Also under the record was Campion’s Paig’e Lewis who won Silver 30.71. Alvaranga is the reigning CARIFTA Silver medallist in this event. In the 50 metre breaststroke she and Campion ‘s Sabrina Lyn got under the old meet record of 37.38 with Gold and Silver medal winning times of 36.46 and 37.02 respectively.She combined with Imani Salmon, Brooke Hopkins and Safiya Officer to down the 2016 meet record of Campion College of 2:19.07 to post the fastest time ever at the meet of 2:13.52.
ALVARANGA RECORDS
Event
Time
Old record
50 metre freestyle
27.64
27.98
50 metre breaststroke
37.38
36.46
100 metre freestyle
1:02.47
1:02.70
50 metre butterfly
31.04
29.61
200 metre medley relay
2:13.52
2:19.70
Kokolo Foster 12 and under 50 metre breaststroke record holder Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
Also winning high points trophies for their age groups were Kokolo Foster of Immaculate Conception and Joshua Mignott of Campion College with 29 and 25 points respectively.
Joshua Mignott Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
Paris Clare of St Andrew High School with 34 points and Kito Campbell of Calabar high school with 31 points in the 15-16 age category.
Britney Williams Photo courtesy of Lynval Lowe
Wolmerians Britney Williams and Jordane Payne topped the 17 and over age group.Williams scored 32 points while Payne had the highest point total of the meet with 45.
The 2018 edition of the Walter Lowi Swim meet returned after a one year hiatus .It also returned to its original sprint origins which comprised of 50 and 100 metre races. The swimmers took to this return with great relish as the age group swimmers stroked their way to 33 meet records.
Christanya Shirley Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
One of the swimmers that stood out on the meet on November 17 at the National Aquatic Centre was young Christanya Shirley of the Marlins Swim club in the 9-10 age group. Shirley who will be eligible for CARIFTA selection in January put in yet another great showing winning four Gold medals and all in meet record times. The most impressive of which was the 100 metre freestyle. She crushed the field by more than 10 seconds to win a new national record of 1:06.12. In stopping the clock at that time she lowered the 2015 record of 1:07.33 by Zaneta Alvaranga set back in Dec 2015.Alvaranga also held the meet record at 1:08.65 also set in 2015. There would almost be another national record effort in the 50 metre backstroke as she won by 7 seconds to touch the pads in 36.21 breaking the 2007 meet record of 36.75 by fellow Marlins swimmer Stefani Webley but just missing Webley’s national record of 35.75 set in December of the same year. Shirley’s other meet records would be in the 50 metre butterfly where she won by five seconds lowering Kendese Nangle’s 2005 standard of 34.39. In the 50 metre breaststroke she won by four seconds to lower Gabrielle Black’s 2010 standard of 42.13 to 41.33.
Nathaniel Thomas 13-14 record breaker in the 50 and 100 metre butterfly and 50 and 100 metre freestyle Photo courtesy of Cheser Adams
Another swimmer who provided a four star performance on the day was Nathaniel Thomas of the Tornadoes Swim Club who competed in the 13-14 age group. Thomas recorded all personal best for his wins. In the 50 metre butterfly he won by over a second to claim the Gold in 26.71 , a time that would have won Gold in that age group at this year’s CARIFTA Championships held in Kingston. It was also the fastest 50 metre butterfly time on the day.He took more than a second off the 2010 standard of 27.78 set by Sidrell Williams and has more than a year left in the age group to go after the national record of 26.22 set by Olympian Timothy Wynter in 2011. In the 100 metre freestyle he took nearly three seconds off another 2010 Williams standard of 58.55 when he recorded his first sub 56 time of 55.97. The 100 metre butterfly saw him breaking the minute mark and crushing the 2006 standard of Ramon Walton of 1:03.33. That effort would have won him the Gold at CARIFTA this year. He closed out the meet with almost his first sub 25 seconds performance in the 50 metre freestyle as he touched the wall in 25.09. That broke Williams’ 2010 standard of 26.03. His effort would have also won the Bronze at CARIFTA this year. In speaking to draftingthecaribbean yesterday Thomas gave this assessment of his performances
“My performances at Walter Lowi this weekend was very good .I achieved a lot of best times and I think this meet compared to CARIFTA this year was much better mainly because I think I got fitter and faster.I think CARIFTA was a little rough because I still adjusting to the new age group and also I was sick.This meet was a very good opportunity for me to get all my sprint times down and I think the next meet I can do even better. I have been improving a lot since CCCAN (July in Aruba) and in terms of training it has gotten hard and more intense and I think that has been a big factor in my improvement. I am looking forward to CARIFTA and CCCAN in 2019 to do a lot better than this year”.
The Y Speedos remained unbeaten for the calendar year 2018 as they won the meet with 710 points, Second went to the Tornadoes with 575 points and third to Swimaz with 252. The top five was rounded out by Marlins and Aquamarine Riplles with 208 and 168 points respectively.
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