Moore Wins Gold, Washington Claims Bronze

[Updated] Bermuda’s top young swimmers picked up two medals — one gold — on the first day of the 2013 Carifta Swimming Championships in Jamaica, with both Jesse Washington and Madelyn Moore claiming medal wins in record setting style.

Madelyn Moore, 12, swam to victory in the 11-12 girls 50m backstroke finals to claim Bermuda’s first gold medal in a time of 32.84.

13-year-old Jesse Washington won the bronze medal during the 13-14 boys 100m butterfly in a time of 1:01.17. Both swimmers set new Bermuda age group records.

National Swim Coach Ben Smith said, “The first day was very exciting to watch. Our medalists from last year Jesse Washington and Shannon Hassell have seen the challenge of moving up to the 13-14 age group. Maddie Moore looked amazing in taking her gold medal and I am very proud of her swim.”

Other Bermuda swimmers saw action including Shannon Hassell, Vanessa Esposito, Megan Lau, Ashley Irby, Ethan Daley, Alex Pilgrim, Evan Farrow, Shannon Botelho, Sophie Froud, Dejan Wellman, Emma Harvey, Josh Irvine, Alexander McCallum, Emma Franklin and Vaughn Rowse.

The swimming portion of the Carifta Games is being held in Jamaica, while the track and field segment is being held in the Bahamas. The two medals won by the swimmers add to the two medals won by the track and field athletes, giving Bermuda four medals on the first day of the combined Carifta competition.

You can view all our coverage of the Carifta Games here.

Update 11.12am: Shadow Sports Minister Michael Weeks today extended congratulations to Bermuda’s Carifta team for their string of successes on the first day at the Carifta Games.

Mr. Weeks said, “The opportunity to represent Bermuda on the world stage is an honour and a privilege that our young people have embraced admirably. On behalf of the people of Bermuda, I wish to acknowledge the hard work, sacrifice and dedication that have seen several medals awarded and a spirited sense of competition throughout the course of the Carifta Games.

“From Sakari Famous our first medalist in this games; Madelyn Moore and Jesse Washington, who won the Gold and Bronze Medals in the Carifta Swimming Championships in Jamaica, to Kyrah Scraders who won the silver medal in the Under 17 1500 meters, the first day of competition has been great for our athletes and for Bermuda.”

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